5 of the middle distance squad were in action in an early Watford Graded meeting, which guarantees ultra-high quality races for athletes looking to set fast times, and with many Junior GB internationals making the trip, it was a fantastic evenings racing.
U13 Emily Williams and U15 Rebecca Hughes both looking to set early 800m times were in action and Emily following her 14 second PB from the Kett opening meeting ran superbly to finish 2nd in a 2:25 race to record an excellent 3 second PB of 2:27.68 and record the quickest time for an U13 of the night, with Rebecca Hughes setting her second consecutive PB in 5 days running well to finish in 6th with 2:30.13.
A rejuvenated Fran Ashworth was looking to capitalise on her two fine opening warm up races and get in a quick opening 800m early on, was in inspired form running a superb race to track the leader U15 B Jake Alderson throughout the race and finish second in the 2:18 heat and record her second fastest time ever over the distance with 2:17.19, and will now look to build on this and attempt to better her 2011 PB and in the process secure an English schools qualification time of 2:16!
Last of the 800m specialist was Lewis Hayes in his first outing in 2014, and in only his 3rd ever 800m race, Lewis again produced the good with a stunning last 200m kick to break the field and finish narrowly behind the winner in 2nd place to set a New U20 Men club record of 1:55.05, and by the narrowest of margins miss out on an English Schools qualification time by .05 of a second! He will certainly look to go faster still over the coming weeks and secure his ES time.
Next it was Claudia Nevett’s chance to impress over her preferred 3k distance, fresh from her 9 second 1500m PB at the Kett Open, she did not disappoint running a superbly controlled race over this distance for only the second time she clocked 11:00.08 knocking an incredible 57 seconds from her PB!
More of the squad will compete at Watford over the coming weeks in what looks set to be an exciting season for the Middle Distance Squad.
Shane Smith