Watford PB No 5 for Matt!
A few Harriers middle distance squad attended the Watford Graded meeting on Wednesday 13th June looking for fast times, and in near perfect conditions there were some successes. Matt Stewart was rewarded with his 5th PB of the season in a brutal 800m race where he was jostled around and virtually run the whole race in lanes 2-3, but was rewarded with a new lifetime best of 1:58.89, a full second from his previous best. Fran Ashworth is slowly returning to some form and ran a 2 second SB to record her third fastest ever 800m of 2:19.72 and will be hoping for a chance to hit the English Schools qualification time of 2:17.0 in the next week. Kayli Walford also ran a rare 800m to get some speed and recorded 2:27.79.
County Schools Update
A total of 9 Harriers from the Middle distance squad were successful in qualifying for the Mason Trophy during the the Northants County Schools championships held in less than ideal conditions for fast times at a blustery Corby Triangle.
Eddie Cherry still looking for an English Schools Qualifying time of 51.1, ran a terrific front running race and recorded a superb 52.2 for the conditions, and will be hoping for both stern competition and better weather at the Mason Trophy next week. Lauren Mehmet running at the shorter distance of 200m, also ran brilliantly to win in fine style with 28.2.
In the 800m Beth Gordon, on the way back from injury, ran well for 6th position and a new SB 2:39.3. In the Junior Boys race Edward Cannell and Ethan Mehmet were competing, and in a very positive race, Ethan Mehmet powered his way to a new PB of nearly 5 seconds to record 2:20.8 for 5th position, Edward Cannell finished in 7th position. In the Intermediate Girls Race the Harriers pairing of Fran Ashworth & Jess Gordon dominated the race and easily finished in 1st & 2nd respectively with 2:26.0 & 2:27.5 which was a little slower than had been hoped for, but good for the conditions. Both will also be looking for better competition and weather at the Mason Trophy. Matt Stewart was looking for a fast race before he departs to Germany for a few weeks so ran as a guest in the IB 800m, which he won comfortably in 2:00.
In the IG 3000m Kayli Walford and Claudia Kelsell were representing the Harriers, and Kayli ran a sound tactical race to easily win in an new PB of 11:12.9; Claudia unfortunately had to withdraw due to the effects of a virus.
In the 1500m, Gemma Vaughan was first off in the JG race, and ran a positive race to finish 3rd in 5:27.3. In the JB race, Jack Hope, looking for a fast time, was frustrated with the weather and lack of competition, and cruised to victory in a respectable 4:40.0. Liam Kirk was also successful in qualifying in the IB 1500m with a solid run to record a new PB of 4:28, finishing in 2nd position. Josh Coles was the sole competitor in the IB 1500m Steeple Chase, which had benefited from the recent wet weather and subsequent cancellation of the Anglian Water hose pipe ban, enabling the water jump to be used! In only his second race Josh was frustrated by the weather and recorded 4:48.2, still some way shy of the 4:36 qualification time required for English Schools, he will also be hoping for some competition and better weather at the Mason Trophy.
Finally Josh Caea and Abigail Coleman competing for rival counties also did well in their 1500m races, Josh easily winning the Warwickshire JB 1500 in 4:35 to qualify for the Mason Trophy and ready to battle Jack Hope! Abigail running in the Leicestershire championships finished 2nd in 5:16, but unfortunately no chance to race at the Mason trophy ans Leicestershire do not participate in the event.
Well done to all who competed, and good luck to all in the Mason Trophy on 23rd June.