I SHELVED ALDI JOB TO RUN IN WORLD CHAMPS

Crorken ready to make gamble pay off in Tokyo

- BY JAMES REID

TIARNAN CRORKEN was stacking supermarket shelves just weeks ago - now he is ready to take on the world’s best 800m runners in Tokyo.

The mulleted middle-distance runner has enjoyed a sparkling season to force his way on to the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships.

It is vindication of the 26-year-old's decision to give up his job working 12-hour shifts, starting at 4am, at Aldi to train full-time - a final roll of the dice to make it on the world stage.

“At the age I am, you have to pick whether you are going to start a career in something else or give it a go,’ said Crorken.

“I said to myself at the start of this year that either you make it now or you move on and do something else.