St Mary’s Endurance Performance Centre Associate Becomes World Champion

Jake Wightman, Associate of the Endurance Performance Centre (EPC) at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, has won the Men’s 1500m at the World Athletics Championships.

Hosted in Eugene, USA, the World Athletics Championships brings together the leading athletics talent from around the world to compete in a range of track and field disciplines.

Jake won the race in a time of 3:29.23, defeating current Olympic Champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who finished in second place in 3:29.27. He is the first British men’s 1500m world champion since Steve Cram won in 1983.

He has been an EPC Associate since 2017, using St Mary’s Athletics track, Strength and Conditioning and Sport Science facilities to support his training. During this time, he has competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games and three World Athletics Championships. He has also won Bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Athletics Championships.

Speaking of Jake’s success, EPC coach Craig Winrow said “The EPC athletes and coaches are delighted to see Jake win his first global medal. Jake is such a positive and inspirational person to have around St Mary’s and his win will certainly inspire our current EPC athletes”

Four other St Mary’s alumni have joined Jake to compete at the World Athletics Championships, including:

• Charlotte Purdue – Women’s Marathon (Team GB)
• Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – Men’s 4 x 100m Relay (Team GB)
• Adelle Tracey – Women’s 800m and 1500m (Jamaica)
• Jade Lally – Women’s Discuss (Team GB)