U15 Amber Anning broke Britain’s fastest woman’s junior record as she roared to victory in the England Athletics Championships 300m.
Dina Asher-Smith – who in July became the first British woman to run a sub 11 seconds 100m – saw her 2009 UK best fall to Anning. On day one of the championships at Bedford International Stadium, Amber clocked 39.04 seconds in her heat of the under-17 300m, shaving .12 of a second off the previous record for her age group – under 15. Returning to Bedford on day two to contend the final, Amber who is 14, was competing an age group up at the championships, and in the extremely wet conditions was a contender for the gold.
Going out hard from the gun the English Schools 200m Junior Girls champion quickly went into the lead – passing most of the field and finding herself clear into the home straight. Welsh U17 Champion Amelia Reynolds pulled back some of her younger competitor’s lead, resulting in a late push for the line.
Amber held on to claim the under-17 title and lower the under-15 British record for the second time in the same weekend with a time of 38.73 seconds. It is also a European Age 14 record and is presently the World Youth lead.
Always proudly wearing the red and black hooped B&H vest Amber thanked her parents, her coach – Steve King – and her club for all their support.