The cream of UK athletics was at Alexander Stadium at the weekend for the Novuna UK Athletics Championships looking to win national titles and bag World Championship selection. Although we may have had only one representative wearing the vest we did have Noel McKakly and Fiona Hancock officiating and ensuring that things progressed efficiently.
Our sole athlete, Miguel Francis, made light work of his heat over 100 metres and looked to be in fine form crossing the line in first place in a seasons best time of 10.24 to qualify for the semi-final but he DNF’d at the next stage, his coach saying that the long wait at the start meant he suffered from cramping in his quads which resulted in him pulling up. He looked in top shape and hopefully can put things right when he next competes in a week or so.
There was more track and field action at Telford where the club took part in their third fixture of the Midlands Track & Field League finishing in 4th place, their highest position so far and with their best points total of the season. Chyloh McKenzie was second in the 100 A in 11.31, Kyle Astley-Weah was 3rd in the B/C 1 race in 11.86 and Nacardo Lewis was 2nd in the B/C 2 race in 11.99. Chyloh claimed a win in the 100 A in 23.16, with Kyle placing 3rd in the B/C 1 race in 23.79. Over 400 there was a win for Roshane Gordon in the A race in 51.02, James Crust was 2ndin the B race in 49.13 with Paul Clarke placing 6th in 58.73. Over 800 Tom Pryor clocked 2.03.15 to take 2nd place in the A race and Ryan Hodgkiss was 3rdover 1500 in 4.16.07 in the A race. Dan Turner placed 5th in the 5000 A clocking a time of 16.30.38. The club placed 3rd in the 4 x 100 relay in 46.03.
In the field events Theo Nicholls placed 2nd in the high jump with a clearance of 1.60, Theo also took part in the long jump recording a 4th place finish with a leap of 5.01, Joe Deans took part in the B long jump finishing in 5th with 3.05. Theo also competed as a guest in the 100 recording a time of 12.08.
In the throws Tegjot Singh placed 4th in the shot with 8.80, Joe was 4th in the B competition with 8.44, Tegjot was 6th in the discus with 24.02, and also placed 5th in the javelin with a distance of 37.92, Joe bagging 6th place in the B competition with 20.71.
In the ladies competition Gabriella Okafor was 7th in the 100 A with 14.06, Mariama Foster was 4th in the B race with 14.28. Gabriella placed 6th over 200 in the A race clocking 29.81, with Mariama placing 4th in 30.12 in the B race. Over 400 Louise Webster stopped the clock in 1.10.72 to take 4th in the A race with Sabrina Thomas placing 2nd in the B race in 1.12.46. Millie Willaims was 4th in 2.26.65 in the 800 A with Ronni Read running in the B race and crossing the line in 1st place in 2.30.98. Grace Hendy won the 1500 in 4.51.92 with Zoleka Mzuka winning the B race in 4.53.87, Maria Calleia placed 5th in the same race in 5.26.37. The ladies were 2nd in the 4 x 400 in 4.38.99.
In the field events there was a 7th place finish for Louise Webster in the long jump recording a distance of 3.49 metres, Amelia Hancock was 6th in the B/C competition with 2.73.
In the throws Louise was 3rd in the shot with 8.78, with Amelia placing 5th in 6.16 in the B/C competition, Amelia was 5th in the A discus with 21.48, , Louise placed 3rd in the hammer with 38.12, with Amelia winning the B event throwing 37.41 metres, Louise placed 2nd in the A javelin with 23.98, Georgina Neilson took part in the B/C javelin competition placing 3rd with 17.62 with Amelia coming 5th with 12.40.
And our marathon couple were in action again, this time in the exotic location of Bedford Aerodrome where Dave Joynson competed the 26.2 distance in 3.38.44 to place 32nd overall and 2nd M60, Gill Mitchell stopped the clock in 5.58.17 placing 3rd in her age group and 96th overall.
Dave Norman
