Tracey Morris

Top athlete who competed at 2004 Athens Olympics.

Born:

1968

Place of Birth:

Holyhead

School:

Holyhead Secondary School (now Holyhead High)

"The (Olympic qualifying) time was at the back of my mind, but I've never raced a marathon before so I didn't know what I was capable of." Tracey Morris

Trivia:

Tracey has a twin brother, Anthony.

Biography:

Tracey Morris, nee Jones, was born and raised in Holyhead where her mother Pam Hodgson and father Gwilym Jones still live. Running is in the family.

Her father Gwilym Jones, an ex-fireman, was a keen runner and her sister Kelly specialises in the sprint hurdles and is studying sports science at NEWI.

Tracey was a keen athlete whilst at school in Holyhead and was captain of the Welsh girls' running squad - reportedly at the same time Colin Jackson was boys' captain. She was a member of the Cybi Striders before moving to Bradford to study to become an optician and settling in Leeds.

Tracey didn't return to running until 2003 when she decided to keep fit and so joined the Valley Striders in Leeds. In November 2003, she entered a 10km race in Flint, not realising beforehand that it was the Welsh championships - and won the event.

Following that victory, she raced as part of Wales' cross-country team in Cardiff the same month and in a 10km race for Wales in Leeds in December. She had been invited to take Paula Radcliffe's place in that race - but Tracey refused to run in an English vest.

She had taken part in the London Marathon in 1998 as a fun runner. But on Sunday April 18 2004 she knocked an hour off her previous time, completing the 26 miles in 2 hours 33 minutes 52 seconds. She was tenth overall in the women's race, and three minutes inside the Olympic qualifying time.

So, the following Monday, Tracey got the call from the British Olympic Association and was invited to join the team in Athens this August.

"I can hardly believe it," she said. "I will now have to speak to my bosses and see if I can get the time off work. I am now hoping I can knock more time off in Athens."

Nominated by Katrina Owen from Canada

Stats:

Athens Olympic Marathon - 29th place in 2:41:00, 15 minutes behind the winner.

Moment of Glory:

Competing in the 2004 Olympic Games

your comments

Katrina Howell fron Holyhead
How did u get this good in running?
Wed Jul 5 12:22:09 2006

Julie, Holyhead
Well done Tracey, you have really inspired me to take up running again, as I really enjoyed it when I was younger. I have started by entering a race for life 5km, thank you and good luck with all you do in the future.
Tue May 23 15:18:37 2006

Carla, Ann and Buddug,Holyhead
Go on doll run like the wind! We're all watching and supporting you from little Holyhead.
Wed May 18 12:59:42 2005

Tim Fry from Cardiff
Tracey, I ran in London last year and it was great watching you in the re-run of the race as I ate tuna sandwiches at the charity's reception. I only knocked 10 minutes off my PB though! Please keep going and do the Commonwealth Games next year - it will be great to see you competing in a Welsh vest.
Fri Apr 1 08:15:31 2005

Anthony, Wendy and the kids
Well done at Liverpool, keep it up for next month in London.
Sun Mar 13 23:24:49 2005

Ray Williams
Tracey, I want to congratulate you for your magnificant year. Holyhead is a close community and your performance was the highlight of the sporting year. Train hard for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. I fully believe that your performance will be recognised at the end of years sporting awards ceremonies. Well done girl!!! RAY
Mon Nov 15 10:50:19 2004

Margaret, Andrew & Gemma
Caitlin showed us this website. We are all very proud of you here in London! Well done! Lots of love x
Wed Aug 25 15:54:33 2004

Johnny & Christina Gerorgallis
Well Done Tracey! We knew all the Greek dance lessons would come in useful at some point!!
Tue Aug 17 15:38:53 2004

Laura Gibson, Leeds
Hi Tracey, GOOD LUCK! works not the same without you! Got lots of gossip!!! (don't forget the trainer thing I told you, it worked for London!) We've all got our fingers crossed at work, can't wait to see you!
Mon Aug 16 20:16:22 2004

Gwenllian Owen - Llangefni
All the very best to you Tracey! Enjoy the race and the atmosphere! We'll be watching the marathon from start to finish and cheering you on all the way. Bob lwc i chdi!
Mon Aug 16 11:03:07 2004

Caitlin and Keane, Holyhead
To aunty Tracey, we hope you will win, if you don't win you will stiil be the best. We love you so so much.
Mon Aug 16 09:45:05 2004

Junko Salmon, USA
Best wishes from Oklahoma! Pob bendith.
Sun Aug 15 20:02:11 2004

Wil a Mair , Tyn Lon, Caergybi
Best wishes in the Olympics. Fly the flag for Holyhead, Anglesey and Wales
Sat Aug 14 11:55:13 2004

Ian UK
Tracey you are doing what many dream of - good luck.
Thu Aug 12 21:40:01 2004

Paul & family - Australia
All the best Tracey for the Olympics - we shall hope to see you on the podium with the Welsh flag flying proud.
Thu Aug 12 21:02:59 2004

Christine Roberts from Llangefni(formally Engedi)
Bob lwc! Good luck!
Thu Aug 12 12:13:27 2004

Ian Wallace from Rhydwyn
I am certain you will make the dragon breath fire - come home with gold!
Mon Aug 9 07:07:31 2004

Hyder Ali Pirwany
May I wish you GOLD in Athens Olympics 2004. I will be cheering you on from Okehampton, Devon
Tue Aug 3 11:23:42 2004

Mum and step-dad Peter
We are looking foreward to our trip to Athens to support you. We know that you will do your best. We are all very proud of you. Hope that you enjoy your training in Cyprus. All our love, see you in Athens.
Sun Aug 1 22:49:16 2004

Hayley, Lynn, Fiona, Annie & Carol
You're still one of us Trace, we all think the world of you, and we wish we could run as fast as you! We'll be rooting for you in Athens, we'll be with you all the way as ever! Fly the flag for Wales.
Sat Jun 26 23:54:54 2004

Nancy Gay from Ocala,Florida USA
Great achievement for you and I wish many more. My grandmother was from Swansea, Wales and I loved her dearly. She was strong and beautiful just like you.
Thu Apr 22 14:07:50 2004

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