Atheltics Weekly

FEATURE
JOSH GRIFFITHS
to go for the fast times. He’s really
more concerned now with the major
championships, which is really good.”
Another key to the success, says
Jones, is keeping things simple in a
sport where there can be a tendency to
overcomplicate matters.
“That’s putting it mildly,” he continues.
“But Callum has simplified it. He and
Robert – obviously (Callum’s brother)
Derek as well – have got it down to a fine
art in terms of where they want to go and
how they want to go about it.
“They know there are no secrets
about it – it’s about hard work, having
that work ethic and being confident
about what you’re doing.
“Right at this moment, he seems very
confident about what he’s doing.”
With that in mind, what are Hawkins’
chances at the world championships?
He will be up against the likes of this
year’s London winner Daniel Wanjiru of
Kenya and Ethiopian Tamirat Tola.
“Obviously I’d like to see him win it. I
think he has the ability to do that but it’s
a major championships so it’s a case of
suck it and see,” says Jones. “He’s the
dark horse of the race I think. It wouldn’t
surprise me to see him come away with
a medal.
“I don’t want to put pressure on him
but I’m confident in what he’s able to do,
he’s got great tools and 60 minutes for a
half marathon is nothing to sniff at – he’s
probably one of the fastest guys in the
race actually over the half marathon so
they are going to be more worried about
him than he is about them.”
Hawkins’ personal best for the
marathon is 2:10:52, but Jones can only
see that time heading in one direction
and towards a certain landmark that the
61-year-old suspects might not be his for
too much longer.
“It’s very nice to have it, and still have
it but it’s not something you would have
thought you’d be able to hang your hat
on for 30-odd years,” he says of that
national record.
“There are a good crop of athletes
coming through now and I can see
Callum having that record before too
long, once he sets his mind on running
a fast race somewhere. It’s just a matter
of time.”
Griffiths’ run
in London (right)
won him his World
Championships vest
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