The Kettering Town Harriers middle-distance squad are coming into excellent form with the important County Schools Championships just one week away. Competing at the British Milers’ Club PB Classic in Loughborough, the squad took full advantage of conditions that proved far better than the gloomy forecast, producing a series of impressive, confidence-building performances across the programme.
In a standout performance, Peyton Almond competing in the U18 Girls 1500m Steeplechase, recorded 5:23.59 to set a new PB, UK 14th, and a near ES Qualifying Standard. Almond delivered a superb performance in only her third ever steeplechase, running a near 10-second PB and agonisingly close to the English Schools qualifying standard of 5:23.0. Her time places her joint 14th in the UK, a remarkable achievement for an athlete still new to the event.
Her hurdling was clean and controlled, with only the water jump requiring further refinement. With more technical familiarity, Peyton is expected to improve significantly again. This performance should put her in a strong position for Northamptonshire English Schools selection in the coming weeks.
Peyton Almond showing great potential in her new event, 1500m Steeplechase.
In the day’s other standout performance, Millie Sharp competing in the U16 Girls 800m ran 2:20.30 to set an impressive new PB, a near perfect race win, and UK Top 100 ranking. Sharp produced a breakthrough run, slicing two seconds off her 2025 PB to record a superb 2:20.30 and win her race in style. She executed the race perfectly: a controlled 69-second opening lap, sitting comfortably in the pack before pushing hard down the back straight and taking command with 200m to go.
After a period where her race performances hadn’t reflected her strong training form, this run now places her inside the UK top 100 and sets her up brilliantly for next week’s County Schools Trials, and hopefully a sub 2:20 clocking in the coming weeks.
Millie Sharp a long overdue PB in the U16G 800m
Also competing in the women’s U16 800m were Clara Booth who set a season’s best of 2:24.65, running well through the opening lap before fading slightly in the final 200m. With more race exposure and continued training, she is expected to make significant gains over the next month. Elsie Bennett also recorded a season’s best, battling well throughout despite finding the pace challenging. Her commitment was excellent, and further races will help her close the gap to her PB range.
In the 1500m races, Ben Scott ran the performance of the day in the U16 Boys race, running an excellent race and shaving two seconds off his PB with a well-judged 4:21.35, placing him just outside the UK top 120. He held his planned pace through the first two laps before finishing with an impressive 67-second final lap, suggesting further improvements are imminent.
Ben Scott with an impressive performance and two second PB
In the U18 Women’s 1500m, Luan Power produced a composed and disciplined run to record a season’s best of 4:55.56. Her pacing was controlled throughout, and she continues to look for her best form following a series of minor injuries. She will look to build form over the next 3-4 weeks.
Iona Ellwood was unable to approach her PB due to severe hay fever, which caused respiratory issues during the race. Despite this, she showed determination to complete the race in 5:11.76, over 20 seconds off her best. Once symptoms ease, she is expected to return quickly to her usual competitive level.
There were some fine performances in the U16 Boys 800m races with both Joshua Spavins & Oliver Smith setting new PB’s. Spavins produced a strong final 200m to take 1.5 seconds off his PB, finishing in 2:08.02. His strength and confidence in the closing stages are improving and he should see a continuing improvement over the coming weeks. Oliver Smith also set a new lifetime best, shaving half a second from his previous mark. He ran aggressively early and only faded slightly in the final stages. His progression this season has been consistent and encouraging, following a series of growth-related niggles.
Josh Spavins (48) & Oliver Smith (47) both running impressive new PB's
In the U18 Men’s 800m, George Sharp ran a strong, controlled race to finish just 0.2 seconds outside his PB. His pacing was disciplined, and he showed good competitive instincts in the final 150m. He remains in good shape and close to a breakthrough PB performance.
Well done to everyone who raced.