Martyn Rooney raced to the 400m UK Championship title in Birmingham yesterday and then he admitted he had plenty left in the tank.

The 23-year-old equalled his season’s best time of 44.99 seconds to see off the challenges of Michael Bingham and Conrad Williams.

The win and time booked Rooney’s place on the plane for the European Championships in Barcelona next month and the Croydon Harrier couldn’t hide his delight.

He had his sights set on lowering his personal best of 44.60 but on the advice of coach Nick Dakin he settled for winning the race.

“I’m very happy, it’s a quick track and I felt good out there but to be honest I think I could have gone a bit quicker,” said Rooney.

“In the heats I thought I could have run a personal best.

"I ran the perfect 300 and then eased off with 100 to go.

“I wanted to finish it off and just get the personal best but my coach would have told me off and given me some grief if I had done and I’ve got to do what he says.

“Everything is building towards the European Championships. It’s all part of the plan.

“I’ve said all along that you work for two years to get yourself in the right position when the time comes.”

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