ByBrian Sacks, Brian Sacks
Richard Goodman confirmed his position as one of Europe's leading young runners by winning the 3,000m at the European Junior Club Championships in Castellan, Spain.
In a thrilling duel over the final lap, he forged ahead in the final 50m to defeat the pre-race favourite, Gabriel Navarro of Spain, in a time of 8:19.60.
The previous weekend, Goodman had won the 1,500m at the National Junior League Final in Derby, helping Shaftesbury to a victory that secured their place at next year's European Club Championships.
Goodman said: "I had spent August in Spain, training in hot weather, so the 32-degree heat during the race was not a problem for me.
"Navarro is the European junior 5,000m and 10,000m champion and a national hero in Spain, so there was a good crowd cheering him on. He and the competitor from Turkey put in a very fast opening 800m so I decided to let them go and reel them in slowly. As such I ran a comfortable, even-paced race, and took the lead for the first time at the bell. Navarro passed me with 200m remaining, but I was confident and sprinted past him in the final straight. It was a really satisfying way to end my season."
Goodman's victory helped Shaftesbury to take third place overall in the competition.