Disabled racer Colette Martin scooped her second mini-marathon title in the under-13 age group competition last week and is now eyeing up the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Her success has not gone unnoticed as her trophy cabinet grows by the minute following victories in races throughout the UK in the last two years.

These wins, including at the Great Scottish Junior Run and the UK School Games in Coventry last August, have secured her a place at the Scottish Disability Sports Academy where they identify athletes with potential and support them by providing expert coaching and funding.

Proud father, Chris, told the Wishaw Press: “She has really started to come on in the past two years and is doing more competitions and events.

“She used to just compete in local events but as she gets older she can go a bit further, and now she can compete in London and other parts of the country.

“She is getting noticed, and she was invited to a UK Athletics Camp in England for a weekend where she trained with the more advanced athletes.”

Colette - who was born with the birth defect spina bifida - joined Red Star Athletics Club in Glasgow at the age of nine and began training with coach Ian Mirfin who has overseen the success of Carluke Para-Olympian Karen Lewis.

And within a year she had her own racing chair and started competing in competitions.

Ian said: “She is the best for her age in the UK and beats most of the boys, but it is hard to forecast how far she can go.

“She is a great talent and time will tell, although she has the raw materials and commitment. The next few years will be crucial.”

Next month Colette will be competing in the National Junior and Senior Championships before making her debut in the Glasgow 10km race.

“We are delighted with her progress - it’s fantastic,” her father added. “All her coaches are very supportive and even when we travel on the trains to races people are always encouraging her, asking where she is off to race next.”

Taylor High pupil Colette has special equipment in her home at Hillhead Crescent that allows her to train five times a week. And she sticks to a rigorous training schedule that is prepared six weeks in advance.

“At the moment she knows she has got the potential and the talent but you are obviously wary of pushing her too hard because she is so young,” Chris said.

“When you see her racing you can see she has that competitive edge. Colette wants to win and wants to do well.”

He continued: “Her coaches are thinking more about her competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when she is about 20 years-old.

“London 2012 will probably come around too soon but you never know - it has been mentioned.”