Capital runner Jake Wightman forgets beach and focuses on Birmingham

Jake Wightman claims he isn't ready to hit the beach after putting any celebration of his European Championship bronze in Berlin last week on hold.

Jake Wightman won bronze at the European Championships

The Capital runner, 24, drops down from 1500 metres to run the 800m in Saturday’s Muller Grand Prix in Birmingham with the target of qualifying for this month’s Diamond League final in Brussels. Tom McKean’s Scottish record of 1:43.88 is in his sights amid a top-class field.

“There are still chances to boost my reputation before the season ends,” he insisted. “It’s a nice time of year because the high-pressure stuff is done. If I got bronze last week, I should still be running well a week later. There are three weeks left of the season so I want to make the most of it rather than slipping into holiday mode. You always want to show consistency. I can’t use inexperience as an excuse now. When I was younger I couldn’t make it to the end running well but now I feel like I’ve got some momentum and I’d like to show it in Birmingham.”

The star-studded meeting features Edinburgh AC’s Chris O’Hare in the 1500 metres while European gold medallist Laura Muir will chase Kelly Holmes’ British 1000m best.