Newbury Athletic Club member Izzy Fry smashes personal best at Manchester Invitational

IZZY Fry shattered her personal best in the 5,000m by an incredible 12 seconds at the Manchester Invitational.

The Newbury Athletic Club star produced a stunning finish to pip Jenny Nisbett and clinch victory in a time of 15mins 49.85secs.

And she said: "Super happy to come away with a personal best, European under-23 Championship qualifying time and my first win for Team New Balance Manchester.

"It was my first track race of the season and I did not know what to expect."

The 21-year-old turned professional with Team New Balance after completing her university studies in London.

She said: "When I was at university, we could not train in groups or see my coach because of Covid.

"I moved to Manchester to join New Balance last month and two days later we were off to St Moritz for a training camp at altitude.

"Last year I ran a personal best of 16.02 in a tactical race at the British Championships, but this time it felt so good to go sub-15.50.

"I had a really consistent winter and coming back from altitude made a big difference.

"It is just good to be racing again."

Fry enjoyed a successful youth career, but decided to take the step to full-time athletics so she could focus fully on the sport.

She said: "I'm really enjoying it. We are training every day, apart from the odd rest day.

"It is mainly endurance work, but in the gym it is about getting more power and recovery.

"I have only been under the guidance of my coach Steve Vernon for 12 weeks and I have really enjoyed the whole environment, so it has been a good decision to go full time."

Fry's stunning run at Manchester means she is well in contention for the Euro under-23 championships in Tallinn, Estonia, from July 8-11.

She said: "The championships were due to be held in Bergen, Norway. That was cancelled because of the pandemic and I was gutted, but now it has been re-arranged.

"It is not a given that I will be going because there are still the trials at Watford on June 12.

"The winner will go automatically and then two others will be selected."

Fry is also setting her sights on the 1,500m and achieving a personal best in that distance this year.