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Tank Captures Steeplechase Gold at UK Championships
7/8/2023 1:15 PM | Cross Country, Track & Field
Former Utah cross country and track & field All-American Poppy Tank captured gold at the UK Championships.
MANCHESTER, England – Former Utah cross country and track & field All-American Poppy Tank captured gold in the 3000m steeplechase on a rainy Saturday afternoon inside Manchester Regional Arena at the UK Athletics Championships.
"Honestly it feels amazing to be a British Champ, I never win," Tank said to reporters after the race. "To win this in my third steeplechase event I'm delighted. I knew I could do it, I was nervous with the rain as I have never raced in these conditions before. I obviously would have liked to run faster and clock a sub-ten, but with the conditions we faced, I can't complain. This year is all about my development, and next year I'm going to have some big targets to hit."
Tank ran a brilliant race and was either with the front group or led the whole race before finishing with a PR time of 10:02.77. Saturday's race was just the third time she had competed in the steeplechase. Her first steeplechase race of the year came on May 27 at the BMC Grand Prix – which she won with a time of 10:04.88.
Her victory is the second gold captured by a Woman of Utah following Simone Plourde's victory at La Classique D'Athletisme de Montreal. It is also the third podium finish for the Utes after Josefine Eriksen took bronze in the 800m race at the Norwegian Championships.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"Honestly it feels amazing to be a British Champ, I never win," Tank said to reporters after the race. "To win this in my third steeplechase event I'm delighted. I knew I could do it, I was nervous with the rain as I have never raced in these conditions before. I obviously would have liked to run faster and clock a sub-ten, but with the conditions we faced, I can't complain. This year is all about my development, and next year I'm going to have some big targets to hit."
Tank ran a brilliant race and was either with the front group or led the whole race before finishing with a PR time of 10:02.77. Saturday's race was just the third time she had competed in the steeplechase. Her first steeplechase race of the year came on May 27 at the BMC Grand Prix – which she won with a time of 10:04.88.
PB and British champion ?
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) July 8, 2023
Can't ask for more than that from Poppy Tank!#UKChampsManchester pic.twitter.com/6b3CSl6hPH
Her victory is the second gold captured by a Woman of Utah following Simone Plourde's victory at La Classique D'Athletisme de Montreal. It is also the third podium finish for the Utes after Josefine Eriksen took bronze in the 800m race at the Norwegian Championships.
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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