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Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 07:00
International athlete Harvey has already netted two eye-catching results in as many weeks as the fleet-footed junior chases down a place at the Europeans in Brussels on December 14.
The former Ivybridge Community College student, though, will have to negotiate the Liverpool Cross Country (European) trials at Sefton Park on November 29.
But before that event, Harvey is in action this Saturday at the UK Cross Challenge at Gateshead.
And if her current form is any guide and barring injury, then the 19-year-old must be considered an outstanding candidate for a place in the Great Britain junior line-up.
Firstly, Harvey, a finalist in the Herald's sports personality awards, secured a stunning second-place finish at the Birmingham Cross Country Challenge at the end of October.
And while Harvey did not return to the South Hams with a medal from the Saucony English Cross-Country Relay Championships on November 1, she certainly made an impact at the Mansfield event.
The 19-year-old helped Exeter Harriers finish seventh out of 34 teams – the Devon club's debut in the under-20 women's competition.
Harvey also ran the fourth fastest leg of the day, beaten only by Olympian Steph Twell and the latter's Aldershot, Farnham and District team-mates, Emma Pallant and Charlotte Purdue.
Harvey said she had been delighted with her impressive time of eight minutes 13 seconds and conceded that it augurs well for her Saturday challenge in Gateshead.
"It was a good competition and I was very pleased both with my time how things went for me and, of course, the team," said Harvey, who is now an undergraduate at St Mary's University College in Twickenham.
"My goal this season is to win a place at the Europeans in Brussels next month.
"So, the past two results in Birmingham and Mansfield are pointing me in the right direction.
"I've got the Gateshead run this weekend and I'm hoping to do well again there and of course, at the (European) trials in Liverpool at the end of the month."
Harvey has taken in her stride the switch from her parents' South Hams home to life as a fresher at the south-west London university.
"Yes, I like it here in Twickenham, the facilities for athletes are great," added Harvey, who has realistic hopes of gaining a place on Great Britain's track squad in London 2012.
"The level of back-up at St Mary's is excellent and because of the move to London, I have a new coach, (former GB 800m runner) Craig Winrow, who is a lecturer at the college.
"My main aim is to compete at the Olympics and as far as I'm concerned I couldn't be at a more perfect base."
Harvey is one of six finalists in the amateur athlete category in the Herald's Sports awards, with the identity of the winner being revealed at the Pavilions on Monday, December 1.
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