Innes FitzGerald is Britain’s leading junior female distance athlete, and is already showing a lot of potential. The teen has only been running competitively for a short while, but has already accomplished some big titles. She is the current UK under-17 3000m record holder and took the win at the Mini London Marathon in October 2022. It’s no surprise, then, that she managed to qualify for the 2023 Cross Country World Championships in Australia.
However, like many young people, Innes has concerns for the environment. She has written a letter to British Athletics to graciously decline her place on the start line, due to not wanting to fly to the other side of the world and contribute to more carbon emissions.
Read more: Sustainable running guide
Innes FitzGerald’s letter to British Athletics
Dear British Athletics,
To have the opportunity to compete for Great Britain in Australia is a privilege. However, it is with great regret that I must decline this opportunity.
When I started running, the prospect of me competing in the World Cross Country Championships would have seemed merely a dream. However, the reality of the travel fills me with deep concern.
I was just nine when the COP21 Paris Climate agreement was signed. Now, eight years on, and global emissions have…
