Basildon AC's Nick Wetheridge is turning his sights on the London Marathon and Commonwealth Games after one of his best results in 18 months.

Marathon bid -- for Basildon's Nick Wetheridge. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 8DKXV21C

Wetheridge, 29, scooped bronze in the AAA UK Half Marathon Championships in Bath last weekend after finishing third Briton and fourth overall in 64 minutes 30 seconds. He also qualified for the British team for the World Half Marathon Championships in Brussels on May 5.

However, he has reluctantly turned down his GB vest to concentrate on a bid to make the big summer event -- the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The Marathon on April 14 falls just three weeks before the Brussels date and Wetheridge revealed his priority is to boost his Games hopes by running in London.

"It's disappointing to turn my GB vest down, but I'm hoping to get one anyway at the Commonwealths," he said.

"It's a bit of a gamble, but I just felt the races were too close together. They'll be picking six athletes for Manchester and the London Marathon will be vital.

"It will be a tall order as I've never run a marathon before, but I've got the best guy to coach me in (former winner) Eamonn Martin. He's put me on a 12-week programme that I'm following religiously."

Wetheridge -- sponsored by his employers NatWest -- revealed that his confidence has returned after shaking off a run of injuries.

He finished sixth in the national Reebok cross-country challenge series this year and was delighted with his performance in Bath -- even though he lost the national title he won in Bristol in 2000.

"In some ways finishing third was better than my win," said Wetheridge. "Back then there were some top names missing, but there was a quality field this year.

"The course and conditions were also a lot tougher and I'd rate it as one of my best ever results." Wetheridge added that he was indebted to the help of training partners Neil Bangs, Mark Sanford and John Burrell for their moral support in the race.

He will now target the Balmoral 5 and possibly the Pitsea 5 before the London date, when he will run in aid of St Luke's Hospice.

Published Monday, March 25, 2002