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Hong Kong-raised Jake Smith ‘burst into tears’ after breaking national records at World Half Marathon Championships
- The 22-year-old recalls ‘best day of my life’ after breaking British U-23s and Welsh national half marathon records
- Smith, who trails only Mo Farah and Callum Hawkins, to start Tokyo 2020 qualifying campaign but in 10km discipline
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New Team GB golden boy Jake Smith says he is “still in shock” after his record-breaking 60:31.00 at the 2020 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Poland last weekend.
The 22-year-old Smith, who lived in Hong Kong for 16 years, was seen crying moments after finding out he bettered his personal best (PB) by 89 seconds, breaking several national records and becoming the third-fastest British half-marathon runner of all time – only behind Mo Farah and Callum Hawkins.
“I am still in shock even a few days after. As soon as I crossed that finish line I couldn’t quite believe it. I just burst into tears,” the Clear Water Bay- raised Smith said.
“I had been training for this for so long and to break my PB by 90 seconds just shows it has all worked out amazingly. It was such a good race and I was in the mix with world class athletes which makes it even better. Best day of my life so far.”
Smith had earned a senior Team GB debut spot at the championships after clocking a then-British U-23s record of 62:00.00 at the Vitality Big Half in London in March. His latest time means he has broken the record three times this year.
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