Track News 30 June

Dave Forrester set a new club 1500m best of 3.47.96, just 0.66 secs short of the European junior qualifying standard, in the BMC Grand Prix at Watford. At Preston, Heather Drillingcourt, competing as a guest in the Mid-Lancs League, recorded 44.9 secs for 300m.

Race For Life 27 June - Sherdley Park

The club was involved in organising the Race For Life which is to raise money for breast cancer. Heather Drillingcourt got in the Star for finishing second in 19.32, Louise Hayes and Rachel Wilcock were equal 9th in 22.17. Vicky Lamb was 18th in 23.22, Becky O'Brien and Jenny Lamb roughly equal 23rd in 23.51. Others taking part were Mrs Peter Code (sorry I don't know your first name!!) in 24.08. Lauren Bradshaw and mater, Amanda Paton, Mrs Paton and Lizzie Mousdale. Ray Vose and athletes provided the pacemaking while John Irwin, Colin Spark and other provided the course!!! Report from Julia Hayes..
 

Road Racing:24- 26 June.

Denis Wharton won the over 50 prize at the Manchester YMCA 5k recording 39.28 in 51st place while Jill Colbert made an an excellent debut with second place in the over 35 category in 47.50, only seven seconds behind the winner. Chris Reid also competed finishing 171st in 45 minutes dead.

Peter Johnson was 42nd in the Lymm 5k, recording 18.27, Louise Hogg 137rd in 21.58 Results.

National Under 20 Championships and European Trials- Bedford - 24/25 June.

David Forrester rewrote the record books by recording 3.51.87 to take third place in the Under 20 1500m championships and trials and is one of four competitors to take part in specially organised races at Stretford and Watford this week to see who can reach the European qualifying standard. Thaddeus Anim-Somuah, another first year junior, recorded 23.19 in his heat of the 200m. Both athletes will be back for more. Congratulations to both.

Young Athletes League - Warrington 24 June

On paper we didn't stand a chance of holding Blackpool, Warrington or Wrexham but matches aren't won on paper and we gave them all a run for their money. Had it not been for absences brought on by illness, studying demands, exams and, in some cases, who knows why, we might have beaten the Wrexham side we were only twelve points behind at the finish. It means we remain eighth in the table and a good turn out is essential in the final match next month.

Steve Clague and Chelsea Jarvis led the way, Steve setting new records in the under 17 hammer and 400m hurdles before combining with Jake Healy, Ryan Fahey and John Dumbell for a 4x400m run which was less than two seconds outside the club record. Mike Jukes returned to competition after almost a year out with a fracture to record wins in the shot putt (10.42 - only 20 cms short of the club record) and discus (19.91).

Chelsea warmed up for her 1200m by running a cracking 150m (21.5) then had to follow her Blackpool opponent who ran the first 200m in 32 secs!!! Patience paid off and she caught the orange vested girl on the final bend to win in a new record 3.55.7. Rhiannon Armstrong made an immediate impact with victory in the high jump (1.37), Danielle McGifford first B (1.25) and creating a hurdles double with Lucy Renshall (12.6 and 14.0).

There were a host of second places including Amanda Paton and Liane Bibby (100m). Rose Hindley (150m), Rachel Wilcock and Vicky Lamb (800m), Louise Hayes (1200m) and Tricia Spark (shot putt).

For the under 15 girls Jemma Shaw and Lauren Bradshaw (1500) provided maximum points in the 1500m, Lucy Croft won the discus and Natalie Garrity the B 800m (2.38.2). There was a determined performance from Kathryn Rumsey, who learned how to hurdle ten minutes before her race, was in second place until she hit the eighth barrier, stayed on her feet despite her legs buckling under her and was only just out-dipped on the line. In the A race Natalie Bannister set yet another personal best.

Heather Drillingcourt set a personal best in the discus, while Natasha Le Surf did the same in the high jump. Lucy Waterworth was second in the javelin. Sophie Rigby showed her continued improvement in the long jump with 4.60, Jenny Lamb fitted into the relay team as if she had been a member for years while Katie Waterworth limped out with the injury which has troubled her all season.

The under 15 Boys all mucked in for the benefit of the team none more so than Jonathan Griffiths, Joe Williams, Tom Prescott and Jamie White who contested the sprints. Jonathan later went on to record a p.b. 23.55 in the javelin while Jamie won the B string 1500m. David T Griffiths also played his part set new figures in the javelin (25.70), taking second in the 800m and turning his hand to the discus.

Jamie Webb picked up a second place in the 800m as did John Ashcroft in the 1500m while Luke James was the model of consistency against tough opposition in the high jump, long jump and discus.

Amy Pilkington led the under 17 girls with three excellent performances (200, 300 and shot) and was well supported in the javelin, discus and, with a sprained wrist, in the shot by Danielle Coatsworth (if you see Danielle this week she's the one with her arm in a splint!!!) while Elisabeth Mousdale learned that Sunday performances are influenced by late Saturday nights but still managed to win the 300m B string. The Under 17 trio who competed are worth their weight in gold.

Twenty five additional points were scored by our track officials Julia Hayes & Karen "I'll do an hour" Jarvis, Pam Appleton and Janet Holmes timekeeping, with George Mullineux, John Irwin, Sue Clague, Carl Bibby, Andy Drillingcourt, Mr Rigby, Colin Sparks and Lol Jarvis all eagerly volunteering to assist in the field - well perhaps the word "volunteering" isn't quite accurate but they all did a great job. There was plenty of support from parents, including some who hadn't been before.

Phil Thomas acted as team manager, complete with small table and chair borrowed from Warrington before they arrived - and returned promptly I should add. No doubt people will let me know if anyone has been left off the list. The match scores were Blackpool 359; Warrington 329; Wrexham 290; St Helens-Sutton 290. Results have been circulated.

ESAA Regional Pentathlon - Stoke 24 June

On a rainy day in Stoke Samantha Fraser finished third and qualified to take part in the ESAA Pentathlon Championships in Exeter in September (anything for a weekend away!!!). Samantha scored 2721 points with a 10metre (Shot), 1.50(high jump), 4.67 (long jump), 12.4 hurdles and 2.50 (800).

Save the Badger - Lancashire - 21 June

Sarah Charnock ran in the second "Save the Badger" race recording exactly the same time and finishing in exactly the same place as the first time round (11th - 42.18 - 1st lady).

Firefighters 5k - Liverpool 20 June

Robbie Marsh was 17th in 18.17, Peter Johnson 18th in 18.31 while Louise Hogg's 47th place earned her third placed female in 22.00.  Results

Northern Senior and Junior Championships - Liverpool 16/17 June

Sprinters Craig Knight and Thaddeus Anim-Somuah recorded 11.48 and 11.31 to finish fifth in the senior 100 and fourth in the junior 100 heats respectively. John Appleton was eighth in the junior 2k Steeplechase in 6.50.74.

Dave Forrester was just outside the club record in his heat of the 1500m before taking the junior title in a new club junior record of 3.56.26.

Thaddeus returned on day two of the Championships, recording 22.77 to reach the final of the 200m and 22.74 for taking eighth place in his first year as a junior. Results

Mason Trophy - Birmingham 16 June

A number of club athletes represented Merseyside Schools in Mason Trophy meeting at Alexander Stadium. Not many people know that the stadium is name after W W Alexander, the President of Birchfield Harriers in the 1880's. In common with many club Presidents in those days (and some clubs today) he used to "buy" athletes by paying them to run for his club contrary to the rules of amateur sport.

However, to today's action. Merseyside's team included Steve Clague who finished sixth A in the 400m Hurdles (68.2), Tom Green was third.B in the 200m (24.8), Holly Keenaghan took third B in the high jump (1.45) and John Ashcroft's 4.40.5 in the 1500m earned him fifth B.

Samantha Fraser, representing Cheshire, arrived after the start of the shot putt (traffic between Hilton Park and the A34 always tails back for ages) but still managed 10.34m to win her event.

Everyone now awaits the decision of the County Schools' selectors to see who will join Samantha Fraser (Cheshire) and Dave Forrester (Greater Manchester) in attending this year's ESAA Championships in July.

Grasmere Gallop : 10 June and Other recent results

Gill Laithwaite galloped up to the Lake District to finish twentieth in the Grasmere Gallop and win the ladies' first prize by some margin in 49.01.

Eleanor Reynolds continued her dominance over her boyfriend by beating him (I'm not sure that is how I intended to write this!) at the Tunnel 10k finishing seventeenth lady in 47.10. At the Knowsley Corporate event Julian Corfe helped Mysercough College into fourth place while Christine Dempsey was part of the  De La Salle team which finished fifteenth. Julian recorded 18.50 and Chris 24.42.

An eagle-eyed observer spotted Dave Forrester, Ray Vose, Steve Mayers and Greg Williams in the vicinity with all bar Ray being recorded through as part of the Whiston Town Mayor's team.Billy Mousdale also turned out, representing Ellesmre Port Housing Harriers, recording a pb19:44 ( first time under 20 mins). The  team came 13th overall.
 

County Schools' Championships - 9 June

Clubs members collected half a dozen county schools' titles from three different counties on a hot day in Liverpool, Manchester and Macclesfield. At the latter Samantha Fraser clinched selection for the ESAA championships with 10.82m which set a National Standard for the shot putt and rewrote the club record books by 36 cms. At Trafford, Dave Forrester ran 1.53.9 from the front to be given the choice of whether to run in the 800 or 1500m at Birmingham, a decision he will reach after this weekend's Northern Championships at Wavertree.

At Wavertree Steve Clague was given a brilliant time of 56.6 for the 400m hurdles. However, although Steve's actual time of 66.6 was a personal best and a club record, it wasn't quite as fast as the results indicate. However, such incidentals won't matter to the Power of Ten Rankings! (in-joke for those who know). Steve did collect the Inter Boys' title as a result of his performance and has a good future at this event.

The other title winners came in the Year 7 age group as Tricia Spark (Shot), Liane Bibby (80m) and Rose Hindley (150m) repeated their county success while Danielle McGifford won the long jump with a leap of 4.04.

A number of athletes earned the right to represent Merseyside at the Mason Trophy in Birmingham next Saturday. They included Holly Keenaghan, who cleared 1.50m in the high jump, Tom Green, who set two personal bests including a fine second place in the 200m (24.5).  John Ashcroft produced another fine  performance recording 4.37.8 for second place in the 1500m in which Jamie White and David Griffiths were fifth and sixth.

The younger middle distance athletes ran well, Andy Harvey (2.34.5), Jamie Webb (2.35.1) and a fine debut from Tom Prescott (2.27.5). Heather Drillingcourt maintained her unusual combination of 800 and 100, reaching the final, alongside Sophie Rigby, in the latter and setting a personal best 2.29.8 in the former.

Amanda Paton and Tricia Spark reached the 80m and the 150m finals respectively, Joanna Bebbington improved her pb to 16.5 in her second hurdles competition, Natasha Le Surf, Lauren Sephton and Emily Dickinson all contested the sprints while Lauren Bradshaw took part in the 1500m and long jump. Rachel Wilcock was fourth in the 800m and Jemma Shaw produced a fine late burst to grab sixth spot in the 1500m.

Steve Latham completed the 400m in 57.1 and expects to be back to regular training after his exams along with Rachel Harrison (20.13 - 5th Discus), Sports Hall athletes Rhiannon Armstrong and Sophie Coulson who cleared 1.35 and 1.30 in the high jump respectively and Will Beasley who won the long jump in 4.16. Georgia Langley made an immediate impact by claiming a top six place with 30cms further than her pre-event target.

Adam Fackey (4.33.2) set a new personal best in the 1500m (4.33.2) in which Jake Healy maintained his current form with 4.42 while Andrew Cowley recorded a personal best 5.03.7. in the Year 7 competition. Jonathan Griffiths threw 3 cms shy of 22m in the javelin. Luke James was seventh in the high jump and sixth in the long jump though still a year young in the age group while Michael Causer started his return to competition with 7.34m in the shot putt.

Thaddeus Anim Somuah was representing a Liverpool school taking second place in the senior boys 100m (11.3) and 200m (22.9). Thaddeus is also contesting this year's Northern Junior Championships at the weekend.

There was fine support from coaches including John Irwin, Andy Drillingcourt, Lyn and Adrian Webb, Carl Bibby and Phil Thomas while Dave Morley was on duty on the judges' stand. Parents and grandparents were present in abundance. including Tracey Le Surf and Julia Hayes who showed exceptional powers of endurance and patience. Results have been circulated to club members.

Bowden 5k: Altrincham: 7 June

Four senior men and six senior ladies turn out at Bowden with Ian Costello leading everyone home in 17th place (16.51). Ian Hayburn (27) beat Tuhin "Chewy" Wahin (31) by three seconds with 17.14 to 17.17. Stan Erlam was round in 121st place (20.24) leaving Julia Eccleston 22 secs adrift (133) 20.46. Louise Hogg (149 : 21.15) and Karen Jarvis (173: 21.56) were pursued by the on fire Eleanor Reynolds (188: 22.24) with Chris Dickinson (198: 22.42) and Chris Dempsey (212: 23.28) in a field of 263 finishers. Karen Jarvis still leads the ladies' Grand Prix but the men's table isn't yet available.  Results

National Young Athletes League - Bury 3 June

Jake Healy encapsulated the spirit of the team when, despite suffering from a pulled hamstring, he volunteered to jog the final 100m of the 4x100m relay to ensure the club finished a team.

His was one of many examples of athletes willing to make sure the club achieved its objective of beating the host club. In fact, we went quite close to finishing in the top two despite an absence of under 17's most of whom are concentrating on their examinations. Hopefully we'll have them out for the next meeting at Warrington on Sunday 24 June.

Records fell. Samantha Fraser long jumped 5.06m to remove Laura Raeburn's 10 year old mark from the record books and Sam joined Sophie Rigby (who set a personal best 4.46m in the long jump), Heather Drillingcourt and Katie Waterworth to beat the previous 4x100m time by 0.2 secs with 53.1.

Natasha Le Surf ran a splendid 200 before assuming the mantle of A string runner in the 100m. Ethan Allen recorded a sprint double and, while Tom Green wasn't quite able to repeat the feat in the under 15's, he had two classic races, winning the 100m and coming second in the 200m.

Andy Harvey had a superb battle to win the short hurdles while Joanna Bebington made her debut in the 75m hurdles event with a solid performance. Ryan and Kieron Fahey both showed rapid improvement in their events, while Adam Fackey set personal bests in the 800 and 1500m.

Tricia Spark and Rose Hindley scored a shot double, Laura Croft doing the same with Sam Fraser.  Steve Clague won the 400m hurdles, Chelsea Jarvis easily won the 80mm and joined with Danni McGifford in making a clean sweep in the long jump, just as Danni and Lucy Renshall scored a double first in the hurdles.

Elizabeth Mousdale completed her three events for the under 17's, including the 300m in which she took second place. The ever willing John Ashcroft set a pb 2.15 in the 800, Jamie White 4.51.2 over 1500m one of three events contested in a fine controlled manner by David Griffiths who is returning to race fitness now the football season is over.

Lewis Jarvis, Jonathan Griffiths and Luke McDonald all completed two additional events beyond their favoured long jump, javelin and 100m respectively, Lewis joining Kieron Fahey in learning the shot putt thanks to Colin Spark's expert tuition.

Luke James finished second in a very confusing high jump, and cleared more than 4.50m in the long jump before volunteering for the final leg of the 4x100m relay which he ran as if he was born to the part. Thrower Kathryn Sumner finished second in her high jump after the organisers had declared the long throws net unsafe.

Lucy Waterworth competed on her birthday to score points for the club finishing second B with 14.57. Rachel Wilcock and Louise Hayes both set pb's in the 1200m.

Amanda Paton was impressive in the sprints and relay, Liane Bibby tackled the 150m in addition her normal 75m, Heather Drillingcourt volunteered to do the 1500m and found intelligent support from Natalie Garrity who was making her debut over the distance. Danny Hughes continued to clear nine metres in the shot and ran two good races in the absence of his preferred long throws.

Dave Morley and Julia Hayes were our track judges, Janet Holmes and Pam Appleton the timekeepers while John Irwin, Colin Sparks, Andy Drillingcourt, Michael Hughes, Carl Bibby and Phil Thomas assisted on the field as required. Phil Thomas was the team manager and thus the first to hear the good news that the club had taken third place.

There was massive parental support on an atrociously warm day, in fact far too many to mention but every one appreciated. The most recent manifestation of the results is that East Cheshire (312.5), TNC(291.5), St Helens-Sutton 262 and Bury 167 was the final finishing order. In addition, Ethan Allen (200m) and Danielle McGifford (hurdles) were both judged to have won Athlete of The Match awards

We've a tough one against Wrexham, Warrington and League leaders Blackpool at the next match which takes place at Victoria Park, Warrington, on Sunday 24 June. With a full turn out we can provide a good boost to our league standing. Results

Hollins Green 5k:2 June

Matt Cullen finished third in this evening road race recording 16.05. Results

Northern Track and Field League - Woodbank Park, Stockport : 2 June 2007.

The absence of several athletes did not prevent the club from finishing third and moving into second place in the table. David Forrester broke three club records and equalled a fourth in a superb run against rival Ross Millington of the host club.

David's 1.52.9 equalled Ian Crompton's 1992 senior record, broke David's own junior best set earlier this season, while his victory in the 1500m in 4.00.00 removed Paul Cliffe's senior record which has stood since 1991 by 0.9 secs and set a new junior best.

Gill Laithwaite and Sarah Charnock pulled off a double in the 3000m as did Holly Keenaghan and Emma McClatchey in the high jump, Holly equalling the club senior record a feat achieved by Emma in the pole vault which she won easily.

The team was held together by multi eventers Phil Robinson, Nicola Quinn and Emma McCaltchey who covered 17 events between them, while Craig Knight and Steve Moran braved injury to compete at all. John Appleton and Greg Williams provided some interesting hurdles tactics, while Andy McDonagh dealt with his return to competition with a fine 400m.

Eleanor "I'm on Fire" Reynolds tackled both short sprints and ran well in the relays, Julia Eccleston set a pb in the 400m, Karen Jarvis performed splendidly in the 200 and 400 in the absence of our regular sprinters while Nicola Quinn came within a metre of setting a new senior hammer record.

Michael Hughes is starting to emerge as a regular thrower while Ian Hayburn contributed in the triple jump, 1500m and 400m hurdles. Ray Vose too played his part, tackling hammer, shot, 200m and 400m on a busy afternoon which included seeing some unwanted spectators off the premises. Phil Robinson inched closer to the club pole vault record with 3.10m

The most remarkable feature of the 4x100m relay teams was not where they finished but how close they were to beating their rivals although both short relay teams were composed mainly of middle distance runners.

The 4x400m quartet of Andy McDonagh, Dave Forrester, Greg Williams and John Appleton did get the better of West Cheshire while the ladies' foursome of Sarah Charnock, Gill Laithwaite, Eleanor Reynolds and Karen Jarvis got the better of a non appearing LPS team and with Holly Keenaghan replacing Gill in the 4x100, came within 0.7.secs of catching Manx.

On a day not suited to distance Peter Johnson recorded 12.mins dead in the steeplechase while Barry Graney and Greg Williams battled manfully against the sun and the wind over 5000m..

John Irwin led the field event team of George Mullineux, Julia Hayes, Steve Moran while Sue Lowrie started to get back to fitness with reps from stand to stand and the Pam Appleton/Janet Holmes partnership continued to impress on the timekeepers' stand itself.

Phil Thomas acted as team manager despite being injured changing into his shorts ( no we really weren't THAT short of numbers it was just a hot day!!). The final result was close but we remained 15 points clear of LPS as West Cheshire unexpectedly finished sixth.

The final scores were: 1) Bolton  412;  2 Stockport  349;  3) St Helens-Sutton  303; 4) LPS  288;  5 Manx    285; 6 West Cheshire   275.   This leaves the table at the half way point of the season as 1) Bolton 12(849); 2) St Helens-Sutton 8 (648); 3) Stockport  7(686);  4) West Cheshire 6 (622); 5 LPS 6 (576); 6 Manx 3 (510)  

That means there's everything to play for and no room for complacency at the third match scheduled for Bolton on Sunday 15 July when we hope to have everyone present. Results