What a weekend for Blackburn Harrier’s Dominic Walton. He was going into the BUCS Track & Field Championships representing the University of Cumbria at the EIS on the back of winning the BMC 800m at Sheffield in January followed by winning the Northern T&F 800m title, also in January, as well as picking up his 2nd England vest in Glasgow. Athletics is never straight forward as he discovered, being ill in the week leading up to BUCS. On Saturday Dominic qualified for the Final on Sunday. Going through 400m in 56.14 he placed himself in 2nd place coming off the bend as the field approached the 600m mark. Going down the back straight he maintained that 2nd spot, closing the gap as he came off the bend, running a superbly judged race to take the title and Gold Medal in the last few metres in a time of 1.51.39 from Dan Howells (Brunel) in 2nd (1.51.55) and David Locke (Loughborough) in 3rd (1.51.67).
Dan Howells (470) — Dominic Walton (480)Speaking to the Harriers after the presentation, Dominic told us “I can’t believe it. I was ill all week before the event and considered not even turning up. I ran my Heat on Friday in 2:01 and felt shocking so to come from that to win. Well I have no words. Thank you everyone for the kind messages, it really means a lot!”
Maddie Elliott (Cardiff University), John iLunga (Sheffield University) and Benjamin Whittaker (Edge Hill) were also competing at BUCS – Maddie running in the 1500m, John in the 60m Hurdles and Benjamin in the 4 x 200m Relay. Sadly for Maddie she had suffered with Covid recently, which had impacted on her more than she had expected. After running 4.57 in the 1500m she was upbeat and was looking forward to getting back into training and being in good health. John equaled his personal best in the 60m Hurdles as he ran 11.51 in 5th spot in his Heat. Ben can be seen running for Edge Hill on Leg 3 in 4 x 200m Relay at 2hr 17.00 on the Video — (Saturday Action Video)
Edge Hill University 4 x 200m Relay Team with Benjamin Whittaker on the left
Ben with Blackburn Harrier team-mate John iLunga⇓
Lancashire Sportshall League
The third and final fixture of this years Lancashire Sportshall League resulted in the third win in a row for Blackburn Harriers which meant they became undefeated Champions. On the day our U9/U11 Boys and Girls were joint 1st with our U13/15 Boys and Girls 2nd. Overall in the 3 matches Blackburn Harriers U9 Boys came 1st, U9 Girls 1st, U11 Boys 3rd, U11 Girls 1st, U13 Boys 3rd, U13 Girls 2nd, U15 Boys 2nd, U15 Girls 1st. The Coaches were so pleased with the efforts of the youngsters and told us “Well done to all our Blackburn Harriers Sportshall Athletes, we as coaches are so proud of what you have all achieved. Some have been with us a while and some only a few weeks but you all gave the competition 100 % and enjoyed every minute too. You were all a credit to us and were very well behaved over all the competitions.”
Blackburn Harriers who have done 2 or more competitions.
U9 boys
Isaac Doolan, Liam Duxbury, Elliott Butler, Reggie Johnson.
U9 girls
Shahad Almitwally, Eleanor Dacre, Tabitha Eccles, Jenna McKinlay, Ava Shannon, Sophie Douglas, Amelia Pacelli.
U11 boys
Alex McKinlay, Reggie Johnson
U11 girls
Ellen Hoyle, Enya McDonald, Alessia Rawcliffe, Charlotte Wood, Imogen Boardman, Isabella Pawson, Martyna Szuta, Isabella Brannigan.
U13 boys
Jack Duxbury, Harry Pilkington.
U13 girls
Hannah Davies, Leila Pilkington.
U15 boys
Daniel Nuttall, Jacob Fisher, Harrison Allcock, Aiden Downes, Matthew Smith.
U15 girls
Kara Dacosta, Isabelle Hartley.
Match Results for Blackburn Harriers
Under 9 boys
Athlete of the match Elliott Butler came 1st Vertical Jump,1st in Target throw and 1 point in the obstacle race. Freddie Haworth in his 1st competition for us was 3rd in Javelin, 2nd in Triple Jump and 3rd in the obstacle race.
Under 9 Girls
Sophie Douglas came 1st in the Target Throw, 2nd in the Vertical Jump and 3rd in the obstacle race. Eleanor Dacre placed 3rd in the Vertical Jump, 1st in the obstacle race and 4th in the Target Throw. Amelia Pacelli came 3rd in the Triple Jump,2nd in the obstacle race and 3rd in the Target Throw. Evie Fearnley in her 1st ever competition and has only been with us a few weeks took 1st spot in the Long Jump and 4th in the Chest Push. Shahad Aimitwally came 4th in the Triple Jump and 1st in the Javelin. Jenna McKinley took 4th place in the Vertical Jump and 2nd in the Chest Push. Tabitha Eccles was 2ndin the Javelin, 6th in the Triple Jump and 6thin the Obstacle race. Kalista Harrington who was doing her 1st competition placed 5th in the Triple Jump and 6th in the Target Throw.
Under 11 Boys
Alex McKinley came 3rd in the Vertical Jump, 2nd in the Chest Push and 6th in the obstacle race.
Under 11 Girls
Imogen Boardman placed 1st in the obstacle race and 2nd in the Javelin. Dana Juma came 1st in the Vertical Jump and 5th in the Javelin. Isabelle Pawson was 4th in the Obstacle race and 2nd in the Target Throw. Tiffany Smith was in 4th spot in the Obstacle race and 3rd in the Target Throw. Ellen Hoyle placed 4th in the Target Throw. Isabella Brannigan took 4th in the Target Throw. Ava Grundy came 6th in the Vertical Jump. Martyna Szuta also placed 6th in the Long Jump.
U13 Boys
Harry Pilkington came 2nds in the Vertical Jump, 2nd in the 6 Lap and 2nd again in the Shot Putt.
Under 13 Girls
Hannah Davies was 3rd in the Long Jump, 2nd in the 6 Lap and 1st in the Speed Bounce. Leila Pilkington placed 5th in the 2 Lap, 2nd in the Long Jump and 3rd in the Shot Putt.
Under 15 Boys
Athlete of the Match Harrison Allcock came 1st in the Triple Jump, 2nd in the 2 Lap and 1st in the Speed Bounce. Matthew Smith took 5th place in the 2 Lap, 3rd in the Triple Jump and 2nd in the Shot Putt.
Under 15 Girls
Athlete of the Match Isabelle Hartley was 2nd in the Vertical Jump, 4th in the 2 Lap and 2nd in the Shot Putt. Kara Dacosta came 2nd in the 2 Lap, 1st in the Vertical Jump and 1st in the Speed Bounce.
“Well done to Blackburn Harriers for becoming overall champions at the Lancashire County Sportshall Championships. This year saw the largest contingent from Lancashire compete for under 13’s and under 15’s over the past 9 years. Given this was the first full years competition for two years and many athletes unable to compete due to isolating, this was outstanding. We also saw the start for the under 9’s competition which helped many of our younger athletes feel confident to enter knowing that they were all not included as under 11’s.
I would like to also thank all the Blackburn volunteers who officiated over the 3 competitions, you totalled more than a third of all officials on the day and were a magnificent help – many of whom helped for the first year – thank you!!!! I would also like to give a very special mention to Grace Bontoft, one of our older Blackburn Harriers throwers. She gave up her whole day, often starting at 7am to set up the venue, officiate and team manage. She never flagged through the day and was always there to help encourage the youngsters. She exampled how our young athletes can lead and inspire their younger competitors in a brilliant way throughout all 3 competitions. Thank you Grace!!!
Caerwen Butler
Chairwoman
Lancashire County Sportshall League
Caerwen Butler with one of the Athletes of the Match (Isabelle Hartley)
Athlete of the Match (Elliott Butler)
Jenna & Alex McKinley
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Paul Bradshaw was out for only his third race since March 2020 during the week. Having run in the West Midlands Cross Country League in January he followed that up with a trip out in the Winter Warmer 10k in Blackburn on February 6th where he ran a solid time of 38.10 in not the best of conditions given the wind. So last last week he encountered the wind again – some 40mph – as he tackled a 5k in Derby where he ran a time of 17.24 in 13th place.
