England Age Group Champs, 11 and 12/02/23 @ Sheffield
Although a number of the eligible athletes from the club chose to give these champs a miss, I’m pleased to say that one M&M athlete did compete and with great effect!
Cheyne West had already had a good indoor season with pbs over 60m, 60m hurdles and 400m, as well as a couple of medals from the SEAA Champs in early January. He clearly saved his best for these champs. Racing over 60m hurdles, Cheyne set a new pb of 8.31 to qualify for the final. In the final he went even faster, finishing in 8.23 to take the England U17 title. All in all a fantastic indoor season. Well done Cheyne!
11/02/23 @ Huntingdon, West Virginia
Now back from his hamstring niggle, Conor Murphy raced over 200m and 400m for the first time this winter, recording 23.09 and 50.08, showing that he is well on this way back to full fitness. Well done Conor!
Sutcliffe 60’s 12/02/23 @ Sutcliffe Park
Another installment of this popular series of 60m races, with a number of M&M athletes competing.
On the ladies side Lucy Hope stepped down in distance looking to try to run sub 8 seconds. It didn’t quite happen on the day, but runs of 8.06/8.11 were a good return and stand her in good stead for a 200m at the Kent Indoors.
On the men’s side, Josh Aboagye recorded times of 7.71/7.70 over the 2 races, while Alex Anagnostou was just a fraction slower with a brace of 7.73 clockings. In the U17 races, Daniel Culver recorded a new pb of 7.77 and was slightly slower on his second run, clocking 7.86, while Jake Foster, also recorded a pb, this time at 7.83, after first running 7.90. John Foster completed the M&M contingent on the day, running times of 8.80 and 8.77.
Well done to all!
Newham 60’s 15/02/23
Making his 60m debut for this winter season was Andre Wright, opening with a 7.11 clocking, only to go faster again in his second race, recording a time of 7.03, making him the fastest M&M athlete this winter to date over the distance. Well done Andre!
Middle Distance Open 15/02/23 @ Lee Valley
A small band of M&M athletes had the good sense to step on to the newly re-laid indoor track at Lee Valley to race over 800m. Star of the show on the night was Theo Ronchetti, racing to a big new pb and under 17 club record of 1:57.42, showing the benefits from a good winter and promising much for the summer. Well done Theo!
Also at under 17, Franklin Shepherd also broke the 2 minute barrier with his best time indoors this winter of 1:59.39. Looks like a strong summer for the 800m at under 17 level. Well done Franklin!
Not to be outdone by the 800m boys, Henry Gibson had a super run over 1,500m, recording a new pb and club record of 4:32.28. Well done Henry!
Well done also to Abigail Hawkes, our sole female representative on the night, with a 2:30.73 clocking.
British Championships 18 and 19/02/23 @ Birmingham
M&M’s one of two representatives this year was Ellie Turner with invites for the 60m and the 200m. She elected to only race the 60m to protect her foot from the tight indoor bends and found herself drawn alongside Alisha Rees, at the time of the race, ranked 3rd in the UK, in her heat. Ellie ran a strong race, finishing second and equaling her pb from last season, 7.55.
Ellie backed that up by finishing 3rd in her semi-final, running a fraction faster at 7.54. Although she did not qualify for the final, she was pleased to note that she was 11th fastest on the day and that her heat winner, Alisha Rees went on to win the bronze medal. A fitting end to a super indoor season, well done Ellie!
Charlotte Young was our second representative. Competing over 800m in a very strong field. She finished 7th in a strong heat with a time of 2:13.35 and very close to her season’s best.
British Masters Championships 18 and 19/02/23 @ Sheffield
Again, M&M’s sole representative this year was Rachel Hicks. A new name to most at the club, Rachel has joined as a second claim member this winter, so I think that the club can make a “claim” on her performance, even though the results will show “Belgrave”!
Racing her first 400m indoors for a number of years and now a V35 and a mum, Rachel was understandably a little nervous, but I’m very pleased to report that she ran a very controlled race, finishing 4th in the time of 67.35. Rachel is keen to race over 4H this summer for M&M in the SAL and this performance augers well. Well done Rachel!
Well done to all those who competed with such distinction!
With thanks to Steve Munday for the report.
