Schoolgirl Angel sets sights on Paralympics (From The Argus)
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Portslade schoolgirl Angel Mills sets sights on Paralympics
3:50pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News
Angel Mills competing in the Brighton Half Marathon
By Gareth Davies
An inspirational schoolgirl has her sights set on future Paralympics success after completing a half marathon youth race.
Angel Mills, 12, from Portslade, completed the Brighton Half Marathon Youth Race at the weekend despite her cerebral palsy condition affecting her lower limbs.
The Portslade Aldridge Community Academy student donned her running shoes on Sunday, February 17 and braved the one mile route, having already completed the same race last year.
Val Mills, Angel’s mum, described her as an “inspiration” and revealed how her daughter proved her wrong.
She said: “She was fantastic and an inspiration to us all. She definitely put me to shame. I wouldn’t have been able to do what she does.
“Before she ran the race last year I was thinking ‘I don’t think she can do it’ but she proved me wrong. She really enjoyed it and has made me so proud.”
Training commitment
Angel prepared for this year’s half marathon by training for five weeks with the council-funded Active for Life project in Portslade.
The group has been running since 2005, supporting people living within specific communities in Brighton and Hove to live active lifestyles.
The project caters for all ages and provides advice and guidance to people looking to take part in local sport and physical activity.
Having been a keen admirer of last year’s Paralympic Games, Angel has her sights set on competing in the competition in the future.
Mrs Mills said: “She watched the success of last year’s Games and said she wants to be part of Team GB, either in wheelchair rugby or running the 100 metres.”
Youth race
This year’s Half Marathon Youth Race saw more than 380 runners cross the finish line. The race was divided into four age categories of seven to ten year olds, 11 to 12, 13 to 14 and 15 to 17-year-olds.
Benedict Pugh, in the 15 to 17-year-old age category, took the overall male title by finishing the race in five minutes and 12 seconds. Nancy Jones from the 13 to 14-year-olds clocked the quickest female time in five minutes and 36 seconds.
Paul Bond, event manager, said: 'The one mile youth races are an important and integral part of Brighton Half Marathon race day and we are pleased to not just support emerging talent but also to give young runners the opportunity to be chip timed and experience crossing a big finish line.
“Taking part in the youth races is a great way for youngsters of all abilities to be a part of something big, with the aim to get kids into sports and build confidence.”
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mimseycal says...
8:46pm Sat 23 Feb 13