With age-group changes due to take effect in 2026, several Brighton & Hove AC athletes will hold their county records permanently. These performances will stand forever under the outgoing age-group structure.
A number of athletes feature more than once on this list. The surprise for many may be that our 2024 Olympian Amber Anning has not always been a sprinter. She was and remains a multi-talented athlete, holding seven records. Claire Smithson, a huge talent from the near past, holds six, followed by Dulcie Yelling with three.
Steve Ovett
Sussex legend, Olympic Gold medallist Steve Ovett, is not listed for 800m or 1500m. Ovett started his career as a sprinter and long jumper and once held a county Standing Long Jump record.
There are two UK age records in this list – one held by Dulcie and the other by Ava James, and they will also stand in perpetuity.
Congratulations to all the athletes listed below on an outstanding and lasting achievement.
Women
Track
- 100m U17 – Amber Anning: 11.79s
- 300m U15 – Amber Anning: 38.73s
- 300m U17 – Amber Anning: 37.79s
- 400m U17 – Amber Anning: 53.68s
- 1500m Steeplechase U17 – Ava James: 4:49.48 (UK age record)
Jumps
- High Jump U17 – Kerry Roberts: 1.82m
- Triple Jump
- U17 – Jaiten Best: 12.17m
- U15 – Amber Anning: 11.65m
Throws
- Shot
- U17 – Claire Smithson: 13.35m
- U15 – Claire Smithson: 12.73m
- U13 – Claire Smithson: 11.50m
- Discus
- U17 – Claire Smithson: 49.36m
- U15 – Claire Smithson: 40.54m
- U13 – Claire Smithson: 32.70m
- Javelin
- U17 – Dulcie Yelling: 48.56m
- U15 – Dulcie Yelling: 45.36m
- U13 – Dulcie Yelling: 44.02m (UK age record)
Combined Events
- Pentathlon
- U15 – Amber Anning: 3252 points
- U13 – Amber Anning: 2496 points
Men
Track
- 400m
- U17 – Steve Ovett: 48.4s
- U15 – Steve Ovett: 51.6s
- 800m
- U15 – George Gilbert: 1:57.96
- U13 – George Gilbert: 2:12.51
- 1500m Steeplechase U17 – Thomas Matthews: 4:30.50
- 100m Hurdles U17 – Jordan Auburn: 12.76s
Throws
- Shot U13 – Theo Hines: 12.37m
- Javelin
- U17 – Edan Cole: 65.34m
- U15 – Arthur Rogers: 56.21m
- U13 – Monty Rowland: 44.39m
Bob Willows
Club Secretary
Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Theo Hines or of Monty Rowland’s face.
Photo credits: the late Reg Hook and @ac_phots