One of Europe’s brightest young runners is being put through her paces at an athletics track in Exeter.
Eighteen-year-old Innes Fitzgerald has set the athletics world on fire in recent weeks with some astonishing performances.
The Exeter Harrier is rewriting the record books with her fearless front-running. In February, Innes smashed the European under-20 indoor 3,000m record by an incredible ten seconds and in the process took 16 seconds off Zola Budd’s British indoor under-20 record.
Innes trains at the City Council-run Exeter Arena under the close guidance of coach Gavin Pavey, who runs the Isca Endurance squad. Gavin is no stranger to success, having guided his wife Jo to medals at the World, European and Commonwealth Games level.
Innes balances her time between studies at Exeter University and her burgeoning athletics career.
Innes first made her mark in 2022, when as a relative novice, she smashed the UK under-17 women’s record to win the SIAB Schools International.
Transferring her talents to cross country, Innes then won a number of high-profile race, including two European under-20 titles and a number of national crowns. She finished fourth in the 3,000m at the World Under-20 Championships in Peru.
But despite all of her junior triumphs, Innes is keeping her feet firmly on the floor, as she juggles a busy schedule of university lectures, training sessions and competitions.
Innes said that since joining Exeter Harriers in 2022, she has not looked back: “My love for running has continued to grow and my desire to compete on the global stage is ever increasing.
She added: “I'm not one to set low expectations for myself, so to have already achieved some of my goals this winter feels truly incredible. This of course would not have been possible without the amazing support from Gavin and Jo Pavey who are helping guide me through this delicate progression into senior athletics.”
Gavin, who along with Jo and Innes is a member at Exeter Harriers, said: “I’m delighted with the progress Innes has made over the last three years. She trains very hard but our focus is very much on sustainable progression as her big goals lie in the future.”
Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services and Healthy Living, said: “Innes is a great example of how hard work can pay off. Not only that, she is an inspiration to us all, whether taking those first steps to a Couch to 5k, or just keeping fit and healthy by walking or running as part of regular exercise.”
Exeter Harriers train at Exeter Arena on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. To get involved, visit the Exeter Harriers website at https://exeterharriers.org.uk/
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