On Sunday 8 September the Ladies Veteran Team headed off to Bedford for the 2013 Finals!
The Team were surprised and excited to make the Finals but were faced with the prospect of competing against much larger Clubs. With a slightly depleted squad through injuries there were only 3 ladies in the Vet 35 category and 4 in the Vet 45 category. This meant fielding only one relay team was possible and the loss of much needed points from the lack of a Vet 55 competitor!
The finals include 17 events per age group and split between only 3 team members in each age group (because there was an injury on the day) this meant that many team members competed in more than a heptathlon each!! The only difference is that heptathlete's get two days to do their events whereas we had only one day!! We are also Veteran's!!
The Team performed to the best of their ability. In the Vet 45 category, unfortunately despite winning her 400m hurdles and coming 2nd in her 800m race Helen Keyworth was injured and unable to take further part. Her team mates rallied round and the busy Kerry Munn having already done her 3000m (2nd) and long jump (6th) and while waiting for her 1500m (3rd) stepped in to run a fine 3rd place in the 400m. Kerry was also a member of the relay team.
Kathy Coleman also rolled back the years to cover Helen's high jump and surprised everyone including herself to jump over 1.10m, having not done this event since school! Kathy also did Shot (4th) the 100m and 200m (7th) and the 2km walk (4th). Sandra Vaughan did the throwing events and finished in 8th in discus, hammer and javelin. This was Sandra's first year of competing for the Veteran's team but will now be a permanent team member having enjoyed the experience!
In the Vet 35 category Alison Moxey took part despite having a six week lay off through injury. Alison took part in the 3000m (6th) and followed this up with discus (7th) and 400m (8th), as well as a place in the relay team. Jill Tierney had a busy day competing in 400m hurdles (6th) 2k walk (5th), 200m (8th), 100m (7th - with a fantastic dip on the line) and also kindly agreed to do the 800m (in place of Amanda) and finished in 6th. Jill also competed in the relay team.
Team Manager, Amanda Marlow filled in the gaps competing in triple jump (3rd), long jump (2nd), shot (4th), javelin (6th), hammer (3rd), 1500m (7th) and least favourite event - high jump (8th). Amanda was also in the relay team. The relay was 2 x 400m and 2 x 200m - the team finished in 5th.
Having qualified for the finals in 8th place the team had no great expectations! It was just a case of a good team effort and a fantastic day out!