Severn Athletic Club’s emerging distance talent Forest Of Dean athlete Alex Rawlings,(seventeen in March) may not get an early opportunity to see if he can match his cross-country and road race performances on the track if the 2020 track season is cancelled.
The grandson of Severn’s multiple veteran international distance champion Les Davis, Alex was building a football reputation until breaking his tibia & fibia in April 2016. Recuperating, he tried a local 5K Parkrun running 20:10 in June 2017, a medication intolerance delayed further efforts. He was soon winning local Parkruns and improving in his races in the Gloucestershire Cross-Country League.
“The big difference was when Severn coach Rob Cytlau started setting me schedules in spring 2018” says Alex.
Progress in road & cross-country was steady through 2018-19. Building on an excellent distance training platform, the 2019-20 winter season has been one of constant improvement. He became at 16 the youngest champion of the Bristol Phomphrey Hill 5K Road Race series and in late winter won the silver medal in the Midland Under 17 cross-country championship and bronze in the South West Senior Schools event. He came down with a bump in the National Senior Schools under 20 race when 59th of 250 runners. “I learnt a lot about pacing and getting in the right tactical position”.
Alex was eager to find if his fast sprint finishes suit the swifter cadence of the 800,1500 & 3000 metre track distances. Then lockdown and no races.
“I’m keeping to Rob’s schedules, the forest paths isolation helps. It looks like the London Mini Marathon on October 4th could be the next race”.
Alex’s road PB’s are impressive for a 16 year old. 5K 15:40, 4 Mile 21:15, 5 Mile 27:29 & 10K 34:44.
The immediate big target “To beat Grandad’s PB’s”.
Severn AC 
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