She might be heading into the unknown at the BUCS Nationals.

But that isn’t stopping Dewsbury long-distance runner Jennifer Walsh from aiming high.

Walsh will make her own piece of history when she takes to the track for the BUCS Nationals in Sheffield as it will be the first time she has ever competed indoors.

The competition, which takes place between Friday and Sunday, is the UK’s largest annual multi-sport event – however it is one that 21-year-old Walsh has never competed in.

This is largely due to the fact that the former St John Fisher Catholic Academy pupil was forced to sit out much of the last two years with a stress fracture.

Walsh has recovered in time to make her one and only BUCS Nationals as this her final year at Durham University and she aims to make the most of it.

“This year I see as a bit of a comeback year, as I have not been able to do the BUCS Nationals until now, and now I’m in my fourth year at university,” she said.

“I am having to take things a bit steadier in training, I’m doing nowhere near as much as I used to, but just managing to tick the sessions off and getting a bit more consistency.

“Before, I would just try and push things on because I knew I used to be able to, and that was when I would keep breaking down, so for me at the minute it is a case of taking it one step back. The training I have done has gone well, and I am pleased with where I am.

“I had a really good year in 2012 and I was hoping to build on that, but I picked up a stress fracture in my femur which got misdiagnosed and it was a big mess really. I have never done BUCS Indoors, I have never raced indoors at all, but I wanted to try something new and go out of university with a bang.”

Despite never competing at the BUCS Nationals before Walsh (right) did win 1500m gold at the outdoor edition in 2012.

That took place in London’s Olympic Stadium and Walsh is hoping for another day to remember with the 3000m taking place on Sunday, her 22nd birthday.

British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for Higher Education (HE) sport in the UK, representing more than 150 institutions. Covering 52 sports BUCS aids grass roots participation through to supporting aspiring elite athletes on en route to Commonwealth or Olympic Games www.bucs.org.uk