Druce and Garland go head-to-head

By Aaron Scoones

Teammates in Aland, rivals this weekend: Tom Druce (left) and Dale Garland. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0799667)

GUERNSEY 400m stars Tom Druce and Dale Garland go head-to-head this weekend as they both eye a place in the Great Britain team for the 13th IAAF World Indoor Championships.

The Sarnians are both competing in the Birmingham Games at the National Indoor Arena and, for once, Druce might just be regarded favourite to come out on top if they come face to face on the fast NIA track in either the heats or final.

After two meetings, Druce, 23, is ranked third in the country over the distance this year while the island’s greatest ever athlete Garland, who was part of the British squad that went to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is sixth having competed at one meeting so far in 2010.

The World Indoor Championships are taking place in Doha Qatar from 12 to 14 March.

Garland, 29, feels that the pair have more of a chance making the six-man relay team than competing in the individual competition.

‘In terms of the relay squad, which is more realistic, and to have two people from Guernsey selected, it could happen this year,’ he said.

‘To have two people from Guernsey would be really amazing. There’s no reason why both of us can’t make the squad this year.’