The 15-year-old impressed after victory in the English National Cross Country Championships but is also making a name for herself as a singer and songwriter
Paige Quinn is quickly emerging as a talent to watch this winter after her under-15 victory in the English National Cross Country Championships in September.
The 15-year-old’s abilities aren’t confined to sport, though. In addition to her running, Quinn is a budding musician. She writes and performs her own songs, which she shares on Spotify, while also busking in her hometown of Torbay to help fund her fledgling athletics career.
After a challenging three-month injury hiatus over the summer, Quinn made a triumphant return to competition, clocking an impressive 16:31 at the Mid Cheshire 5km in late August, a time that ranks her second on the UK all-time list for under-15 girls.
A remarkable parkrun, with 16:48 at the Torbay Velopark event, has also earned her the title of fastest-ever under-15 girl in parkrun history. She now has her sights on the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya this December, where she will aim to make her mark in the U20 category.
Paige Quinn
How did you first get into athletics?
I used to play a lot of football with my sister. She played for a team but I wasn’t old enough at the time, so I just went along to training sessions with her. I wasn’t very good, but I was a bit of a nuisance just running up and down the pitch.
My dad noticed my energy levels and how I wouldn’t stop running so he introduced me to parkruns and I started doing them regularly. After that he searched for a local athletics club and signed me up to Torbay AC at nine years old.
How did it feel to win the National Cross Country Championships?
I really wasn’t expecting it because I was injured for a lot of the track season this year with a knee injury. I missed out on a lot of competitions such as the School Games and I didn’t get much training in, either.
I think the nationals being rescheduled worked in my favour because I wasn’t ready to win it last year. I don’t really get out well on races, but I just went out trying to stick with the front pack and to overtake if I could. I was shocked when I got first place as I’m not used to leading a race, so it felt amazing going into that last stretch.
Did you expect to run a 16:31 PB in the 5km this year?
After my injury I didn’t really have much time to train so I was just racing for fitness. I did about three track…
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