The traditional curtain-raiser to the track and field season, the Northamptonshire County Championships, once again provided an excellent start for local athletes, with the Harriers enjoying a highly successful weekend at Corby’s Rockingham Triangle. Held jointly with Leicestershire and Rutland, the two-day championship saw the club claim just shy of 50 medals against strong county opposition across the County. Conditions were largely favourable, with warm sunshine on Saturday giving way to cooler temperatures and a biting wind on Sunday, while light to moderate winds across the weekend had some impact on performances.
Middle-Distance Squad Report
Northants AA County Championships, Corby – A Superb 16-Medal Weekend
Kettering Town Harriers’ Middle-Distance squad delivered a superb weekend of racing at the Northants AA County Championships at Rockingham Triangle, returning an impressive 16 medals across the two days. Despite a smaller squad than in previous years, the athletes produced a series of high-quality performances, including seven county titles, multiple PBs, and several breakthrough runs across the age groups.
One of the standout performances of the championships came from Josh Cannell, who produced two outstanding displays to secure both the Senior Men’s 800m and 1500m titles. In the 800m, Josh delivered a perfectly judged race, staying composed through the opening lap before powering clear in the final 200m to take the gold in a fine new PB. Returning on Day 2 for the 1500m, he controlled the race from the bell, stretching the field on the final lap to complete the classic middle-distance double an impressive achievement at county level.
Josh’s weekend was a model of maturity, race intelligence, and confidence, and sets a superb example for the younger athletes in the squad, and follows on from a superb Cross Country season, and recent fine new Half Marathon and 5k PB's.
Josh Cannell Completes a Classic Middle-Distance Double
Marianna Owen produced one of the most commanding victories of the weekend, winning the U16 Girls 800m from the front with a superbly controlled run. She took the race out positively, dictated the pace throughout, and powered away in the final 200m to secure gold in a new PB. This was performance full of authority and intent to start her new track season, and the Harriers showed their strength in the 800m event with a fine Silver medal won my Millie Sharp who held strong to see off a late challenge for the Silver medal.
Marianna Owen (right) U16 Girls 800m Champion, with Millie Sharp taking the Silver
One of the youngest Harriers in action, Eion Fitzpatrick, delivered a performance of real quality and versatility to win the U12 Boys Quadrathon.
What made the victory even more impressive was that two of the four events, the howler throw and long jump, are disciplines he has had little experience or training in. Despite this, he competed with determination and consistency, keeping himself in contention throughout.
But it was the 600m where Eion truly shone. He produced a majestic, dominant run, surging clear of the field and winning comfortably, a performance that drew high praise from coaches and spectators alike. A superb all-round display and a well-deserved Quadrathon Gold.
Eion Fitzpatrick – U12 Quadrathon Champion
It was an excellent weekend for Ben Scott, who secured medals on both days with a fine Bronze in the U16 Boys 800m with a new PB. Ben showed real grit in the 800m to take Bronze in a tightly contested race, then returned on Day 2 with renewed confidence to deliver a superbly controlled run in the 1500m, pulling clear in the final stages to take the county title in style, with a battling run from Oliver Smith who missed out on the medals in the 800m, taking the Silver medal.
Ben Scott (right) Double Medal Success, with Oliver Smith taking a Silver in the U16B 1500m
Another standout performance came from Iona Ellwood, who produced a beautifully timed race to win the U18 Girls 800m in a new PB. Sitting patiently through the opening lap, she made her move with 300m to go, surging past the field and stretching away for a decisive victory. A composed, intelligent run and a well-deserved county title. Again the Harriers showed their strength in the event with a fine run from Orla Enright to take the Silver medal.
Iona Ellwood (left) U18 Girls 800m Champion, with Orla Enright taking the Silver medal
Harlee Hooker making his debut over 5000m on track rand a fine race to take the Silver medal, while Max Cochrane also won a fine Silver medal in the U14 boys 800m race setting a new PB.
On day two there was also considerable success for the Harriers in the longer sprints, with Millie sharp adding a second Silver medal to her collection in the U16G 300m with a strong run. Claudia Terrell making her KTH debut also won a silver in the U18 women’s 400m.
Peyton Almond produced a strong run in the U18 woman’s 1500m, taking the Gold medal in style.
Peyton Almond Gold in the U18 1500m
With 16 medals from the Middle-Distance squad alone, including multiple county titles, three gold-silver doubles, and a host of PBs, this was an excellent championship weekend for the club. The performances of Josh Cannell, Marianna Owen, Eion Fitzpatrick, and Ben Scott, were particular highlights, but the squad as a whole showed depth, commitment, and quality across all age groups.
Well done to everyone who competed.
Sprint Squad Report
A total of 12 gold medals, 10 silver, and 1 bronze were won at this year’s championships by athletes in the sprint squad. 27 personal bests, and 9 club records were also set.
Hal Hawkins, U12, competed in the quadrathon. This comprised of competing in the 75m, long jump, howler, and 600m. In the 75m, his preferred event, he set a personal best and club record of 10.8 seconds. He followed that up with a jump of 3.40 metres in the long jump, throw of 25.81 in the howler, & finally ran 1.57.92 seconds in the 600m. His performances resulted in him being awarded the silver medal.
Hal Hawkins with a superb performance in the Quadrathon for an overall Silver Medal
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Sophie Bridgeman competed in the U14 girls 100m & 200m over the weekend, winning gold in both events. In the 100m heat, she ran a personal best of 13.19 seconds. She lowered that again in the final to 13.10 seconds. The 200m was a straight final, and she once again set a personal best of 26.35 seconds. Both of her medal winning performances were club records. Lucy-Rose Buckingham & Scarlett Goldberg both also competed in this age group, and both athletes were able to set personal bests in all of their races.
Sophie Bridgeman with a double Gold in the 100m & 200m, both new Club Records
Jayden Opoku was the only boy from the squad competing in the U14 boys age group. In the 100m & 200m, which were both straight finals, he was able to set personal bests of 13.74 seconds and 28.23 seconds, picking up silver medals, and setting club records in both events.
In the U16 girls age group, Olivia Humphrey ran a season best 13.93 seconds in the heats of the 100m to finish 3rd and qualify for the final, in which she finished 7th in 14.04 seconds. Matilda Abbott also competed in the 100m, running 14.02 seconds in her heat to finish 5th and also qualify for the final, in which she finished 7th in 14.16 seconds. In the 200m, both girls also qualified for the final after running 29.39 seconds and 29.96 seconds respectively in their heats. Matilda’s time was a personal best. In the final, Olivia finished 6th in 29.63 seconds, while Matilda was 7th in 30.33 seconds. Robyn Evans and Darci Cleaver also competed in this age group, with Robyn finishing 5th in her heat in 30.54 seconds, and Darci finishing 6 th in hers in 30.96 seconds.
Aaron Ampofo, Kessley Williams, and Sam Philp all competed in the U16 boy’s 100m. Heat 1 featured Aaron and Sam who both ran wind assisted times of 11.56 seconds and 12.23 seconds to finish 2nd and 4th to qualify for the final. Kessley also qualified for the final after finishing 3rd in his heat in a personal best time of 12.07 seconds. Aaron went on to finish 2nd in the final in a personal best of 11.56 seconds, a club record. Kessley was 6th in 12.10 seconds, and Sam finished 7th in a personal best of 12.24 seconds.
The previous day, Aaron and Kessley had been joined by Noah Fardon in the 200m final. All 3 athletes had good runs with Aaron winning the gold in a personal best and club record of 23.23 seconds. Kessley just missed out on a medal, finishing 4th in a personal best of 25.27 seconds, while Noah also ran a personal best in 6th place with a time of 24.87 seconds.
Aaron Ampofo with a Gold in the U16 200m and a new Club Record
Also competing in the U16 age group, were Harry Smith and Isaac Colledge, who were both in the 300m event. Harry, whose race was hampered by a foot injury, went on to win the silver medal in 37.95 seconds, behind Daventry’s Ethan Best. Harry had set a club record of 37.57 seconds in his opening race of the season at the Charnwood Open the previous month. Isaac ran a strong race, but missed out on winning a medal, finishing 6th in 49.30 seconds.
Aidan Hooks was the only athlete in the U18 age group to compete that weekend. In the 400m, despite running a strong 300m, Aidan, who only competed over that distance once last season, finished in 6th place in a personal best of 56.67 seconds.
Elizabeth Reading, whose winter training had been hampered by a foot injury, competed in the U20 women’s 100m and 200m. She won both races in 12.98 seconds and 26.73w to win gold. Ruben Farrag took a break from studying for exams to compete in the U20 men’s 100m. His time of 11.69 seconds, to finish 2nd and win silver, was a personal best.
Elizabeth Reading (middle) with a Double Gold in the U20 Women's 100m & 200m flanked by
Silver Medallists Charlotte Rainbow (left) and Holly Abbott
Charlotte Rainbow won silver in the Senior women’s 100m in 13.82 seconds, followed home by Holly Abbott in 14.10 seconds to win the bronze medal. Holly won the silver medal in the 200m the previous day in 29.33w seconds.
Lewis-Morgan Barton won gold in the Senior men’s 100m and 200m. His run in the 100m in a time of 11.22 seconds held great significance as it was the first time that an athlete from Kettering Town Harriers had won the Senior men’s title. In the 200m, he had another strong run to win in 22.08 seconds. Cole Sinnott was a creditable 2nd place in both races to win the silver medals, in 11.49 seconds in the 100m, and 22.46 seconds in the 200m.
Lewis-Morgan Barton (right) with a double Gold in the SM 100m & 200m, with Cole Sinnott winning a Silver medal in both events
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Masters athlete, Matt Griffiths, was a triple gold medalist on what was a very busy weekend for him. Competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and long jump, he set new personal bests in all 4 events, and club records in all 3 sprint events - 12.23 seconds in the 100m, 25.09 seconds in the 200m, 56.84 seconds in the 400m, and 5.34 metres in the long jump. What he achieved over the weekend was highly commendable and inspirational.
Matt Griffith an inspiration to the younger athletes, with three Gold Medals.
A huge congratulations to all the athletes from the squad who competed at the championships. You all represented the squad extremely well.
Throws & Jumps
The Northamptonshire County Championships saw a small but determined Throws & Jumps Squad compete across a very mixed weekend of conditions. Saturday brought hot sunshine, while Sunday’s hammer and javelin events were met with cooler overcast skies and a frustrating side wind that pushed javelins offline and made strong performances difficult.
Despite the conditions, there were some excellent performances, technical improvements, and several personal bests achieved across the squad.
Matilda Abbott produced strong performances in the U16 girls’ events, achieving PBs in both discus and hammer, showing excellent progress in her technique and consistency. Lucie Cleaver also enjoyed a successful championship, competing across discus, hammer and shot, achieving a big PB in the discus alongside another PB in the shot, while continuing to develop well technically in all three disciplines.
For the senior women, Holly Abbott achieved another shot PB and continued to compete strongly in the discus. George Mills competed well in the U18 boys’ javelin, with the difficult wind conditions affecting distances throughout the competition but still showed good technical work with the 700g implement.
For the Jumps squad, Senior Woman multi eventer Toni Robinson won an astonishing 4 Gold Medals, setting new PB's in all events in the process. Toni won Gold's for the Long Jump, High Jump and Triple Jump, as well as the Shot. Lucie Cleaver won an impressive Bonze in the U16 Girls Long Jump with a PB.
Toni Robinson with a superb medal haul of 4 Gold's over the weekend
Overall, it was a positive championship weekend for the Throws & Jumps squad, with athletes showing commitment, resilience, and continued development throughout the competition.
Very well done to every athlete who competed over the weekend.