NOT MANY people would fancy running 25 times around an athletic track - but army man Sean Williams will relish every minute of it.

The 17-year-old has got his sights set on competing in the 10,000m in the 2016 Olympics and there is every chance he will do it as he gone from strength to strength in his running career.

He only took up the sport after deciding to go out running with his grandad but now he his under the watchful eye of his army commanders and Hyndburn Athletic Club who believe the former Moorhead pupil can go far.

"He has massive potential," said his coach Don Lennon.

"He can be an international athlete and also has the chance to compete for the army at international events and he does have a big future in the sport if he can continue they way he has been."

Sean's running has been a revelation. He admitted he didn't have the best of times at school and didn't run much there but one day just decided to go with his grandad when he was about 12-years-old. He did a six mile course felt quite comfortable and continued to run.

Don Lennon took him under his wing at Hyndburn AC four years ago and he has been working on increasing his speed ever since.

And it has been so successful that Sean shocked the field by winning the Army Under 20 10km Championships in Sandhurst in 35 minutes and 35 seconds recently.

He then went into the Inter-Services event at Aldershot over the six miles and 400 metres and finished second in the Under 20s age group.

Now he will go to South Africa training with the army as he continues to progress in his running and professional career.

"I was really surprised when I won at Sandhurst," said Sean, who is part of the artillery section in the army.

"I thought I would come about 25th so I couldn't believe I had done so well and I won by about 16 seconds.

"I was pipped on the line at Aldershot which was pretty annoying but it was all the services - army, RAF and navy and I was just pleased to do so well.

"It was amazing as I was running in the Under 20s but some of the seniors racing at the event had competed in the Commonwealth Games and I was just gob-smacked when I watched them run."

And he has one hero in mind. "I have always admired what Kelly Holmes did, working in the army and competing and I would love to do the same. I can't believe I have got the chance to run with my job!"

Sean is certainly heading in the right direction as he was the youngest boy ever to get his army colours out of Harrogate in cross country.

He also passed his Phase One training in Harrogate, with his Passing Out ceremony shown on national television, and he will now go to Larkhill this month for training for Phase Two.

"I keep in contact with his commander all the time to talk about Sean's training. They have been fantastic and we are all proud of Sean," said Don.

"He came to us at the end of 2002 and wasn't really doing too well academically at school.

"We discussed his options when he turned 16 and the army seemed the best idea.

"And it has worked really well, he is looking at 2012 Olympics but I think it is more like 2016. He does have so much potential, though."

Don admits he is lucky at Hyndburn AC as he has some athletes who have a lot of promise. These include Sean, Leigh Lennon, Robbie Schofield and Joe Basquill.

"I am blessed as a coach as they all have such a lot of talent. They are a fantastic group who thrive off each other. Hopefully, they can all go on to bigger and better things."

Sean would like to thank his mum, dad, his sister and family for their support.