Blackburn Harriers Matthew Heywood has started off the season in good form with perforamnces in the Hammer (7.26kg) of 50.13m in early March – followed up by a new personal best of 51.29m two weeks later. Throwing at the Annual Trojan Challenge at Mount Olive meeting on March 28th Matthew had a cracking series of throws, with everyone over 51.00m including a new PB of 52.55m. A happy Blackburn Harrier, Matthew told the club after setting his new personal best  by adding a meter and 26cm that it was “Great to keep making progress – amazing day. Hopefully this success continues“.

(PB Throw Video) — (RESULTS)

Still in America and more new personal bests for another Blackburn Harrier –  David Holman – as he started his outdoor track season at the Raleigh Relays on saturday March 29th. Running consistent pace with a first lap in 55.37 and a finishing lap of 55.76, David ran himself a new PB of 1.51.12 in his first outdoor race this year – placing 2nd in his Heat. Speaking to the Harriers he said that it  “Wasn’t an ideal race as well, had to take it on at 300 in and got tripped with 200 to go. But stayed strong and finished hard“. (RESULTS) David’s next race is over 1500m in a fortnight’s time.

                                                       Oliver Gill                                       Ethan Cutler                                     Logan McCredie

There were three Harriers Juniors Athletes competing at the British Schools National Biathlon Championships at Bath University at the previous weekend March 22/23rd –  Matthew Smith, Charlotte Smith & Lyra Krige. Great weekend for Matthew who won the Gold in the Year 12/13 Boys event on Saturday, with a 4:32.2 PB in the 1600m (and a 2:04.3 PB in 200m swim). Charlotte came 5th in the Year 9 Girls events on Sunday, with a 5:33.6 PB in the 1600m & a 1:12.8 PB in the 100m swim. Lyra placed 12th in the Year 10 Girls event on Sunday, with a 5:50.6 in the 1600m & a 2:35.7 in the 200m swim.

(Matthew’s Results) – (Charlotte’s Results) – (Lyra’s Results)

Track & Field got off to a start in Blackpool at the Open meeting hosted by Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde AC on Saturday March 29th with conditions commensurate with this time of year. (RESULTS). The Open Meeting gives an opportunity for young athletes – first year U13 and U15’s to gain some experience and for older athletes, a chance to see how winter training has reflected itself in early season outings. Starting off in the Field Blackburn Harriers Ava Leigh opened up her season in good form throwing 52.18m in winning the Senior Women’s Hammer event. In the mens Senior Hammer competition Anthony Kent took 2nd place with a throw of 48.81m and placed 2nd again in the Discus with 38.28m. First year U17 Alex Burns-Groves placed 3rd in the Javelin with a throw of 31.63m before going on to finish in 3rd spot in the Shot Putt with 8.99m. In the U11 Girls Long Jump Amelie Holden came 9th out of 16 with a jump of 2.65m as first year U13 Sophie Douglas jumped 3.21, placing 11th out of 16 which was a big new PB by 31cms.

On the track three Blackburn Harriers took on the U15 Boys 200m resulting in first year U15 Kai Addison finishing 3rd in 27.4, Tynias Mensah in 4th running 28.5 in his first competition and Joshua Carrier in 5th with 29.7. In the Girls Heat 2 of the 200m Caris Peter-Thomas opended her season with a win, clocking 27.2 whilst in Heat 1 U15 Girls Niamh Boland and Darcie Belshaw took 2nd and 3rd places respectively with times of 29.1 for Niamh and 29.8 for Darcie. Darcie then went on to the 300m – winning the event and posting a new PB time of 45.1. This was followed by a 2nd place finish for Kai Addison in his Heat of the U15 Boys 300m, clocking 42.7. Making his debut in competition was U11 Aidan Shannon running 16.0 in the 80m as Amelie Holden ran 15.0 in her Heat of the U11 Girls 80m. Pippa Blackburn and Jenna McKinlay ran in the U13 Girls 100m – Pippa placing 4th in 16.8 and Jenna 5th in 17.5. Heat 1 of the U13 Girls 100m saw Ava Shannon just miss a new personal best as she ran 15.3 (8th) whilst in Heat 2 Amelia Carrier clocked 16.6 in 3rd position. The U15 Girls 100m Heat 1 saw Caris Peter-Thomas clock 13.00 – the same time given to the winner – Marnie Nelson with Niamh Boland in 3rd running 13.8. Four U15 Boys from the Harriers contested Heats 1 and 2 in the 100m – Heat 1 resulting in Kai Addison placing 2nd in 12.8 and Tobias Walsh 4th in 13.7 whilst in Heat 2 Tynias Mensah clocked 13.4 in 2nd place with Joshua Carrier in 3rd running 14.1. U13 Girls Jenna McKinlay and Sophie Douglas took on the 800m for the first time – Sophie placing 7th in 2.52.6 and Jenna 8th in a time of 3.10.0. U9 Aliza Iram had a go at the 600m and ran 3.02 whilst Amelie Holden had a go at the U11 Girls 600m posting a time of 2.36.8. Final event saw U13 Ava Shannon finish 2nd in the 70m Hurdles with a time of 14.6 which equaled her personal best.

 

                                                                               Darcie Belshaw                              Ava and Aidan Shannon

Still on the track – at the Northern Universities Cup – TJ – Tanith Jade-Ellis did the 800 / 1500m double for Manchester University setting a new PB in the 800m with 2.50.76 and then posted a seasons best of 5.49.11 in her1500m race.(RESULTS)

Out on the road, Blackburn Harriers Chris Marsden and Paul Guinan were racing at the Wilmslow Running Festival over the Half-Marathon distance (RESULTS). The race was won by Robert Mwei in 62.34 with Liverpool Harriers Jonny Mellor in 2nd spot (63.09) and Kent AC athlete John Gilbert in 3rd (65.21). V55 Paul came home in a time of 86.08 and was 7th in the age group category with Chris just behind him in a time of 86.16 which was a new PB by a minute and 20 seconds. Also running was Sophie Guinan – Paul’s daughter – who ran a time of 1hr 48.17 and rumour has it she may be taking it up and joining Blackburn  Harriers!