In the graded meeting at Withdean, there were nine personal bests (PBs) in the 800m, with three athletes missing their best times by less than a second, despite the continuous rain throughout the evening.
The highlight of the meeting was Seren Rowe’s outstanding performance, where she broke the under 13 girls 800m club record of 2 minutes 24.1 seconds, set in 1998 but Jenny Bliss, by clocking a time of 2 minutes 22.35 seconds.
Among the other PBs, Louis took four seconds off his best time, winning his heat in 2:17.28 seconds. Lara, who also won her heat, finished in 2:21.5 seconds, and it is believed that if she had been in a different race, she could have achieved a time of under 2:20 seconds. Sophia recorded a time of 2:30.75 Kira ran 2:31.01; Joaquin finished in 2:34.12; Gracie in 2:35.47, Florence, participating in her first race for the club, recorded a time of 2:44.98 and Mia D finished in 2 minutes 48.62 seconds.
Just outside their best times were Angelina with a time of 2:21.04 seconds, Merle in 2:30.28 and Flo M with 2:37.27 seconds.
Congratulations again to Seren for her fantastic achievement.
The next fixture will be the open meeting at Crawley on the 28th of August, unless you are participating in the Southern Champs on the 12th and 13th of August – entries close on 1st August.
It’s been a very busy last two weeks, with four meetings, and here’s a summary of the first three:
YDL at Crawley: Wet and humid conditions.
U/13 150m: Francesca ran 23.6, James 22.1, both PBs. James also achieved his best 800m time, 2mins 40secs. Flo got 3rd in 2mins 38secs.
U/13 1200m: Seren won easily in 3mins 57secs. Louis got 3rd in 3mins 47secs, Joaquin 2nd in the B race with 4mins 2secs, all PBs.
U/15 800m: Ben ran his best time, 2mins 38secs. Lara got 3rd in 2mins 26secs, Mia P 3rd in the B race in 2mins 37secs. Julieana W 3rd in the 1500m, 5mins 10secs, Juliana C 1st in the B string, 5mins 13secs. Team came 3rd.
YDL at Tooting: More PBs despite the rain.
U/13: Seren ran 20.6 in 150m (PB) and won the long jump. Louis got 2nd in 75m B string, 2nd in 800m, and won the long jump.
Girls 800m: Mia D came 4th in 2mins 50secs, Francesca 3rd in the B race, PB 2mins 52secs. Boys 800m: James ran his best time, 2mins 39secs, 2nd in the B race.
1200m: Flo 3rd, PB 4mins 18secs, Joaquin 3mins 58secs, PB.
Girls 800m: Angelina 2mins 20.9secs (PB), Lara won B race, just outside her best, 2mins 23.9secs. Girls 1500m: Merle 2nd, Naomi 2nd in the B string. The team came 2nd overall.
U/15 Sussex League: Held in torrential rain.
Angelina close 2nd in 800m, 2mins 24secs. Lara with an easy win, 2mins 25secs.
Elodie 7th in 1500m, 5mins 26secs. Naomi 3rd in the B race, 5mins 32secs.
Kira and Lola scored maximum points in the Hammer throw.
The team was 2nd, still top of the league by 2 points.
Keep an eye on the full results from the open meeting, and congratulations to everyone!
Date for your diary: 23rd September, the Southern Road Relay at Rushmoor Arena Aldershot.
by Pete Witcomb