Craig Pickering (born 16 October 1986) is a British
sprinter, currently based at the Marshall Milton
Keynes Athletics Club; however, he also runs for
Bath University and Newham and Essex Beagles. He had
success as a youth athlete, winning the bronze medal
in the 100m at the 2003 World Youth Championships in
Athletics.
He first came into the public eye in June 2005, when
he beat Darren Campbell in the 100m at a meet in
Bedford. During 2007, he has found success on the
indoor circuit, winning the 60m event at the
European Indoor Trials and UK Championships in
Sheffield in early February, following this with a
second place finish in the Norwich Union Grand Prix
in Birmingham in the same event, behind his Bath
team-mate Jason Gardner. His indoor form prompted
The Scotsman to hint in January 2007 that Pickering
could be a Gold medal prospect for the London
Olympics.
More recently, he won the silver medal, again in the
60m event, at the 2007 European Athletics Indoor
Championships in Birmingham. He is currently
regarded as a hot contender for the British number
one spot, having soundly beaten Mark Lewis-Francis
among others at the Glasgow Norwich Union Grand Prix
held on 3rd June 2007. Despite dismal rainy
conditions, Pickering equalled his personal best of
10.22 sec.
On 23rd June 2007 he achieved a new personal best of
10.15 sec to win the mens' 100m at the 2007 European
Cup in Munich. He also participated to the British
Relay 4x100 win, with 38.30 (World Leading Time of
2007).
Pickering soon followed this up with a new personal
best (10.14) and a silver medal at the 2007 European
Under 23 Championships (Debrecen, Hungary), behind
compatriot Simeon Williamson.
At the 2007 UK Championships and World Trials,
Pickering finished second (by 0.01) behind Marlon
Devonish, and was then selected to compete at the
World Championships, in the 100 m. He also was part
of the 4x100m relay team which won the bronze medal.
He opened his 2008 season with a win at the Norwich
Union international match in the 60m, securing a win
for Great Britain, in the international match.
Pickering now faces a struggle to make Great
Britain's team for the World Indoor Championships.
He was fifth behind controversial race winner Dwain
Chambers at the Sheffield Indoor trials.
