University News Last updated 11 May 2012
A Nursing student from Birmingham City University swapped her uniform for a tracksuit and trainers at the end of March, when she took part in the National Lottery’s Olympic Park Run.
39 year old Tracey Ireland from Rugeley, Staffordshire, is in her second year of a Nursing diploma at Birmingham City University whilst working as an auxiliary nurse at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She was lucky enough to be chosen as one of 5,000 lucky runners picked at random to take part in the event which saw almost 43,000 people enter to be the first to cross the Olympic finish line.
Tracey, who started running whilst at school, has competed in numerous events across the UK including the Great North Run and the London Marathon. She completed the five mile course - which saw runners take a route around the Olympic Park finishing inside the Olympic Stadium - in an impressive 42 minutes and 23 seconds.
When asked what it meant for her to be part of the Olympics this year, Tracey said: “It’s a dream come true. I’ve always fantasized of one day being the one in an Olympic stadium, watched by thousands on TV!”
The event was started by Princess Beatrice and hosted by TV presenter Holly Willoughby and Team GB sprinter Iwan Thomas. Spectators were treated to an afternoon of entertainment including performances from dance troupe Flawless and electronic string quartet Escala.