Athletics recap: videos, interviews and results
IT was a late addition to the bill, but an unusual 1500m wrapped up the latest track meeting in fine style.
Alex Rowe and Will Bodkin asked for the race be put on as they both looked to duck under the 4min barrier over the distance.
Bodkin, in a scene repeated every time he has raced on the track this year, took the wind and led from the gun, but it was Rowe who finished stronger, overhauling his competitor on the finishing straight to clock a new PB of 3:58.29.
Rowe, who was out injured between February and May, was keen to get everything out of the race: ‘it’s all worked out pretty well,’ he said (see the full interview below).
Josh Duke and Ben Stevens were the first two across the line in both the 100m and 200m.
Duke posed a new best in the shorter race of 11.21, with Stevens following him home, also with a PB of 11.65.
In the other 100m heat, U20 Amelia Hart won with a PB of 12.91, followed home by two U15s who have been fighting it out all season, Edie Dorrian (2nd) and Isabelle Lowe. Lowe recorded a new best of 13.17.
The 200m took place earlier in the meeting.
Duke won his favoured event this season, the 200m, but Stevens’ run for second in 23.48 bagged him another PB. Hear Duke’s thoughts on his races below.
Hart was another athlete celebrating a double PB, as she recorded 26.34 to win the opening heat.
Two u13 sprinters were also in action, both coming away with their best ever times.
Brad Reynolds (28.56) led home Wilf Dorrian (28.88).
Proceedings had opened up with the hurdles.
Over 80m, two u17s were on the start line, with Vicky Hancock leading home Megan Lilley, who clocked a 13.13 PB.
For the U13 girls, the sprint hurdles took place over 70m. Nikola Vagule won a tight race in 13.21 ahead of Olivia Whitmore (13.25PB).
Darcey Hodgson went head to head with Aimee Lilley in the 75m hurdles for U15s.
She took first spot with 12.39.
The U13s were in action again over 600m.
Oria Montgomery was the quickest girl, with a new PB of 1:51.47 for second, while Tom Holt won in 1:48.70.
In the two rounds of 800m, it was the performances from the younger athletes that stood out.
The battle of the U15s was led home by the versatile girl Hodgson, with Thomas Merrien posting a new best of 2:21.53 and Rupert Wilson a new PB of 2:24.01.
M45 Paul Hewitt proved that some people only get faster with age, as he dropped his best to 2:26.47.
Rhiannon Dowinton, who ran the 100m hurdles solo last time out, had Vicky Hancock with her on the start line.
She was quickest to the opening hurdle and led home in 15.23.
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