A FITNESS instructor at Runcorn's Heath Leisure Suite has made the top four in an athletics championship.

Veteran athlete, Darren Scott, finished fourth in the M45 decathlon at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Spain.

Mr Scott, 49, who works at The Heath Leisure Suite in Runcorn's Business and Technical Park, was competing in his fourth competitive decathlon after winning the UK Masters decathlon title in the M45 category at Sheffield in July.

Masters athletics have age categories, starting at M35 (age 35), and men as old as 105 have competed in the events.

Mr Scott was one of more than 8,000 athletes taking part in the World Championships in Malaga over the weekend of September 4.

The athlete, renowned for his achievements as a world-class Masters’ sprinter, had set himself a new goal to compete in the 10-discipline decathlon event and had hoped for a top-six finish.

He said: “After eight events I was in third place with a bronze medal in sight but ultimately I came fourth and just missed out on a podium finish.

"My aim was to get into the top six so I am thrilled with the result especially as I am very much a novice at this event.

"The winner, Michael Hoffer from Sweden, is a decathlon specialist and European champion who is also three years’ younger than me.”

Now Mr Scott plans to revert back to his own specialism, the Masters 200 Metres, where he holds the world record in both the M40 and M45 categories.

“Next year I move up to the M50 division and my aim is to win the M50 world title in Poland in 2019 and beat the M50 world record.

"It would be fantastic to hold a hat-trick of World 200 Metre Masters’ records in three different categories – and that’s what I will now be focusing all my training on.”

Lesley Lunt, The Heath’s sales and marketing manager, said: “We are delighted for Darren.

"He is such an amazing athlete who is always looking to take on new challenges.

"He is a fantastic example and an inspiration to everyone who uses our Leisure Suite.”