Weekly Update - 20th Aug. 2025

England Athletics National Relay Championships, Birmingham (Sun. 17th Aug.)

England Athletics organised this event for the second year, inviting the top 24 ranked teams in the country to compete in 4 x 100m and 4 x 300m and 4 x 400m relays, writes Mick Bond. There are 15 events in total, and we were invited to send teams for seven of them this year. An excellent day ensued with the club’s athletes setting three new club records and coming home with gold and bronze medals and some great memories.

Top performers were the Under 17 Men’s 4 x 400 team who went into the event as second favourites. Immanuel Jegede set us on the way with a solid first leg, Rhys Joyeux moved us up to the top two then Josh Wellings moved us away from the rest of the field and gave Elijah Olaleye a commanding lead to take round the final leg. The time of 3:24.21. took more than two seconds off the 43 year old club record.

In the same age group our sprinters (Ekene Ogbonna, Luca Gayle-Jones, Zavier Brathwaite & Hans Nmaju) managed three good changes against the best in the country and finished third in the 4 x 100 with another club record of 42.67s, whilst the Under 17 Women's quartet of Danielle Agyemang-Tolbert, Jayda McKenzie, Sienna Thompson and Nia Thomas broke the 4 x 300 club record with 2:50.67s, finishing 7th fastest overall on the day.

(Photograph from Elijah Olaleye's Instagram)

U17M 4 x 400m can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Ghxo8XmNllU?si=4nCn_hPY3zY6lqbj

England Masters AA Outdoors Inter-Area Challenge, York (Sun. 17th Aug.)

Five club athletes made the long journey to York to compete in this competitive Inter-Area competition for their respective masters clubs, reports Tim Carter. Natalie Mann (W40 - VAC) covered all the throws in the W35-49 age grouping - the highlight being second place in the discus with season's best of 26.35m.

Wole Odele (SCVAC) was in great form taking 2nd M60 places over 100/200/400m, the highlights being season's bests of 26.43s and 57.75s for the 200 and 400m - both club age group records. Tim Carter (VAC) won the M70 long jump with a season's best 4.08m - club record for M70.

Matt Preston (VAC) gained a gutsy second in M50 1500m - 4:45.54s and Peter Wishart (Eastern Masters) a solid 4th place in M60 discus.

Sutcliffe Track & Field Night, Eltham (Wed. 13th Aug.)

The last of our Wednesday night opens was the biggest entry of the season with over 300 athletes competing. These meetings provide good local competition for our club members whilst earning valuable income to keep the club’s finances in good order. A big thank you to all who have helped on the organisation and officiating to make them run so smoothly.

Officials Team 2025

Club BBQ

A reminder for members to book your tickets for yourself, friends and family for our annual BBQ on 6th September at the clubhouse. https://forms.gle/BXF6GpMWQnPmiuoNA