GWENT’S Natasha Cockram has been backed to run the times that could put her in the mix for a medal at next year’s Commonwealth Games after winning the Los Angeles Marathon.

Welsh record holder Cockram was the first athlete home in the women’s race in California, finishing in a time of two hours 33 minutes and 15 seconds, well clear of Kenya’s Antonina Kwambai.

Speaking after her success, Cwmbran star Cockram said missing out on a place in Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics has given her extra motivation going forward.

Cockram finished second at the British Olympic trials in March but her time of 2:30:03 was just shy of the qualifying standard for Japan.

In Los Angeles, Cockram ran cautiously for the first 18 miles, staying with Kwambai before she “dropped the hammer” and won by more than four minutes.

“I wasn’t sure how my body was going to be feeling after London,” said Cockram. “About halfway, I felt sure and comfortable. I kind of wish I’d gone earlier.”

Making the Wales team for the 2022 Commonwealths in Birmingham is now at the top of Cockram’s agenda – and Welsh Athletics national coach Chris Jones believes a medal is a possibility.

“Natasha has been chipping away at it for a while,” he said.

“She’s in contention for the Commonwealth Games and to put in a performance like that in LA is a big step forward. I’m delighted to see that.

“She’s unique in the sense of being a specialist marathon runner, and learning to win is one of the things you need to do, and she’s doing that before Birmingham.”

He added: “She had a lot of injuries but has turned her career around and is now a very robust athlete – I’m surprised how many marathons she can absorb.

“Natasha is one of three women from Wales who are running really well and looking for a place in the Commonwealths team.

“To medal in Birmingham, you’re probably going to have to run around 2:28. Shoe technology has changed the game, before times like 2:30 or 2:31 would have got you on the podium.

“I think Natasha has got that 2:28 or 2:29 in her, but first she needs to go inside 2:30. If she can do that then she’s capable of challenging for a medal in Birmingham.”

Kwamba edged out Russia’s Nina Zarina to take second place, while Cockram won $6,000 for her efforts.