Sophie Hales has overcome a lot to get where she is today.

The 18-year-old is the best in the country at her chosen sport but rather than being seen as a top athlete she remains a figure of fun in some quarters.

Why? Because Sophie is a race walker.

Not just any race walker though. Already this season Sophie has set a new record at the AAA Under-20 Indoor Championships and won the UK 10km Senior Championships.

She topped those achievements last week when she led Great Britain to victory against the very best the continent has to offer at the European Grand Prix at Leamington Spa.

But even if Sophie goes on to realise her ambition of competing in the Olympics one day, it is unlikely to stop people laughing while she is on training walks around her Steyning home.

Sophie said: "It does look different to normal walking and that is why some people laugh. Race walkers have to stick together because we do come in for a bit of stick.

"People say it looks so unnatural but everyone walks. We just do it a bit quicker than everyone else.

"I've been lucky because I've not had too many bad experiences but I know people who have had some really unpleasant things happen to them.

"One girl was out training when a police car pulled up alongside her and the policeman started taking the mickey. I think for an on-duty policeman to do that was really terrible.

"At school my friends were fine about it. I think that's because I was so successful and they couldn't really say anything. They might have been different had I been rubbish.

"Sometimes I don't want to go training because people laugh at me but my boyfriend is really supportive and tells me not to take any notice."

Sophie has learned to ignore the jibes since taking up race walking 11 years ago, following in the footsteps of brother Matt and sister Amy.

Success It is unlikely she would have even heard about race walking had it not been for the close proximity of Steyning Athletics Club.

Living so close to one of the country's top race walking clubs was undoubtedly a major factor in starting her off on the road to the top.

She said: "I joined the athletics club when I was seven, which is the youngest age you can start. It seems so long ago that I can't remember not doing it.

"I'm not sure what the attraction was to start with. Matt saw the Easter Monday walking races, which they hold every year in Steyning, and wanted to do it. Amy also did it so I suppose I just followed in their footsteps.

"I'm glad I did because it has been very rewarding for me. As well as winning medals I have also made a lot of friends within the sport and the fact that we come in for a bit of criticism makes us all closer."

Sophie's experience is nothing unusual, according to Steyning AC's other rising star, Nick Ball.

The 15-year-old is the reigning UK under-17 indoor champion and was sixth at the European Grand Prix, despite competing against walkers five years older than him.

He has also learned to ignore the taunts. Nick said: "Cars beep at me when I am training and sometimes people wind down their windows and shout things but I don't take any notice.

"People make fun of us because of the way we look when we are walking. I admit it is not very stylish but race walking is an Olympic sport and we have to train very hard so people should remember that.

"My grandad Cliff and dad Jim were race walkers and that is how I got started. I used to play football and cricket but soon realised I had a natural talent for walking and I really enjoy it."

Nick will accompany Sophie to the World Cup in Germany in May where both will hope to win medals. After that, Sophie will turn her attentions to her dream of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in two years time.

"I would love to make it to the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and then the Olympics two years later but I know I have got a long way to go."

If she does make it to the Olympics, Sophie will have had the last laugh.