ROBERT Tobin is hoping to secure his place at the World Championships by claiming the British title this weekend.

The 400metre specialist, from Old Basing, climbed to second in the UK rankings after running 45.15sec at a meeting in Switzerland last month – his best time since 2005.

That time, which is Tobin’s second-quickest ever, means that the Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete has reached the qualifying standard for the World Championships in Berlin in August. However, he needs to win at the UK Championships, which double as the world trials, to be sure of claiming a place in the individual event.

The UK Championships will take place at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham, this weekend, with Tobin looking to run a heat tomorrow, a semi-final on Saturday and the final on Sunday evening.

“It was a bit of a weight off my mind to get the qualifying time but I still have to go to Birmingham and run well – that has not changed,” the 25-year-old said.

“I am still under plenty of pressure to run well but the time last week shows that I am in good form so I am hoping to go to the trials and prove it again.”

The 400m promises to be one of the most keenly contested events at the meeting. Martyn Rooney, who reached the Olympic final last year, will be missing due to a hamstring injury but Michael Bingham, the fastest British athlete this season, and Tim Benjamin, who won the event at the European Team Championship, will be among Tobin’s competitors.

“Every time I step on the track I am looking for that top spot. The time I ran in Switzerland suggests it should be a close race,” Tobin said. “I just hope I run well on the day and give myself a chance.”

Another north Hampshire athlete preparing for the UK Championships is distance runner Charlie Purdue.

The 18-year-old from Hook will run in the 5,000m on Sunday afternoon and feels that a top-three finish is a realistic aim.

“I have not got the qualifying time for the World Championships so it’s more about position and hopefully getting a place on the podium,” Purdue said.

“That’s my aim and I am reasonably confident of achieving it. It’s my first time at the senior UK Championships and I am looking forward to it.”

Despite this being his first season competing in the 400m hurdles, Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete Andy Blow is hoping to make the final on Sunday.

The 23-year-old switched from the flat this season and recorded a new personal best of 50.90sec at a British Athletics League meeting last weekend.

“I am happy that I have been able to go that quick, and if I am able to repeat that, I should make the final and could be in with a chance of a bronze medal,” he said. “The whole season has been focused towards this and I am going to Birmingham with high hopes.

“This is my first year doing the event and I have achieved my targets, so anything else is a bonus.”

Another Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete, 1,500m runner Robert Whittle, is expected to run at Birmingham, while hurdler Richard Fox and 400m specialist Mark Berridge are also hoping to take part.

Hurstbourne Priors sprinter Holly Croxford, who recently finished third in the 200m and fourth in the 100m at the English under-23 championships, may also compete before travelling to Estonia for the European under-23 championships as part of the 4x100m relay team.

l See page 66 for a report and pictures from Basingstoke and Mid Hants’ latest league match.