IAN SNOW heads to Hungary today to compete in the European Masters Track and Field Championships.

The Torrington AAC middle distance runner from Huntshaw will take part in the Vet55 age group at the Municipal Stadium in Nyíregyháza.

Being the oldest runner in his category, Snow will be racing against some athletes who are five years younger.

He said: "I'll actually be 60 when I'm competing. Unfortunately I miss out on the next age class by one day, which is unbelievably infuriating."

Regardless of the tough competition, Snow is relishing the chance to race internationally in the 1,500m, 5,000m and the 3,000m steeplechase.

"I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy the challenge and there's a good camaraderie," he said.

That enjoyment of athletics began for Snow at Liverpool College, where he broke the school mile record, held by future Olympian Mike Turner.

Aged 17, Snow recorded a best time of 4-24.8 for the mile and two minutes exactly for the half mile.In 1986, he clocked a marathon PB of 2hrs 37mins in Paris.

However, Snow feared his running days were over at the age of 41. "In 1991 I had a car accident in India and broke my neck," he said.

He eventually started circuit training and, after moving to North Devon ten years ago, began running again, returning to track racing two years ago at the Devon Championships.

This month, Snow won the 3,000m steeplechase in the British Masters at Cardiff despite injuring his knee in a fall.

Next year, when he steps up to the vet60s, he hopes to enter the World Masters Championships in Sacramento, California.