Following her fine performance at last weekend’s ITU World Championships, Non Stanford has revealed she may contemplate a double at next years Commonwealth Games.
Already a dominant force in the triathlon world, the Welshwoman has now set her sights on competing in both the triathlon and 10,000 metres in Glasgow.
To carry out her ambition, Stanford must meet Welsh Athletics’ A standard of 33 minutes for the track event, a barrier she knows she can go under.
The 24-year-old ran 32 minutes and 39 seconds in March on the roads, to be selected though, she must run the time on the track, and during the qualification period which began April 1.
Stanford told the BBC: “I haven’t completely ruled it out. It would be really special to try and do the double.
“It would be tough, but I would have to sit down with my coach and discuss how plausible it would be.”
The triathlete won Saturday’s championship in extraordinary style. After incurring a 15 second penalty for not placing her wetsuit in the box, Stanford still came away with a 25 second winning margin.
The Swansea born athlete’s double may seem audacious to some, but the 24-year-old is no stranger to running, without the swim and cycle.
Before she switched to the triathlon, Stanford was a very successful runner, and represented Great Britain on both the track and cross country scene.
In 2004, her potential was noticed by Kelly Holmes, and the double Olympic champion has been her mentor and advisor ever since.
Stanford’s career as a runner was blighted in 2006 when reoccurring injuries kept her out of the sport for two years.
Studying at the University of Birmingham, she started swimming with the triathlon squad as a means of cross training, and in 2008 attempted her first triathlon, a move that has proved very fruitful since.
Stanford is yet to compete in the Commonwealth or Olympic championships, and will now gear her focus towards Glasgow.
“It will be an honour to stand on the start line representing Wales, ” the 24-year-old spoke.
“We don ‘t get a chance to do that very often and we are a very proud country.
“It would be a very special moment. “
