This years Bucs Track & Field Championhips had a number of athletes from Blackburn Harriers competing for their respective Universities headed by Olympians Holly Bradshaw and Jess Judd with Dominic Walton, Joe Gebbie, Charlie Coy, Ava Leigh, Ben Whittaker and John ILunga.
Since August 2021 Holly Bradshaw had competed just once in December winning the Golden Fly Series (Thailand) with a height of 4.51m. Out at BUCS as part of her build up to three massive Championships in 2022, Holly won the Championships, clearing 4.50m from Molly Caudery in 2nd (4.20m). Jess Judd after clocking 15.11 in a 5000m in California had recently run a 1500m in Arizona – (RESULTS) – which she won by a clear four seconds (4.18.15) from Katrina Coogan in 2nd place (4.22.15). At Bucs Jess clocked 4.34.93 in winning her Heat, 4.24.56 in winning the semi-final and then took the win in the final, clocking 4.10.79 from Louise Shanahan in 2nd (4.13.27).
Holly Bradshaw
Jess Judd
Dominic Walton had three 800m races to negotiate over the Championships winning his Heat in 1.53.54, then ran 1.50.83 in the semi-final to qualify for the final where he finished in 7th spot with a time of 1.51.07 – impressive running. Joe Gebbie had run a BMC 800m at Leeds the week before BUCS winning in a time of 1.58.88. At BUCS he was entered into the 1500m and ran 4.04.27 in 6th spot in his Heat. Ava Leigh was entered into the Hammer (4kg) and threw 50.14m just below her personal best in 3rd position to qualify for the Final where she placed 11th with a distance of 47.92m. Ben Whittaker set himself a new PB in the 110m Hurdles, running 16.69 in his Heat followed by a leap of 5.40m in the Long Jump (10th). Charlie Coy ran the 400m and set successive new PB’s, clocking 60.36 in 3rd spot in her Heat and then improved again to run 60.22 in the semi-final. John iLunga had three events during the Championships running 11.51 in the 60m Hurdles (5th) in his Heat, 71.39 in the 400m Hurdles (6th) in the Heat and throwing 8.63m in the Shot Putt (11th).
Dominic Walton
Ben Whittaker
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Trafford Bank Holiday Medal Meeting – May 2nd
A number of Blackburn Harriers participated in this Bank Holiday Medal meeting including U13 Charlotte Smith; U15 Zoe Green; U15 Matthew Smith; U15 Jacob Fisher; U15 Daniel Nuttall; U13 Agatha Taylor & U15 Oliver Gill.
Daniel and Jacob took on a treble covering 100, 200 and 300m. In Heat 1 Daniel set a new PB of 11.37 which moves him into 3rd spot in the National Ranking as Jacob finished 3rd in 12.47. In the 200m it was another win for Daniel in 23.70 which has him in 5th place in the National Rankings whilst Jacob clocked 25.81 in 3rd position. Finally in the 300m Daniel had to settle for 2nd place in a new PB of 37.65 placing him 4th in the National Rankings with Jacob in 3rd running a time of 41.82.
Charlotte set herself a new PB in the 75m of 11.92 coming home in 3rd place before going on to jump 3.32m in the Long Jump finishing in 11th. U15 Zoe was trying out in a 1500m for only the second time and ran a time of 6.02.92. Matthew Smith took on the 80m Hurdles clocking 14.23 in 5th spot before going on to run 2.18.43 in 4th spot in the 800m and then setting a new PB of 8.15m in the Shot Putt (4kg). Agatha ran in the 150m and 1200m and had a good day as she won the 150m Heat in 21.83 and set a new PB of 3.56.39 in 2nd place out of a field of 12 in the 1200m. Oliver showed his early season form as he ran another new PB in the 1500m – April 2nd saw him lower his best for the distance to 4.32.11 and at Trafford he knocked over four seconds off that time to run a new best time of 4.28.96 in 3rd spot.
Oliver Gill (291)
Charlotte Smith
Matthew Smith
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Trafford Grand Prix – Tuesday May 3rd
Hayden Mercer and Codie Dewhurst started at their first Trafford of the season, both of them taking on the 800m. Hayden clocked 2.03.50 in 6th place in his Heat whilst Codie secure a new PB for himself by half a second finishing 4th in 2.07.80.
Hayden Mercer going through 400
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It was the return of the Astley Park Trail Race Series last night at Chorley – May 4th – covering an Open Race and Junior Race.
L-R George Woodburn – Hollie Cubbon – David Almond – Amy Davies -Lindsay Davies – Chris Davies – Kate Cookson – John Cookson
Open Race Results —- Junior Race Results
Eight Blackburn Harriers featured in the Open Race won by Chorley’s Tom Murphy in 21.04. V45 Chris Davies headed the Harriers, crossing the line in 4th place overall and 1st V40 with 21.50 followed by V55 David Almond in 8th overall running 23.05. Amy Davies was the first women home as she ran 25.23 in 23rd spot with Hollie Cubbon taking 3rd place int he women’s race and 35th overall with a time of 26.38.
V40 John Cookson was one place and five seconds further back in 26.43 followerd by V45 Lindsay Davies in 60th running 29.11, Kate Cookson in 75th with a time of 31.33. Special mention to George Woodburn who raced as a V70 for the first time and who will be formally aanounced as the President of Blackburn Harriers at its Committee Meeting next week – May 9th. For those who know George and are aware of his achievements as an athlete over the more than 50 years of competitive running, this was a night to celebrate.
The Junior Race featured sixty one youngsters with just two from the Harriers – Sam Aspey and Hannah Davies. Sam’s great form over cross country during the winter was continued las night as he won the the race in a time of 4.44 from Chorley’s Henry Ward in 2nd (4.53) and Chorley’s Freddie Edwards in 3rd (5.00). Hannah ran a time of 5.47 in 18th overall and first of three F13’s.
Sam Aspey
