A BASINGSTOKE athlete became fourth on the UK all-time indoor list after finishing third in a 1,000m run at Boston University, USA.

Gemma Finch, a member of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club (BMHAC), finished third with a time of 2:37.48 in the John Thomas Terrier classic.

Gemma joined BMHAC in 2013 and started training with Andy Sleap in the heptathlon, finishing sixth in the English Schools Athletics association in 2015 and gaining the attention of Troy University who went on to offer her a scholarship.

Having earned a degree in sports management and a Masters in sports management and business, she decided to specialise in the 800m.

She is a seven-time conference champion, a multi-university conference competition covering several states in the US and an all-American by qualifying in the top 12 for the NCAA finals in Oregon.

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After finishing her studies in 2021, she was recruited by the Atlanta track club who have offered her a professional contract and has gone on to represent the club with great success.

Another BMHAC athlete doing amazing things in the US is Mair Edwards.

After joining the club as a junior in 2009 she became one of the club's best sprinters as she still holds a number of club records in 100, 200 and 400m and was the English Schools champion for 200m three years running.

Having moved to the US in 2018 with a full athletic scholarship from Eastern Michigan University she has been a valued member of their track and field team, earning two gold medals and a silver at the College Conference Championships.

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While combining an intense training schedule she obtained her degree with the highest grade possible in 2021 and is now completing her thesis for her Masters degree in molecular and cellular biology.

She has opened 2023 with some strong performances during the USA indoor season, most recently in Boston where she ran a solid time of 55.18s for the 400m and is looking forward to building on this for the coming outdoor season.

Despite living away from home for the last five years, Basingstoke remains her home and she can be seen regularly training at the Down Grange track whenever she can and hopes to one day compete again for Basingstoke when she returns to the UK.