WEYMOUTH athletics star Kevin Archer is aiming for his maiden British Indoor Masters title when he contests the 1,500m at Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London today.

Archer, who will line up in the M65 category, has been in blistering form this season, winning all three indoor races in which he has competed, but expects a difficult assignment this time around.

He told Echosport: “I’ve never won a British Indoor title so it’s still on my bucket list. As I’m right at the end of the age group it’s probably unlikely this year.

“I’ve just entered for the 1,500 – I didn’t think I would be up to doing two events and didn’t particularly want to take time to stop over as the 800m is on the Sunday.

“As things were, I wish I’d have entered the 800 to give me more chances.”

Archer took both the 800 and 1,500m titles at the recent Masters Indoor Challenge, held at the same venue.

But the Weymouth man was dismayed at not completing the 1,500 in under five minutes to beat the current season’s lead time of rival and indoor world record holder David Oxland.

He said: “I was just a little bit disappointed I didn’t get below five minutes. The guy I beat has the fastest time of 4.59 and I lost a bit of concentration trying to hold five-minute pace.

“I would imagine he’s there to defend his title and there will probably be some younger athletes too. When I first came into the age group I was running 19 seconds faster than I am now.”

He added: “I hope to have a really good run and get under five minutes. Last summer I ran 4.55 and 4.56 in the Europeans so if I can get towards that I’d be really happy.

“You’re probably going to be a little slower indoors than you are outdoors in good conditions.”