Team manager Paul Marlow reports:
The Kettering Town Harriers veteran ladies athletics team brought the curtain down on a record breaking season by competing in the grand final of the Eastern Veterans Athletic Competition (EVAC) at the Bedford international stadium on Sunday 11th September.
After qualifying from their division in third place and seventh overall of the eight finalists the ladies performed well above expectations to finish the day with 143.5 points and a sixth place finish.
Competing against clubs such as Chelmsford, Milton Keynes, Ryston (Kings Lynn) and Loughton who have vast resources and numbers to call on highlights the magnitude of their achievement .
Conditions on the day were difficult as clear blue skies gave way to monsoon like wind and rain at regular intervals, undeterred by this the ladies team spirit and determination which has been the cornerstone of their success throughout the season came to the fore as every competitor in every event was cheered on by the team.
The outstanding performance of the day and top scorer was Helen Keyworth V45 who claimed three 1st place finishes in the 400m, 800m and 400mh to add to two 3rd place finishes in the 200m and high jump to score 36 points and break no less than three club veteran records along the way.
Team captain Amanda Marlow V35 led from the front and showed her versatility to cover six field events and score 29.5 points from the hammer, shot putt, javelin, long jump, triple jump and high jump achieving four personal bests on the day to add to her enthusiastic approach to captaincy.
Kerry Munn V45 gave her usual cool assured performance to win both the 3000m and the 1500m in tough conditions to score 16 points whilst GB star Katie Williams stormed home first and third respectively in the 100m and 200m to score 14 points.
Jill Tierney V35 had a busy day on the track scoring 9 points in the 400mh, 800m and a personal best in the 400m to cap a fine season as did Sarah Bailey V45 who also scored 9 points with a tough schedule in the hammer, shot putt, javelin and discus.
Bronwyn Smit V35 finished fourth in a tough 2k walk event to score 4 points with recent veteran Hayley Hunter V35 competing for the first time scoring 7 points in the 1500m, 3000m and with a personal best in the discus to prove that achieving veteran status is clearly something to look forward to.
Having top scored twice already this season Yvonne Elliott V45 demonstrated her strength of character and commitment to the team cause to score 7 points in the 100m, long jump, triple jump, a club record 2k walk time and a strong leg of the relay despite nursing a heavily strapped and injured knee, an amazing feat.
In the 2x 200, 2x 400 relay event the V45 team of Helen Keyworth, Yvonne Elliott, Sarah Bailey and Kerry Munn looked set for victory as they gave their all to lead going into the home straight only to be pegged back into third place on the finish line, their consolation being a new club veteran record of 3mins 47 secs.
In the V35 relay event Jill Tierney, Amanda Marlow, Bronwyn Smit and Katie Williams ran a team best 3mins 45 secs but had to settle for fourth place in a very competitive race.
This inaugural season competing in the EVAC league has undoubtedly been a resounding success, not only have our athletes broken no less than TEN club veteran records, along with personal best achievements too numerous to mention, it has also helped to raise the profile of KTH across the region.
The team spirit and camaraderie has been excellent and has helped to forge stronger links between the track and road running athletes, it has also encouraged several new members to join the club, learn new skills and techniques and compete in a competitive but fun environment, well done to all the men and ladies who were part of this success.
2011 New Veteran Club Records
Greg Smith MV40 Pole Vault 1.95 3/8/2011
Amanda Marlow WV35 80MH 18.7 3/9/2011
Helen Keyworth WV45 200M 30.7 11/9/2011
Helen Keyworth WV45 400M 67.7 11/9/2011
Helen Keyworth WV45 400MH 76.8 1/6/2011
Helen Keyworth WV45 High Jump 1.15 11/9/2011
Yvonne Elliott WV45 1 Mile Walk 12.11 3/8/2011
Yvonne Elliott WV45 2K Walk 15.30 11/9/2011
Kerry Munn WV45 3000M 12.40.9 3/8/2011
2x 200 2x 400 Relay WV45 3.47 11/9/2011
Yvonne Elliott
Sarah Bailey
Helen Keyworth
Kerry Munn
Planning is well under way for next season, structured training and coaching will continue throughout the winter with some come and try/taster sessions planned for April 2012, we are also hoping to host one of the meetings next season which will be another first for the club.
