Photo – Ben Murphy at presentation
Ben Murphy, from Tonbridge Athletic Club, won his first national 800 metres title on Sunday, at the England Athletics Championships, held at Bedford. He safely qualified for the final from his heat on Saturday in 1.53.17, alongside his training partner Jordan Chambers (1.54.06), although the windy conditions made races generally tight and tactical across the whole weekend. Then in the eight-man final Murphy was always in contention and finished strongly, recording 1.51.25, after a 57.2 first lap. Chambers finished 7th in 1.54.43. Tonbridge athletes also won two bronze medals at the championships, with Kieran Reilly finishing 3rd in the men’s 5000 metres, on Saturday in 14.58.31 and Grazia Manzotti doing likewise in the women’s 5000 metres walk, on Sunday, in 28.03.78.
The weekend action commenced on Friday evening, where the Tonbridge AC women’s squad captured the Southern Counties Veterans League Kent Division title in fine style, with victory in the final match at Dartford. The men’s team missed winning the league by the narrowest of margins, losing to Blackheath by just a single point on this occasion, 53 to 54, which meant their league standing was tied with Dartford, at 21 points each, before going to total match scores, where Dartford won with 229 to 215.5.
Nina Ridge won the Discus (23.46m) and Triple Jump (8.37m), whilst also helping the 4x100m team to victory. In the over 50s age group, Maria Heslop won the 3000m in 11.26.5 and Sally Vine the Discus with 18.20m. There was also a club over 35 women’s 3000m record from Elle Baker with 10.24.3. On the men’s side, Mark McAllister won the over 50 age group 100m in 12.4 and the Shot Put with 11.05m, which was a club age group record, plus helped the 4x100m team to a win and over 35 men’s club record of 47.5. Graeme Saker set a club over 60 men’s 3000m record of 10.54.3.
At the other end of the age groups scale, Tonbridge AC hosted the UK Youth Development League match for under 13s and 15s, at Tonbridge School, on Saturday, finishing 4th of the six clubs in the Premier Division and securing their status in the top flight. Under 15 A-string wins came from Elicia Lacey (75m hurdles 11.8), Elsa Pawson (Pole Vault 2.50m pb) and Emily Willcox (Hammer 20.28m), whilst in the under 13 age group they came from Harry Wrigley (75m hurdles 12.2 pb) and Louis Ib (High Jump 1.48m).
On the roads, George Marshall, had a breakthrough performance, when winning the Run Through Hyde Park 10km road race, on Saturday, in 33.27. On Sunday, the East Peckham 10km road race was held, with plenty of Tonbridge AC runners taking part, with the top three women being from the club. Imogen Amos set a new personal best when winning in 35.56, with Helen Gaunt (37.18) and Lucy Thompson (37.49) following her home. There was a close finish in the men’s race with Harry Paton finishing 2nd, just two seconds behind the winner in 33.48, with Cameron Chambers 3rd in 33.50 and Nathan Chapman 4th in 33.52.