Robbie Stenhouse (14) has broken the 200m record held for 30 years by Rob Currie (right)

A YOUNG runner has smashed a 30-year-old sprinting record formerly held by a JEP photographer.

Robbie Stenhouse (14) was the star of the U16 Boys’ School Team Cup event earlier this month when he ran the 200 metres in just 23.0 seconds.

The performance lowered the time held by previous record holder Rob Currie by seven-tenths of a second.

Robbie has been running for seven years, following in the footsteps of his father Grant Stenhouse, who is well-known on the Jersey running circuit. Grant, who has been running competitively for about 30 years, used to sprint with Rob when they were younger.

So when Robbie was told he had beaten a sprinting record held for 30 years, he knew exactly who the record now belonged to.

‘I knew Rob held the record because he was friends with my dad,’ said Robbie, who had not set his hopes too high for a good time in the race – he had broken a finger during a school volleyball game a few days earlier, so wasn’t feeling his best.

‘When I crossed the line I realised it was a good time, but I didn’t think it was that good,’ he said. ‘I was really pleased. I was a bit shocked as well. I didn’t expect to run that quickly.’

Robbie, who trains five times a week, was seven when he began running – around the same age his dad was when he started.

‘My dad suggested I give running a try and I liked it and it has sort of stuck,’ said Robbie. ‘I liked the feeling I got when I knew I had run well. It is still the same feeling I get now.’

The young sprinter hopes one day to compete in the English schools competition held annually in the UK in which his father competed years ago. ‘I would also like to get into running professionally if I got a chance,’ said Robbie. ‘In some instances, running can be a great way to travel the world. There is a competition held in Bermuda in 2013 – hopefully I can qualify for that.’

Robbie’s father Grant, mother Nicky and younger brother Sam (12) are all proud of his achievements. Grant said: ‘There is a lot of hard work involved, but I just hope he enjoys it and keeps improving.’

• See more Islanders featured in the Jersey Evening Post in a special section every Friday