'My ambulance job puts athletics into perspective'

Cameron Corbishley described the Tokyo World Athletics Championships as "the hardest race that I've done"

After one of the most gruelling races of his life in Tokyo, athlete Cameron Corbishley was back on shift with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service within four days.

He's the British record holder in the 35km racewalk and hopes to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

However his job, which involves arranging transport for patients, keeps him grounded, he says.

"At the World Champs, for that moment it is the biggest thing in your life, but here, you realise there are...other priorities, the things people have going on in their lives put things into perspective," said Corbishley, who grew up in Sittingbourne, Kent, but now lives in Leeds.

Corbishley works in logistics, deploying ambulances and arranging patient transport between hospitals and appointments

He started at Maidstone and Medway Athletics Club, where a racewalking coach spotted his talent, and then went on to the Team GB pathway.

Last year he broke the British record for the 35km racewalk with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 34 seconds.

But he balances athletics with his job as a a logistics team leader, often training twice a day, before and after work.

"You have to either be up very early or be out late at night, which starts to take away from your sleep and recovery, so it's a balancing act," he said.

"I do feel proud of working here, you feel you are giving back in some way, being able to help and support people.

"Going out with the crews, you see it first hand, there are a number of people who, without our help, wouldn't be able to get the help they need."

He has to balance athletics with his job as a a logistics team leader, often training twice a day, before and after work

Corbishley spent three weeks using heat acclimatisation equipment to prepare for Tokyo temperatures.

But it was the 80% humidity he struggled with, placing 34th in a race he said was "a mission to finish".

Racewalkers must keep contact with the ground at all times and keep the leading leg straight. They get a red card for any infraction and are disqualified after three.

"In a marathon you see people really struggling but they don't have to keep their technique," he said.

"I'm struggling just as much as they are but I've got to keep one foot on the ground and I've got to keep my knees straight otherwise I'm getting disqualified."

Cameron Corbishley about to cross the line at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships

He's now aiming for the Commonwealth Games, and ultimately the Olympics in 2028.

"I've been close on two occasions before...all the training and focus is building towards trying to qualify for those games and be as competitive as I can when I am there," he added.