ST Albans runner Richard Derrick will be one of the first ever competitors to cross the finish line at the Olympic Stadium after being randomly selected from almost 43,000 hopeful ballot entries to claim a place in The National Lottery Olympic Park Run on March 31.
Richard won the chance, along with nine other successful ballot entries, to be put through his paces and pick up some running tips during an hour long training session with World 110m hurdles bronze medallist Andy Turner.
Limbering up at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Richard took part in drills, hurdle walking and a track session as well as getting the chance to quiz the European gold medallist on his training.
Richard said: “I run for St Albans Striders and run anything up to half marathons so five-miles is perfect.
“I can’t wait to run inside the Olympic Stadium. I wanted to going to the Olympic Park regardless so to run round there and then finish in the Stadium is a fantastic opportunity.
“The training session was great and I think we all picked up a few tips.”
European 110m hurdles gold medallist, Andy Turner added: “It was great to meet some of the lucky public who have this once in a lifetime opportunity to be the very first people to cross the Olympic Stadium finish line. They all worked really hard in the session so you can really see how much this means to them.
“The support The National Lottery provides British athletes makes such a difference to our training and the ability to win medals so it’s great to be able to celebrate the contribution of The National Lottery’s players to British sport with such a historic event.”
The National Lottery is contributing up to �2.2 billion towards the funding of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the venues and infrastructure where Britain’s athletes hope to fulfil their dreams.
Through mainstream funding, The National Lottery enables Britain’s elite competitors to train as full-time professionals and provides them with world-class support. From 2006 to 2013,
The National Lottery is providing in excess of �310 million to support over 1,200 potential Team GB and Paralympics GB athletes as they prepare for London 2012 and beyond.
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