Ross-Cope ready to enjoy international debut, aged 38

By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat

MICHELLE Ross-Cope vowed to make it a birthday to remember for youngest daughter Francesca after being selected for her first major championship race.

EXCITED: Michelle Ross-Cope will make her marathon debut for Great Britain aged 38 at the European Championships

The City of Stoke road runner will take her place in the Great Britain marathon team at the European Championships in Barcelona on July 31 - the same day Francesca turns seven.

The 38-year-old, pictured, has two other daughters - 14-year-old Georgia and eight-year-old Alexandra - and it will be a family affair in Catalonia with all three children making the trip to offer their support.

Ross-Cope missed this year's London Marathon with a torn calf, but bounced back to form by winning last month's Potters 'Arf women's title in a record time of 1.15.40 minutes.

And with Paula Radcliffe currently taking a break for the sport, as she waits to give birth to her second child in September, before challenging for the Olympic titled also aged 38, Ross-Cope could be an inspiration.

"This is my first major championships and I can't wait," said Ross-Cope, who is currently at a high altitude training camp in the French Pyrenees.

"I've done a couple of big half-marathon events, but nothing like this. It is going to be a real test. It's actually Francesca's seventh birthday on the day of the race, so I've got an extra incentive to do well."

Ross-Cope's last marathon outing came in November in New York, but she's set her sights on lowering her personal best of 2.36.02mins, set in London last year, when she lines up in Spain.

"Winning the Potters 'Arf in record time gave me a boost," added Ross-Cope, who will be joined in the marathon by Helen Decker, Susan Partridge, Rebecca Robinson, Holly Rush, and Jo Wilkinson.

"The calf problem came at the worst possible time as getting another London Marathon in the bank was a big aim.

"But I've got myself fit and I'm now counting down to Barcelona.

"I don't know a lot about the course, but it's going to be really hot so I hope there is plenty of shade.

"I'm looking forward to pushing my PB this time around and if I do that I will be really pleased."