AFTER smashing a Lancashire sprint record that has stood since 1978, Millee Schofield could be on her way to her goal of an Olympic athletics place.
The 14-year-old from Baxenden, is a student at Haslingden High School and for over a year has been a member of Blackburn Harriers.
After notching up a personal best time for the 100m sprint of 12.6 seconds at the Lancashire County Track and Field Championships, the Harriers proclaimed her efforts as one of the ‘runs of the day’.
She will now go on to represent Lancashire in the English Schools Track and Field Championships 2022 being held at Manchester Regional Arena on July 8 and 9.
Millee said: “My mum and dad used to run when they were younger and when I was seven, they tried me on lots of different sports to see what I liked. I did football and gymnastics, but the only thing I really enjoyed was running.
“I joined Hyndburn Athletics when I was in primary school at St John’s in Baxenden, and then I moved up to Blackburn, because I thought the coaching was better.
“I would love to get to the Olympics and I want to beat the 100m world record; I have been saying that ever since I started running.
“The event in Manchester is very official and very important. I watch what I eat the week before a race, especially if it is a serious race and I have protein shakes in a morning and night and I drink a lot of water.”
Every Monday, dedicated Millee trains along with sprint and long and middle-distance runners from the Harriers at Burnley College with exercises focusing on her strength and conditioning.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she trains outdoors on the track at Witton Park.
She said: “Unlike some runners, I don’t remember my races afterwards. When I am running, I am mentally pushing myself, but afterwards I don’t remember what happened or what I was thinking; I only remember sections.
“My club is like a big family group and we all push each other and support each other. I would like to thank my dad Lee and mum Shelley for taking me everywhere and putting up with me.”
Her older sister Mia is at university, but she always messages Millee before every competition to wish her good luck.
Millee was first in the 100m at Lancashire Schools’ Athletics Championships in June in a time of 12.8 seconds and she recently competed in the Northern Inter-Counties Track and Field Championships in York representing Blackburn Harriers and came second in the U15s Girls’ 100m with a time of 12.81 seconds.
As well as the outdoor 100m and 200m events, she also competes in the indoor championships at the 60m and 200m races.
Her outdoor and indoor personal best for 200m is 26.5 seconds and for indoor 60m is 8.04 seconds.
She added: “I am aiming for sub 8 seconds next season.”
Besides running, for three years she has been a member of the Masters of Martial Arts in Accrington where she does jujitsu.