Middle-distance runner James West has set his sights on next year’s Olympic Games as he continues his transition towards the 5,000m distance.

Ramsgate’s West, who represents Tonbridge AC, completed an outdoor and indoor British Championships double when he won the 5,000m British Championships in a wet Manchester earlier this month, adding to February’s 3,000m UK Athletics Indoor Championships success in Birmingham.

The 27-year-old, who has now been signed by running shoe giant New Balance, is slowly starting to turn attention towards the 2024 Paris Games.

“It’s definitely been quite a good transition,” said West, who won in Manchester with 13min42.03sec.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time.

“It means a bit more volume and mileage in training in the week. But when you’re a 1,500m runner, you have to work on that side anyway.

“I’ve always been a relatively good 3,000m runner. It’s going to take a little while to nail the 13 minute-flat mark but Paris is definitely a really good goal for that.”

West, now coached by 2002 Commonwealth Games 1,500m bronze medallist Helen Clitheroe, finished more than a minute ahead of second-placed Emile Cairess.

“I was really pleased with it,” he reflected on his victory.

“It was a really good race, it went to plan and I’ve done the double - indoors and outdoors - so it’s been a really good season so far.”

West had also finished last summer in good form but admits he’s feeling the benefits of working with New Balance.

He said: “It’s been absolutely massive, to be honest.

“Helen Clitheroe is my coach, who is a former GB athlete. It’s definitely helped me overall.

“I’m planning to keep that consistency through this winter and then into next summer.”

West will return to see his family in Thanet this week before he heads to a training camp in St Moritz, Switzerland, soon.

Speaking on Monday, he said: “I’m going to see them on Wednesday and doing a bit of filming on Friday.

“So I’m going to head home and enjoy that.”

After that and his Swiss training camp, West – who is recovering from a hamstring problem - will return for the summer run-in which includes a race stateside he has had a long-held ambition to get involved with.

“There will be another bunch of races,” he noted.

“Then I will, hopefully, finish off with The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile.

“That’s always been one I’ve wanted to do for a few years. Hopefully, I’ll get the chance this year.”

This year’s New Balance 5th Avenue Mile race in Manhattan, New York, is due to be held on Sunday, September 10.