A large number of Harriers were in action at the Corby AC open meeting on a warm and pleasant tuesday evening, for many a first opportunity to stretch their legs on track following the winter season.
Middle Distance report
There were 35 members of the Middle distance squad in attendance and first off were the 600m and there were a number of good performances from the younger members of the KTH middle distance squad, with most setting new PB’s, Samuel Harrison was the quickest with 1:57.5, Millie Toseland ran well to record a 9 second PB with 2:00.2, with Harriett Drake-Lee slicing 2 seconds off to record 2:01.6, Blainne Conway also knocked 2 seconds off her best for 2:04.1, Natalie Short recorded a fine 2:05.7, with Millie Houghton 2:07.8, and Sophie Toseland 2:18.2. U20 Harry Young also ran well for a SB of 1:33.7.
The 1km races saw a small number of Harriers in action with Jed Hayes keen to make a similar impact at the Harriers as twin Lewis had in 2014, making a fine start to his season to cruise to victory & easily set the fastest time of the day with a swift 2:38.5. 9 Year Old Alfie Frayne made his debut and ran a fine race to finish 4th in his heat a record an excellent 3:39.0, the fastest U11 of the night, with Rebecca Hughes running a solid 2015 opener with 3:26.5, and new recruit Harriet Jolley off to a solid track debut with 3:51.1.
In the 2km race due to high numbers in attendance, especially from the Harriers (22 in total) the race was split into two separate races with mainly younger/ over 7:00 athletes groups for the opening race. U13 Dylan Bowley fresh from his outstanding XC season was out of the block like a scalded cat closely followed by U15 Danielle Gaskell-McCann and they covered the first 200m in a near suicidal 32 seconds!, they both settled afterwards nicely and Dylan Bowley continued to push the pace hard throughout. U15 Fynn Batkin joined him right at the front after 600m and the two both slayed in close proximity and helping each other maintain the push. On the bell lap Dylan surged ahead, but was kept in close attendance throughout by Fynn who was not able to pass the fast finishing Bowley, and they finished one two with Dylan recording a superb 30 second PB with 6:50.6 and Fynn a great opening track race with 6:51.2.
With Henri Codling grouped in the faster race and as a result they were not able to continue their season long battle, which was a shame, the only other boy in the race was bottom year U13 Rory Pateman who ran a solid 8:36.5.
For the girls Danni managed to stay ahead of the pack and she was the leading female Harrier in race one with a superb new 36 second PB of 7:41.0, next home was U17 Chloe Hearn who also enjoyed a fine race following her solid XC season to record a 12 second PB with 7:43.7, with U17 Sophie Moss clocking a solid 7:47.2, U15 Jennifer Robinson with her 2km debut recording a fine 7:50.6 & sister U17 Amy Robinson recovering well from winter injury niggles recording a solid 7:54.8, and U13’s Freya Batkin & Mia Brockway both recording good debuts of 8:02.4 & 8:10.4 respectively.
In race two there were also some superb performances, for the women U20 Fran Ashworth recorded the fastest time of the night and a 16 second PB to romp home in fine form and showing that the excellent XC season she enjoyed is paying dividends. U20 Jess Gordon was second home with a solid opening race in 7:02.2, and U15 Emily Williams was next home with a super 8 second PB in 7:07.1 and buzzing to be let loose over her preferred 800m distance in a few weeks time.
U17 Claudia Nevett never really got going in what was a shorter than desired distance but she opened with a solid 7:17.9, with U17’s Ella Palmer & Beth Gordon working on their endurance before moving to 800m this season also recording a solid 7:31.4, and 7:45.8 respectively.
The boys race was a lively affair between U15 Henri Codling, U20 Matt Brookes & U20 Edward Cannel with all three battling through the 5 lap race, and only separated with a bell lap burn up which was comfortably won by Matt Brookes with a fine 6:42.9 with Ed Cannell just holding off the determined effort from Codling finishing in 6:47.6, but Henri was rewarded with a superb new PB of over 30 seconds to record a fine time of 6:48.2. Jack hope was also in action but only just back into training and fresh from a 2 week holiday he set the quickest men’s time, but was disappointed with his 6:08.2.
There were also great performances for two members of the MD squad in the shorter sprints with Natalie Short & Alfie Frayne both running the 150m and winning their races to record an excellent 22.5 & 24.0 respectively.
2km second Heat just about to get underway
Well done to everyone who ran!