AN ATHLETE who was raised in Hereford has moved her life to France in preparation for the Commonwealth Games later this month.

Clara Evans is representing Wales in the marathon on Saturday, July 30, in Birmingham city centre.

Evans, who now works in Cardiff, is training at altitude while also completing her day-job in the coming weeks.

"I work full-time as I don't really get any money from athletics," said Evans.

"I'm in France for five weeks at altitude ready for the games,

"It will be high mileage and final preparations for it now really.

"I'm still working while I'm out there, I've been allowed to work while I'm abroad.

"I can't afford to take any time off so I'll work right through.

"I'm a transport planner. Now that I work from home normally fitting it all in isn't too bad.

"You've just got to be good at time management and lack of sleep.

"I'm just moving my life to France for five weeks."

Evans started her running career in Hereford competing in Parkrun, local half marathons, cross countries and many more distances.

After being spotted by Welsh Athletics coach Chris Jones the pair have been working together to target this month's Commonwealth Games for the last four years.

"Since the last Commonwealth Games, I thought why not try and make Birmingham and see what happens," added Evans.

"Four years ago I was running 2-46 for a marathon and you had to run 2-35 for selection.

"The last marathon I ran was in 2018 and then it wasn't until last year I ran another.

"I was away from it for three years and then took 14 minutes off in one race.

"At the end of last year I took another minute off. I had taken two or three minutes off my half-marathon time so knew I could take five or six minutes off.

"I just went out to run 2-35 which was the standard and I was quite surprised to get it down to 2-31."