England athletes take wins and PBs at Reykjavik International Games
A team of eleven athletes travelled to Iceland to represent England at the Reykjavik International Games last weekend.
Molly Hudson (coach: Helen Clitheroe; club: Derby) won the women’s 800m with a personal best of 2:07:10.
Speaking after the race, Molly said:
“It was a great experience running in my first England vest. This is my second race of the season so to run a personal best puts me in a good position for BUCs and British Champs.”
Archie Parkinson (Bill Boyd, Corby) also took almost a second off his previous personal best of 1:51:32, to finish 2nd in the men’s 800m with 1:50:91.
There were also many great performances for the sprinters, with Jess Tappin (Dan Putnam, Thames Valley) and Dan Putnam (Dan Putnam, Blackheath & Bromley) winning the women’s and men’s 400m races in 55:78 and 47:46.
Leonie Ashmeade (Lewis Samuel, Wakefield) and Richard Akinyebo (Tamunonengiye-Ofori Ossai, BFT Track Academy) also achieved podium status, finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively in the women’s and men’s 60m, with 7:51 and 6:77.
Training partners Lee Thompson (John Henson, Sheffield & Dearne) and Ella Blakey (John Henson, Derby) also finished 2nd and 3rd in the men’s and women’s 200m, clocking times of 21:17 and 24:91.
The mixed 4x200m team relay, saw Lee Thompson, Jess Tappin, Richard Akinyebo and Ella Blakey storm to victory in a time of 1:30:18.
The men’s long jump saw Alex Farquharson (Aston Moore, Coventry) finish 2nd with 7.38m.
Lewis Byng (Mark Edwards, Stratford-upon-Avon), who is currently ranked number two in the UK, threw 18.09m to win the men’s shot put.
Serena Vincent (Andrew Vincent, City of Portsmouth) also finished 2nd with a season’s best of 16.15m in the women’s shot put, just behind world champion Chase Ealey.
England team manager Sarah Benson said:
“It was a wonderful experience for the team, and lots of learning occurred. Spirits were high and the competition was a good opportunity to prepare for the British champs and any other upcoming internationals they may be aiming for.”
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- Image: Alexander Farquarson of England competing in the Senior Men's Long Jump during the Manchester International athletics meet at the Manchester Regional Arena, Manchester on Wednesday 18th August 2021. (Credit: Pat Scaasi)