Season ends at Footes Lane with javelin centre stage
You just had to look at the in-field to know that something different was on the cards.
The tapes marking the safety area for the javelin stretched further than usual, the distance markers went out to 70 metres.
Then shortly after the clock struck 12, there was a gasp in the crowd as Greg Millar launched his first throw out to 62.84m.
The visiting athlete from Birchfield Harriers upped the volume of his yell in each round and with it, eventually, the distance, finishing the Guernsey Athletics’ ActiveGsy Track & Field meeting with a best of 66.01m thanks to his closing throw.
James Bougourd led the home contenders with 52.58m, a little short of his season best from July, while there was also an appearance from Guernsey Raider’s Hugo Culverhouse who recorded 32.44m.
Rebecca Le Tissier continued her return to the field with a season’s best 31.54m, just shy of the Island Games A-standard of 32m.
The competition was part of the last session of the ActiveGsy series, which has spanned 11 meetings since April and seen athletes of all ages taking part. For the U13s and U15s there has been the added incentive of the Compete Against Yourself competition, where they were awarded points for bettering previous performances.
It encouraged them to try out all the disciplines on offer.
For senior athletes, it was the last chance to put down a marker at Footes Lane in 2022.
In the high jump, Alice Hunt was another athlete who has returned to competition this year after a break. She equalled her season’s best of 1.50m, just 2cm short of the Island Games B-standard, but a steady improvement through the meetings since April.
U17 Arthur Aylmer led the field with 1.55m.
There were some quick times in the 100m, but a strong following wind meant they did not count for record purposes.
Lucas Rive made the most of the 3.5m tailwind to run under 11 seconds for the first time, winning in 10.95s from middle distance runner Chris Bain, who went as fast as he ever has before with 11.20s. Alex Falla was third in 12.00s.
The women’s race benefited from an even more helpful 4.1m/s wind, more than double the legal limit.
Rhiannon Dowinton led home in 12.59s, from Isabelle Lowe (12.60s); with fractions separating Emily Pike (12.84) and Amelia Hart (12.86s) in a hard fought battle for third.
A 1500m steeplechase gave three U15 athletes the chance to test themselves.
Thomas Merrien confidentially attacked the barriers to clock 5:05.85, just shy of the age group island best, with Eleanor Jamieson (6:11.97) and Lara Veillard (6:30.80) second and third.
Culverhouse was in action again in the shot putt, recording 10.51m in the third round.
He was beaten to the top spot by Steven Marley who threw 11.09m with his opening effort.
Rive and Bain reprised their earlier sprint battle over 400m.
This time it was Bain who triumphed, in a season’s best 50.36s.
Rive’s 51.16s was a PB in a distance he runs rarely, dipping under the Island Games B-standard.
The conditions made for a tough time for the 1500m runners.
Jack Le Tissier front ran to win in 4:10.54, while the only woman in the race, visiting runner Constance Nankivell, clocked 4:43.25.
For full results, visit here.
