Athletics Delight for Chelsea after she runs her 'perfect race'

A DELIGHTED Chelsea Baker has revealed she ran almost the 'perfect' race at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon.

- Kevin FAHEY

Chelsea Baker and fiance Adam Stokes celebrate in Amsterdam

Baker soared to third in the Bristol & West AC All Time Rankings behind Olympian Claire Hallissey (2:27:44) and England international Jenny Spink (2:31:14) after completing the 26.2 miles in a personal best time of 2hrs 32mins 27secs.

That carved close to four minutes off her previous best set two years ago in London and puts her No 1 in the South West this year and 11th in the UK Rankings.

"I was absolutely delighted," said Baker.

"Everything was perfect and the event went like a textbook. I'm still buzzing from it."

Baker went out to Amsterdam a couple of days before Sunday's race to get settled in and on race day was greeted with perfect weather conditions and a fast course

"I was really chilled beforehand and I knew I would have no-one to blame but myself if the race didn't go well," added Baker.