Walden eyes UK run

Walden: Marathon man

"I really want to qualify and get through to Telford. There's a lot riding on the match in terms of the ranking points.

Ricky Walden
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Ricky Walden's bid to make the top 16 moves on to Prestatyn and the UK Championship qualifiers at the end of November, and he is fighting fit after recently running the New York Marathon.

The world number 20 is 13th on the provisional list as he looks to break into the top 16 for the first time in his career, and making the final stages of the UK Championships will be another boost to his chances.

If the 27-year-old from Flintshire can win his qualifying match on November 30, he will set-up a first round proper showdown with world champion John Higgins at the International Centre in Telford.

Walden is desperate for a top 16 place at the end of the season, and believes he is in top form after recovering from his exertions in America.

"I really want to qualify and get through to Telford. There's a lot riding on the match in terms of the ranking points," said Walden.

Recovery

"It took me a while to recover from the Marathon because I had a few days in Las Vegas afterwards, but I've got my head down now and I'll be living on the table until the UK qualifiers."

Last season's Roewe Shanghai Masters champion completed his first marathon in four hours 17 minutes, raising £1500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

"It was even more difficult than I thought it would be," he said. "There was a point where I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I managed to run all the way.

"At the end I felt very emotional, I couldn't believe I had finished it. I was just delighted to show that I could do it as I am not a natural runner.

Fitness

"I'm going to keep the fitness going by doing a lot of running and gym work, but I won't be taking on another marathon for a while."

Walden's last major event saw him lose to Mark King in the first round of the Grand Prix in Glasgow, and he is still smarting from that defeat.

"I was gutted for a few days after that, it was as low as I've been," admitted Walden. "My head wasn't right going into it and I was disappointed by the way I handled myself.

"I still managed to virtually win the match - but then somehow gave it away. But I'm not worried about it any more and the next tournament is the perfect time to bounce back."