Photo – Asha Root in the 400 metres at the Loughborough International Meeting
James West, from Tonbridge Athletic Club, travelled to Belgium for a 5000 metres race on Saturday evening, competing in the International Flanders event, in Brussels. The aim of the race was to try and improve his chances of being considered for the Great Britain team for the European Championships, being held in Italy in June. He had already run just inside the qualifying standard, with 13.19.98. Beyond that, the ultimate dream of an Olympic Games place would mean running inside 13.05.
West finished very strongly to finish 4th in 13.09.07, taking ten seconds from his own Tonbridge club record and well inside the European Championships qualifying standard. He now has a wait to find out the decision of the selectors, as his time only ranks him 5th in the UK this year, with a maximum of three for the team.
Also performing well on the European circuit was Jack Higgins, who travelled to Gorzow in Poland and raced over 800 metres on Friday evening. In only his second outdoor track race of the season, Higgins finished 3rd at this World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting, with a personal best of 1.47.45, to move to 20th on the current UK rankings.
Amongst some other notable performances, Lucy Tallon ran under twelve seconds for 100 metres for the first time, when she recorded 11.99 at Canterbury, on Monday. Then Kirsty-Anne Ebbage threw the Discus 48.09 metres to win at the Bedford International Games and add over a metre to her personal best and the Tonbridge AC club record.
Tonbridge had three teams at the British Masters Road Relay Championships, on Saturday, held on the motor racing circuit at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. Two of the teams came away with silver medals and on both occasions, Bristol were the team ahead. The over 35 men’s team consisted of Craig Halsey, Dan Bradley, Jay Smith, Nathan Chapman, Ben Cole and Neil McClements with six legs, each of 5 km. Ben Cole ran the fastest leg of the day with 14.25. Similarly, Maria Heslop was the fastest runner in the over 55 women’s event with 18.04 and was supported by Theresa White and Tracey Horne as the team also finished second in their championship.
On Wednesday evening, a Tonbridge AC men’s team finished second at the Beckenham Road Relays, with Cameron Chambers running the fastest lap of the day, on the 4.2km long course, in 12.41. He was joined by Dan Bradley and Steve Strange, as they finished 13 seconds behind Dulwich Runners, from 162 teams finishing.
Amongst other notable performances across the week, Alasdair Kinloch ran 13.56.18 over 5000 metres, when finishing 5th at the British Milers Club Grand Prix meeting, on Saturday. This was a personal best for Kinloch and his first time under 14 minutes. At the same event, Simon Coppard showed improved form with his 3.46.95 for 1500 metres.
Julian Rendall represented the England over 45 men’s team at the Manchester Half Marathon, on Sunday, where he ran 75.58 and finished 5th in his age category and 46th overall.
At Brighton, the TAC u17/20 squad finished 5th of 8 teams in the UK Youth Development League match. Amongst the performances was a new under 20 women’s 4x100m relay record from Amelie Rabbidge, Araba Taylor, Matilda Secker and Lucy Tallon.