AFTER a very hard 2002 which included the Manchester Commonwealth Games and Turin World Cup, Bromsgrove & Redditch AC racewalker Sharon Tonks is now deep into the heavy grind of winter training.

On Sunday, however, she took a short break to do a little speed work, a 3km 'sprint' at the indoor track, NIA, Birmingham.

When the gun fired Sharon did her usual blast into the lead before the first bend. By half-distance she had lapped all but the second placed athlete. However, a combination of a very dry atmosphere and lack of real pressure caused a general loss of concentration and she crossed the finish line in 14m 14s.

Kate Horwell of Dudley & Stourbridge AC was second in 15m 08s.