The KTH veterans athletics team posted another impressive performance at match 2 of the Eastern Veterans Athletics League in Cambridge on Wednesday 1st June. Once again pitted against teams with much larger resources and numbers both the mens and womens teams performed admirably.
The womens team scored a fantastic 103 points to finish in third place on the night, an improvement from 5th at the previous event, and look well set to earn a place in September’s grand final. Both the Vet 35 and the Vet 45 relay teams stormed to victory in their respective heats of the 4 x 100m relay as did Katie Williams in the 200m and Helen Keyworth who dusted off her spikes for the first time in 20 years to win the 400m hurdles in a new club record.
The real success of the womens team is in their team spirit and determination to compete in as many events as possible to bolster the points tally. Top scorer on the night was team captain Amanda Marlow in the vet 35 category with 16 points in the triple jump/discus/javelin and relay, next was last month’s top performer Yvonne Elliot V45 who continued her good form with 15 points in the 200m/1 mile walk/triple jump and relay. Jill Tierney V35 excelled on the track to score 13 points in the 800m/3000m/400mh and relay, as did another newcomer Kerry Munn V45 who also scored 13 points in the 800m/3000m and relay. Katie Williams V35 and Helen Keyworth V45 both scored 8 points with their respective victories and also ran commanding legs of the relay. Sarah Bailey put in a strong performance in the field events with 6 points in the javelin and discus with Bronnwyne Smit adding 4 points in the 1 mile walk.
The mens team was again depleted due to injury and work/holiday commitments but still managed to improve their points tally from the previous event to 62 and finish comfortably in sixth position, still with an outside chance of a top four finish and a place in the final. Vet 50 newcomer Jerry Wise in only his second ever field event posted a strong 20.41m PB in the discus, inching ever closer to the club record.
Top scorer on the night was Paul Marlow V40 with 16 points from the 3000m/triple jump/discus and javelin followed by Alastair Moxey V40 with 13 points in his first ever competitive pole vault event/1 mile walk/200m and relay, matching that tally was Jerry Wise V50 in the discus/javelin and 1 mile walk followed by Peter Gorringe V50 in the 800m/3000m/triple jump and relay. Greg Smith V40 ran strongly in the 800m/400mh and relay despite suffering with a hamstring injury to score 8 points.
Once again the feedback from all our athletes was extremely positive; it’s especially pleasing to see people compete again after long absences or for the first time ever with smiles on their faces in such a friendly but still competitve enviroment. Match 3 is on the 6th July at St Ives; if anyone would like more information about taking part or attending on of our training nights please contact Paul Marlowon 07599-777762 or Andy Clawson / Amanda Marlow on a Tuesday / Thursday evening at the clubhouse opposite KLV.
Photo of ladies team here