TROWBRIDGE mum Jackie Rockliffe has been awarded her first England vest, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 46-year-old has been selected to represent her country for the first time at the British & Irish Masters Cross Country International in Glasgow a week on Saturday.

“I didn’t get selected for the Cardiff 10k when I went on to beat two women who were in the England team so I put myself forward for the international in Glasgow,” said Rockliffe, who is a member of Avon Valley Runners.

“Now I have just found out I have been selected and I am so pleased. To think it was just a few years ago that I was selected to run for Wiltshire for the first time.

“That was the best moment of my career then and now I am getting my first England vest. It will be nerve-wracking but I am looking forward to it.”

News of selection came hard on the heels of yet another Rockcliffe personal best. After an autumn in which she notched up lifetime bests over 10k in Cardiff, clocking 38mins 16secs and 84:40 in the Bristol half marathon, she smashed her PB over 5k last week.

Running the Aztec West Fast 5k road race in north Bristol Rockliffe, she finished third overall in a sizzling time of 18mins 01secs, to go fifth in the UK Rankings in the over 45 age category.

“When I crossed the finish line I thought my watch was wrong!” added Rockliffe.

“I was aiming for around 18mins 30secs so had no idea I was going that fast. My previous best was 18:35 and I ran that in 1996.”

In addition the time was a new AVR club record and on a personal level Rockliffe was also proud that the time was faster than her dad ever managed in his long running career.

Throw in a PB of 3hrs 3mins 17secs in the London Marathon and 2016 is proving to be an amazing year for Rockliffe.

“I am pushing myself more in training and everything I do with Steve (coach Steve Williams) is more structured,” explained Rockliffe.

“It is certainly paying off.”