HURDLER MARRS RIDING HIGH IN FAMILY BUSINESS

Megan Marrs wants to relish her debut for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships on Friday evening – three decades after her mother bestrode the international stage.

The 20-year-old from Belfast goes in the 60 metres hurdles at ArenaBirmingham just a fortnight after claiming the UK title at the same venue in a personal best of 8.16 seconds.

There have been huge strides forward this winter for the Loughborough-based prospect who came through the ranks at City of Lisburn AC before heading to UK Athletics performance base.

But it’s all been following in the footsteps of her Mum Debbie McDowell who was one of the country’s top high jumpers during her illustrious career.

“I found out the other day that the last (Northern Irish) woman to make a British team was my Mum,” Marrs said.

“She was the last one to make a European indoor team. She was British champion 30 years ago in 1988 so to carry on and be the next one is quite nice. To be able to carry on in the family tradition is great.

“I was that child in the buggy being wheeled around. I've grown up on the track. But my parents never really pushed me into athletics until I chose to do it until the age of 14. They were unbelievably supportive. The whole family is flying over to Birmingham and it’s going to make it a big family event.”

She will be one of two Lisburn products making their world indoor entrances on Friday with Amy Foster running for Ireland in the 60 metres, fresh from setting a Northern Irish indoor best of 7.27 secs at the recent National Championships.

Marrs will use the global stage as a platform for the years ahead after figuring out the changes needed to push herself upwards.

“It’s just been my attitude I think,” she said. “It’s been about turning up for every session – giving it 110 per cent – making a lot more sacrifices this year. Last year was first year at university. I had to get all of that out of my system. This year I’ve really been able to sit down and concentrate.

“This makes me want to work harder. I never considered myself an indoor runner until now. So now if I can be selected for a world indoors, hopefully I can come out and do that again at the Europeans.”

The semi-finals and final in Birmingham are on Saturday night. The latter is Marrs' goal.

 But she said: “My main target is to really enjoy the experience and learn. I’ll be surrounded by amazing athletes so if I can watch them and learn, hopefully it will be good for the future.”