Sophie Hitchon has been busy of late competing in different countries and opened up her season on May 2nd – as she prepares for the World Championships in China – winning the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, California with a winning throw of 69.20.
From California Sophie traveled to Japan for the Seiko Golden Grand Prix where she threw a touch further (69.45m) for seventh place in a top quality field. From Japan it was home to Britain for the Loughborough International. Sophie had three throws over 70m plus a winning throw of 71.02m which won her the competition and achieved the qualifying distance for the World Championships. Great start to her season.
Payton Jordan Invitational Results HERE
Loughborough Results HERE
Another Blackburn Harrier in really good nick is Alison Leonard. At Trafford on Saturday night Alison, in not very good conditions at all, won the 800min in a seasons best time of 2.01.25 from Lynsey Sharp in 2nd place. The day after she went to the Loughborough International to run the 1500m and took 2nd place to Jess Judd with another seasons best of 4.13.23.
Trafford Results HERE
Loughborough Results HERE
When the Club asked her to sum up her two races in two days, Alison told us that she “Lost to Jess Judd by a second, couldn’t quick get onto terms with her in the last 100m, bit disappointed but yesterday was great so can’t win them all! Was really pleased with Saturday, felt that I put myself on the line by going to the front behind the pace maker and then leading for the last lap so I was pleased that I managed to hang on for a good time and a win. Excited for the next one now, in Belgium on Saturday for my next 800m so hoping to have a good run there. See you soon x
Karl Billington is also in good form at the moment having just put in a 3.53 1500m clocking and set a new 3000m PB of 8.17.
Ronnie O’Sullivan talks to David Bedford at the Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PB’s. HERE
Full Results HERE
At the Night of the 10000m PB’s, Karl delivered his own PB running 30.47. You would think he would be pleased with that, but always looking for more Karl told us that he was a “little disappointed with the time but none the less it was an amazing atmosphere and great to be able to watch a quality britiah champs race as well”