Loughborough International (Sun. 21st May)
Dejaune Lingard was selected to represent the GB & NI U20 team over 200m for the Loughborough International on Sunday. He clocked a season's best of 10.62s in one of the non-scoring 100m races but did not start in the scoring 200m.
Ras Y Gader (Cader Idris Mountain Race) 11 miles, 3000 ft ascent (Sat. 20th May)
The mountain Cader Idris (literally Idris's Chair, Idris being a legendary Welsh Giant) looms above the town of Dolgellau, writes Clem Dixon. Six Cambridge Harriers were in the field of 300 that left the town square with the ambition to get to the top and back down as fast as they could. Cader regulars Tarbo Fukazawa, Christian Poulton, Clem Dixon and Graham Maynard were joined by Mark Newell who last ran this race ten years ago and by Paul Kent who is no stranger to the fells but was running this one for the first time.
After a mile and a half of road running you enter a forest along the shores of a lake where devilish tree roots lie in wait for the unwary then you are at the little car park where most walkers would start their ascent. You may have covered half the distance between the town and the summit by this point, but you have only accounted for a fifth of the height gain so it is time to engage four wheel drive! A hard slog takes you onto the main ridge of the mountain; still a mile to go, hardly a cloud in the sky and superb views across the Snowdonia range to the North and down to the coast to the West, the blue waters of Llyn y Gadair shimmering a thousand feet below you. Let the marshal witness you touch the summit trig point and it's back the way you came.
The heat was taking its toll on many by this time and the shade of the forest was something of a relief, but with eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness and with tired legs and sore feet the tree roots will have their way. The saying goes that if one of them has your name on it there is nothing that you can do about it and three of the six of us took tumbles. But all made it to the top and made it back down, and all had their stories to tell in The Ship (and various other of the town's hostelries) that evening.
Top: Graham Maynard & Mark Newell
Bottom: Tarbo Fukazawa & Clem Dixon
Results: 35. Tarbo Fukazawa 1:49:53, 58. Christian Poulton 1:57:21, 161. Graham Maynard 2:21:19, 211. Paul Kent 2:33:24, 216. Clem Dixon 2:36:06 & 282 Mark Newell 3:41:38.
The next outing for the fell runners is the rather more modest Coombe Hill in the Chilterns on the 4th of June, a perfect introduction to this type of running for anyone who likes the sound of fell running but is nervous about it.
Highgate Harriers Night of the 10,000m PB's (Sat. 20th May)
Night of the 10,000m PBs was first held in 2013 and has since grown in popularity and reputation. Organised by Highgate Harriers, it was established with the aim of improving British racing standards.
The main focus of the event is to promote and celebrate the 10,000-metre distance, providing an opportunity for athletes to achieve personal best times and spectators to witness thrilling races. The event typically includes multiple races throughout the afternoon and evening, including elite races featuring top national and international athletes, as well as races for club runners and up-and-coming talents.
The event is known for its unique and vibrant atmosphere, with spectators lining the track, music playing, and enthusiastic crowd support. The event also incorporates various entertainment elements, including live commentary, on-track interviews, and interactive fan activities.
Holly Dixon ran in the the Elite Women's/British Championship race finishing with a new personal best of 33:46.38s. Thomas Brooke ran in the second 10,000m race of the day, however it wasn't his day and he had to step off the track.
Southern Athletics League Division 2 North & East, Lee Valley (Sat. 20th May)
The opening fixture of the 2023 Southern Athletics League took place at Lee Valley on Saturday. We won the close fought match by 2.5 points and sit third in the table behind Havering AC and Ryston Runners AC by virtue of the fact that they accumulated more match points. The top two clubs will gain promotion to the top division.
Women: The women put out a strong team, reports Sophie Fenner, with only five events not covered. The days proceedings were opened with the hammer which saw season bests for Sophie Fenner with 35.03m for second and Natalie Mann with 33.44m to win the B-string. In the shot Natalie achieved a season's best of 7.97m and a there was a personal best for Sophie of 6.93m. In the javelin Katie Marsh finished second and there was another B-string win for Natalie. The last field event of the day, the discus, resulted in a massive season's best for Katie with 25.76m.
In the short sprints Doyin Aderinto ran a season's best of 12.04s and Faith Assah stepped into the 200m at the last minute and ran a big personal best of 25.44s.
In the sprint hurdles there were PBs for Keziah Olaleye (16.03s), Gabby Noyce (17.12s) and Cerys Daniels (17.04s). Keziah and Gabby both ran PBs in the 400mH of 69.28s and 74.37s respectively. There were personal bests in the long jump for Gabby (4.93m), Cerys (4.23m) and Agnes Rock (4.15m). Cerys also set a new PB in the high jump of 1.53m, to win the A-string.
In the 1500m there were solid runs from Amelia Lawrence (5:03.41s) and Lucy Marlow (5:18.12s). Running as a non-scorer Emer Tynan (U17) removed 10 seconds from her personal best with 5:07.24s. Georgia Huddleston made her debut on the track for the club in the 3000m clocking 10:52.07s and Lucy ran a season's best of 11:07.95s.
The clubs 4 x 100m U17W club record holders of Nuriah Orhurhu, Faith Assah, Zafirah Alebiosu and Ciara McGinty took maximum points, but were not as quick this time.
Men: Winning performances came from Samuel Scrase-Field (U17) in the 800m running a PB of 2:03.60s and Brandon Sikity in the long jump with 6.24m, and a B-string high jump win for team manager Omari Markland-Montgomery.
Top: Emer Tynan & Amelia Lawrence - Luke Ford
Bottom: Olly Buck - Tim Carter & Wole Odele