This latest report covers everything from Track & Field Championships through to Ultra runs, most of which were contested in warm weather and favourable conditions. We start with the England Athletics U15 & U17 Open Championships, U20 & Senior Open Combined Events Championships, Junior Para Championships (11-18), UK Combined Events Championships held at the Alexandra Stadoum, Birmingham.(RESULTS)
Beginning Friday July 26th – seven Blackburn Harriers competed over the weekend of the Championships – with Agatha Taylor and Oliver Gill both running in the 800m’s – Agatha in the U15 Girls and Oliver in the U17 Men’s race. Agatha’s race was a straight Final in which she clocked 2.19.42 in 5th place overall whilst Oliver was drawn in the fastest of the two Heats in which he clocked 1.58.33 and just missed out on the Final after taking it on in an attempt to qualify. Oliver told us later that he “really enjoyed it and found it a great opportunity to be racing at the Nationals” Agatha spoke to the Harriers about her race telling us “I really like running at the Alexander Stadium but was disappointed with my English schools performance. It was great to have another chance at the Nationals and was really happy with my 5th place in the final. A great outcome towards the end of the season.”
Oliver Gill taking it on
In the Sprints U17 Charlie Palich, U17 Daniel Nuttall, U15 Keir Michie and U17 Millee Schofield were all there. Charlie ran 11.26 (3rd) in Heat 2 alongside team mate Daniel who clocked 11.44 in 5th in the same Heat. In the third oif three semi-finals, Charlie clocked 11.32, again in 3rd place, just missing out on a Final place by a tenth. In the 200m Daniel ran 23.35 in Heat 1 (5th) and Charlie clocked 22.82 (3rd) in Heat 2 followed by a new PB in the second of three semi-finals running 22.55. Keir clocked 24.56 (7th) in his Heat of the U15 Boys 200m. Charlie was really happy with his weekend as he explained when talking to the Harriers about it “Running at the Alexander Stadium was brilliant and I would like to say a big thanks to Caer and Matt for their help in getting me there and being ready to compete at the National Championships. I was nervous but felt prepared and am really happy with how things went for me. I had a target in mind for the weekend and am pleased with my two semi finals and a 200m PB. It made me realise there are some superb athletes out there! I had messages of support from my team mates throughout the two days, so I am really grateful to them too.” Keir was at his first Championships and told us about the experience saying that “He really enjoyed the experience despite being really nervous and felt really lucky to be there competing against some exceptionally talented athletes who’ll likely be competing for Great Britain very soon. Overall, i enjoyed the experience and hopes to get a chance to do it again.”
Charlie Palich
Keir Michie
Millee Schofield took 2nd spot in Heat 4 of the U17 Women’s 300m running 40.95, followed by a semi-final 3rd place in the third race with a time of 40.27 to qualify for the Final in which she ran 40.54 in 8th spot. Millee spoke to the Harriers after the weekend telling us that she was “Really happy to reach two national finals over two consecutive weekends finishing 5th and 8th in a relatively new category 300m with me usually focusing on 100/200m. Thanks again to my family, club BBH and my coach Caer, where I hope to continue my progression.” (Semi-Final Race Video)
Speaking about his weekend at the National Championships Daniel Nuttall told the Club that “The National Championships were a brilliant experience. It was an amazing weekend full of teamwork and competitiveness, and it was fun to be able to finally run a weekend without an injury. I had the opportunity to help the newer athletes who were taking part in their first championships, which will further motivate me to keep working harder to achieve higher achievements.”
The Decathlon is a huge event. It requires speed, strength and power. It also requires an amazing mindset to take on board 10 events over two days – 5 on each – maintaining determination and focus on all the three elements of athletics, running, jumping and throwing. First year U23 George Whittaker was taking on the Decathlon in a field of 18 – 7 of which were seniors, the rest being U23’s. His points total of 5644 was his first in this age category. George made a blistering start on Day 1 with a new PB in the 100m of 11.26, followed that by another new PB in the Long Jump of 6.17m, threw 10.07m in the Shot Putt, cleared 1.63m in the High Jump and rounded of the first day with another new PB, his third of the day, in the 400m of 51.77. Day 2 started with the 110m Hurdles – George running 18.2, followed by yet another new PB in the Discus throwing 32.64m, vaulting 3.40m in the Pole Vault, throwing 42.17m in the Javelin and finishing off with another new PB in the final event – 1500m – clocking 5.01.76. Five new personal bests over the two days was a great performance by George and is the reward for not only talent, but determination and hard work. Speaking to the Club after the Championships, George gave us his thoughts about the two days “I really enjoyed the experience of the weekend, the biggest comp I have ever done. A total of 5 PBs which I am really proud of and an overall learning experience especially with the events I struggled with. Look forward to next year!“
George Whittaker (1051)
Sticking with Track & Field, this time at the BMAF Track & Field Championships hosted at the Moorways Athletics Stadium in Derby. (RESULTS). Blackburn Harriers Throws Coach – V60 Tony Balko – was competing at the Championships. The Discus (1.5kg) competition proved to be successful for Tony as he placed 6th with a distance of 39.78m. Later on Day 2 Tony achieved a new PB in the Weight (9.08kg) with a distance of 13.66 and came back on Sunday with another good performance, this time in the Hammer (5kg) with a tsecond new PB of 38.81m in 5th place. Speaking later about the weekend to the Club, Tony commented “Just reflecting on the British Masters Athletics Champs held in Derby this weekend. Came away with no medals, but I did come away re-motivated. In the Discus came away with 39.78m, in the Weight Throw 13.66m (PB) and in the Hammer 38.81m (PB). The only downside was too many long throw fouls, but that can be fixed. Just like to thank the organisers, all the officials and my fellow athletes for a great championships.”
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On to a different surface, and this time on the road at the Docklands Marina 5k held on Sunday July 28th. Three Blackburn Harriers racing in this one – Dominic Bretherton, Rebecca Ward and Leah Hoole. Dominic had a fine run in 19.20 taking 3rd place overall in the race with the run of the day coming from Rebecca who was 2nd in the Womans race with a new PB time of 19.37, just two seconds behind Laura Gardner, the winner. Leah came 4th in the Women;s race in a time of 21.20.
From 5k to Ultra. In June this year, Janine Fallon had run the Montane Trail Ultra 20 & 10 at Ullswater Way finishing 14th in the Women’s race and fifth V40 in a time of 6hr 53.59, only three women going under six hours. July 26th saw Janine take on the Montane Lakeland 100m Ultra with 6300m of ascent – described on the race website – as the “most spectacular long distance trail race which has ever taken place within the UK. The circular route encompasses the whole of the lakeland fells, includes in the region of 6300m of ascent and consists almost entirely of public bridleways and footpaths.” A huge shout out to Janine taking on this race in which she finished in a time of 36hr 20.55, was 33rd out of field of 96 finishers and 165 who started in the Women’s race & 16th V40 which was a real test of endurance.
Following this massive effort by Janine, she spoke to the Club about the event, telling us “Lakeland 100 mile race, actually 103 miles, up and over 21,000ft of climbing, all to be completed within 40 hours, taking in 2 nights running in the dark. This was my first attempt and happy to say I completed it in 36 hours 20mins, in some harsh heavy rain overnight Friday to a beautiful sunrise Sunday morning, lots of soul searching at 90 miles but not a chance it would beat me. I did it.“
Photos courtesy of No Limits Photography
Photo courtesy of No Limits Photography
Janine Fallon
Janine Fallon
Photo courtesy of No Limits Photography
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