Herne Hill Harriers' Stacey Ward smashed her own 5,000m club record to finish second at Oxford BMC Grand Prix last weekend.

The meeting, held on the famous four-minute mile track at Iffley Road in Oxford, witnessed Ward clock 16 minutes 19.92 seconds and place an unexpected second, as well as knock almost three seconds off her previous record (16:22.13) set four weeks ago at the Watford BMC Grand Prix.

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Ward did not allow a sore throat and blocked nose to prevent her tracking the eventual American winner throughout, ignoring the fast early pace of a runaway leader who followed the pacemaker to 3k. but was then reeled in and finished fourth.

Following Ward's recent 12th place at the BBC televised British Championships, this cements her position as one of the most improved senior women in the UK this summer at the 5,000m distance.