Photo – James West
Tonbridge Athletic Club had fifteen athletes qualify and compete at the UK Championships over the weekend, with one of the highlights being James West getting back to near his very best form. He went into the championships, with just one race under his belt since ankle surgery in the Autumn.
West raced in the 5000 metres final on Sunday afternoon amongst a very strong field and despite the very warm temperatures, the race went off at a fast pace. Four of the twenty-two starters were in contention on the last lap, with West finishing a close-up 3rd in 13.27.75, less than a second behind the winner. James Kingston finished 14th in 13.48.01.
Guy Thomas won a silver medal in the 5000 metres walk, with Emily Ghose and Grazia Manzotti placing 5th and 6th in the women’s race.
Jack and Ted Higgins qualified through their respective heats on Saturday in the 800 metres and 1500 metres, with both having good performances in Sunday’s finals. Jack Higgins finished 5th in the nine-man final over the shorter distance in 1.46.26, less than a second away from the winner Jake Wightman, who won the silver medal at last year’s World Championships.
Ted Higgins also had an excellent race in the 1500 metres final, remaining close to the front of the twelve-man field, as the first half went by at a very steady pace. With 600 metres to go Arlo Ludewick, of Herne Hill, hit the front and despite challenges from others held on for a surprise win, leaving several established internationals in his wake. Higgins held on for 4th in 3.40.49.
Tonbridge had two steeplechasers both making their debuts at the championships, having achieved the qualifying standard. On Saturday, Rae Le Fay finished 8th in the women’s 3000 metres steeplechase in 10.37.07, whilst in the men’s final on Sunday Lewis Mills also placed 8th in 8.54.20.
Four members of the club’s 400 metres squad were at the championships, with all having strong performances in their heats. Asha Root was outstanding, finishing 3rd in her heat in 53.13, improving her own club record by 0.59 seconds, which is a significant amount over that distance. However, this was not enough to qualify for the final.
In the men’s 400 metres heats, Henry Marshall equalled his personal best of 46.97, just 0.02 seconds away from the club record, held by Dylan Purton. Purton ran 47.30 in his heat, whilst Kieran Eland set a new personal best of 47.26.
Lucy Tallon ran well to qualify through to the semi-final stage of the women’s 100 metres, recording 11.55 when winning her heat, before placing 5th in her semi-final in 11.69.
The only field event competitor was Lewis Church, who recorded 14.19 metres to place 9th in the men’s Shot Put. Church was competing, although a Decathlete, since it was one of the criteria stipulated in the selection policy for the European Championships. Church still has a chance of GB selection, based on his current European ranking.
Away from the championships, Jordan Chambers finished 2nd in an 800 metres in Vienna, Austria, recording a personal best of 1.49.60. Holly Hayward won the Hawkurst 10k women’s race, on Sunday.