WHEN the going gets tough, 10-year-old Loreto Preparatory School sprinter Olivia Kinkead gets going.

The Timperley Track runner from Altrincham was competing for the North in the 60-metre sprint in national finals of the Independent Schools’ Association athletics championships when she fell as she dipped over the line.

She was grazed and bleeding, later needing medical treatment for the wound to be professionally cleaned and bandaged, but decided to carry on to run for the North in the relay.

“It did hurt but it was cleaned up on the spot and as we had two hours to wait for the next race, by the time it came round I thought I might as well have a go. After all I didn’t want to let down my team-mates,” said the big-hearted youngster.

Olivia started running with her mum, dad and younger brother Alfie taking part in the parkrun in John Leigh Park on a Saturday morning in winter. 

She added: “I enjoy any distance, but I prefer the sprints and we get a lot of opportunities to practise both at school and for my club.”

Despite her fall, Olivia finished sixth in the sprint and fourth in the relay but as she is in Year 5 and aged only 10 she aims to perform even better in next year’s finals.

Loreto Prep headteacher Anne Roberts said: “Olivia is very resilient and an absolute joy in class. We are all very proud of her.”