A Haslemere Border Athletics Club (HBAC) member has returned from representing Great Britain in the World Masters Athletics Championships half marathon.

Susan Payne – who is also a member of the England and Great Britain Masters athletics teams – finished in seventh place in her section in the half marathon in Tampere, Finland.

She competed against athletes from various countries, including Canada, Ukraine and Tunisia – as well as the Nordics and other European countries.

A total of about 300 competitors raced in the World Masters Championships half marathon, including approximately 125 women. Each section averaged about 15 runners – with 17 runners in Susan’s section.

Susan is coached by Dan Allaway at HBAC and Matt Long at England Athletics.

She was also part of the gold medal-winning England Masters team in the 10km international against Wales earlier this month.

Susan also won a bronze medal representing England Masters as an individual in the Chester half marathon.

The next race on her calendar is a 10km England Masters team international race in Bristol on September 25, followed by the London Marathon on October 2 and an England half marathon qualifier in Bath on October 16.

In March 2023, Susan hopes to compete in the World Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships in Torun, Poland.