TOP athlete Sarah Bentley will realise the ambition of a lifetime next month when she runs in the Commonwealth Games.

Sarah, aged 31, will be competing in the 10,000 metres at the games, being held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

For Sarah, from Alsager, the long-distance race will represent a dream come true for a runner who has competed at the top level in cross country.

"I have run in world and European cross country events, but the Commonwealth games will be my first major track championships,'' she said.

"I am looking forward to the whole experience, and it's a dream come true.''

Sarah is a member of Birchfield Harriers athletics club, and will be one of three women running for England in the 10,000 metres final on September 20.

She achieved the qualifying time of 34 minutes 30 seconds with a run of 33 minutes 59 seconds at Lisbon in Portugal in April, only her second 10,000 metres race.

She specialises in 5,000 metres, but has been unable to concentrate on that distance because of a throat infection.

"I really don't know where I will finish in the final, but I"m really going to Malaysia to get some experience,'' said Sarah.

She is putting in between 60 and 70 miles a week in training in preparation.

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