Just three months after joining the Elite Sports Programme at the University of Winchester middle distance runner Leah Johnson claimed her first major senior title.
In December Leah won the South of England Senior Women’s Indoor 1500m race at London’s Lee Valley indoor Stadium slicing an amazing eight seconds off her personal best time to cross the line in 4:40.07.
Earlier this month Leah returned to Lea Valley where she knocked a second off her PB for the 800m, finishing in 2:18.85 despite having just recovered from a hip injury.
Leah and her coach Andy Fisher, the University’s Head Coach, Track & Field Athletics, both believe she would have produced even faster times had the races been run on outdoor tracks which have longer straights and less tight bends.
The young athlete says she has made great strides since coming to Winchester where she has received intensive training.
“It’s all down to Andy’s coaching it’s so different from anything I’ve done before,” said Leah. “He’s really worked on my speed.”
Leah (left) with fellow medallists at Lee Valley
Leah, who is studying for a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science, is a member of the Elite Sport Programme which offers extra support to ambitious student-athletes who want to excel in both their sport and their degree.
The 19-year-old from Lyndhurst in the New Forest began running in Year 3 of Junior School and is a member New Forest Junior Athletics Club. She attended Priestlands School in Lymington and studied for her A-levels at Brockenhurst College.
Prior to coming to University, Leah won the Under-20s 1500m title at the 2025 Hampshire Athletics Track & Field Championships.
Despite her success at 1500m, Leah’s favoured distance is the 800m and she will be representing the University of Winchester in this event at the BUCS Indoor Athletics Championships (part of BUCS Nationals), held from February 13-15, 2026, at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield.
Before that she will be part of the Winchester team competing in the BUCS (British Universities and College Sports) Cross Country Championships at Loughborough.
Coach Andy Fisher said: “Leah has worked fantastically hard since coming to the University of Winchester. She has fully emersed herself into the elite sport programme, following her tailored training plan and has seen immediate benefits in terms of improved performance. Leah is a pleasure to coach and fully deserves her success.”
Leah said her main ambition is to get her 800m time under 2:10.05 to qualify for the national championships.
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