Kettering Town Harriers performed well in the first Midland Track and Field League fixture of the season, finishing second of the six competing clubs.
Following relegation, KTH are re-grouping this season in Division Three (there are seven divisions in all). To be honest, the standard of competition in this division seems about right for our club’s resources at the moment. It was certainly a more encouraging outcome than the terrible drubbings we took in Division Two last season.
On the men’s side, we had three winners – the first since 2008! Jake Waples ran a commanding 800m, taking the lead with 200m to go. Jonathan Goringe was untroubled in the Steeplechase, although he eased up so much at the end that the result looks close.
In the final event of the day, men’s team captain Andy Mills took the Discus with a throw of over 36 metres, despite an injured ankle. Matt Pelezsok, who gamely competed in a wide range of events, won the B Discus.
Other good performances from the men included Ashley McClintock’s 51.3 for second in the 400m and an encouraging debut from Matt Stewart in the 800m and a superb leg in the 4x400 relay team, which finished second.
Gemma Elliott added another victory to her list of Midland League successes, winning the 400m by a narrow margin, hauling back the opposition on the home straight. Niamh Bailey ran well for the second in the B race and also won the High Jump with a superb personal best (1.55m). Izzie Collyer secured maximum points for the Harriers in the B string.
Alice Chapman with 13.1 in the 100m and Rebecca Hall in the 1500m both took second places.
With several athletes competing in unfamiliar events and good support from a number of our road runners, the Harriers (353 points) finished comfortably ahead of third placed Wolverhampton & Bilston (318). Tamworth were the winners with 399 points.
We will need to ensure that we are well represented at the three remaining meetings, all of which take place in the Birmingham area, on June 6th, July 3rd and August 1st.