Lucker bidding for fourth Mini Marathon title

By Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat

WORLD junior wheelchair champion Dan Lucker insists he has put his winter illness problems behind him as he bids for a fourth title at the Virgin Mini London Marathon on April 25.

BIG PLANS: Daniel Lucker was in superb form throughout last year and is looking to pick up from where he left off this time around

The 17-year old enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2009, striking four golds and two silvers at last summer's IWAS Junior World Championships in Switzerland, as well adding to his victories in 2006 and 2008 in the prestigious three-mile race through London's famous streets.

Set to receive financial backing for the second consecutive year from the UK Athletics Heroes Project, supported by Original Source, the teenager's progress earned him the UKA Hero of the Year and BBC Wales Junior Sports Personality of the Year in 2009.

And having returned to fitness after a bout of illness over the turn of the year, Lucker - who trains with double Paralympic champion David Weir - has set his sights on breaking his own course record in London next weekend.

"It is my last year in the Mini London Marathon, so it will be quite special," said Lucker, who set the course record of 12:30 minutes 12 months ago.

"I just want to go out and break my own course record.

"I have definitely seen a difference in my performance since training with Dave. He really helped me get back into training after my illness which, at times, was a bit of a struggle.

"But I've had a few weeks warm weather training recently in Portugal which went well and was a good way to get back into training.

"So everything is really coming together now, my confidence is coming back and I'm really looking forward to racing in London."

Having dominated the junior scene last season, Lucker made no secret of his intention to make a permanent transition to the senior ranks in 2010.

But while competing for Wales at his debut Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October remains in the back of his mind, the teenager insists he is taking things one race at a time, with the defence of his World Junior titles the next priority after London.

"The Commonwealth Games has always been a target this year, but now it is a bit further away," said Lucker.

"But you have to aim high, I always have done.

"Making the Commonwealths is still achievable but my next goal is retaining my titles at the World Junior Championships from 100m to 5,000m on the track."