Pure Gold: Lauren winning the indoor Celtic Games title on her international debut.

Lauren Bell is beginning to catch the eye in the world of middle distance running, despite being only in year eight at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Fishguard, and what makes her achievement even more impressive is that she can compete at this age group for another two years.

She produced an exceptional performance recently when making her debut for Welsh Schools in the Celtic Games under-16 schools international at the National Indoor Arena, taking part in the 800 metres race where the field consisted of two Irish, two Welsh and one Scottish athlete. After jostling for a position early on in the race, Lauren took the lead with a lap to go and held on to the line, winning in a time of 2 minutes, 18.8 seconds - a new personal best.

Her next goal is to try and make the Welsh Schools cross country team and this month Pembrokeshire Sports Monthly spoke to Lauren about her achievements so far and ambitions for the future.

How did you first get interested in athletics?

When I was at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun I represented the school in the Pembrokeshire Primary Schools cross country competition and after winning the north Pembrokeshire race at Ysgol Preseli, I competed and won the Pembrokeshire cross country title at Oakwood. During this time I also won the Urdd cross country championships at Aberystwyth when I noticed there was a mayor's race being held in Carmarthen on Easter Monday. The race was one mile through the streets of Carmarthen so I entered and came third. During the race I noticed that the majority of the runners belonged to running clubs.

After finding out a little bit more about running clubs, I went to a Pembrokeshire Harriers' training night in Haverfordwest, where I met my running coach Pete Freeman. We trained twice a week on the Racecourse, as the new track at Sir Thomas Picton was still under construction. Under Pete's guidance I then started competing for the Pembrokeshire Harriers in the Louise Arthur League. I was ten when I made my debut in the under-11s at 1,500 metres and 800 metres.

What are your achievements so far?

I broke the under-11s 1,500 metres Louise Arthur record in my first season and won the 800 metres under-13s Welsh championship title in 2006. This was followed by silver in the under-13s Welsh cross country championships and a team gold in Ruthin in 2007.

Lauren in her Welsh athletics tracksuit.

In 2007 I also ran the mini London marathon, which covers the last 2.6 miles of the main race, and it was a brilliant experience with such a big crowd lining the pavements.

I won gold in the 800 metres at the Welsh indoor under-15s championships held at UWIC in January 2008. A month later I won gold when representing Welsh Schools at the Celtic Schools indoor international in the under-16s 800 metres, beating my personal best.

What is your proudest moment?

I've now represented Pembrokeshire, west Wales, Dyfed Schools and Welsh Schools, but putting on my Welsh Schools' vest and winning on my debut was the best.

What is your most disappointing moment?

Running the 800 metres at the Gerald Codd meeting, I only had 50 metres to go and was well ahead of second place. But I made a mistake of looking over the wrong shoulder and did not notice Lora Roberts coming up behind me so I slowed down coming to the line, thinking I had won. But Lora, a Bridgend athlete, came past me and took first place. I vowed never to make that mistake again!

Have you had a most nerve-racking moment?

I was very nervous before starting the London mini marathon. We were taken from the bus away from our parents and put with athletes from all over the country into a multi storey car park. I did enjoy meeting Mo Farah, a world class athlete and he told us he had won the mini marathon several times. But even after the horn sounded for the start of the race, we still had to run through two tunnels and all join up on the other side. I enjoyed running past Buckingham Palace and all the other famous sites, but I found it one of my hardest races.

What are your main ambitions?

I would love to win some more Welsh titles and break some records, and to represent Wales in the Commonwealth Games in 2014 would be a dream.

Who is the athlete you look up to?

Paula Radcliffe, as she always shows such determination and commitment. She admits to going through bad patches which gives me confidence that I can run through the pain barrier as well.

Have you had plenty of support so far?

Pete Freeman is brilliant. He works so hard at his coaching and without his commitment Pembrokeshire Harriers' success over the years would not be the same. My training partners have pushed me hard and they all deserve success. My dad Andrew makes training schedules, which always involves something to make us laugh, my mother Debbie gives up all her spare time to take me to training and look after my kit, my sister Kirsty comes to watch if she's not playing golf and the rest of my family are supporting me every step of my career.

3:11pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

Streets ahead: Lauren winning the Welsh indoor title.

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