Young multi-event talent to be on show in Manchester

The multi-eventers take centre stage again this weekend in Manchester at the England Athletics U17 and U15 Combined Events Championships, incorporating European Athletics Combined Events Challenge. The Manchester Regional Arena will play host to the country’s finest young combined-eventers, as well as some top seniors looking for a rare competitive opportunity.

The programme begins at 10am on Saturday and 9.30am on Sunday. Spectators must purchase a ticket online before arrival. Licensed coaches will need to arrange accreditation beforehand. Click for further information, including important parking restrictions.

U17 and U15 Combined Events Championships

U17 women’s heptathlon

Leading the entries on this year’s performances is Eloise Hind (Oxford City, Marcia Marriott) with her tally of 5069, which would have been good enough for silver two years ago. She ranks second in the UK in the high jump this year and will also be after big points in the high jump. Francis Hogg (City of York, Craig Pounder) and Lucy Fellows (St Mary’s Richmond, Alan Richardson) will be looking to push her, having both scored over 4600 points this year. Patricia Nemanyte (Derbyshire, Lee Walker), who took bronze at under-15 level in 2019, will be seeking to improve on that.

U17 men’s decathlon

Sammy Ball (Reading AC, Michael Dyer) won under-15 octathlon gold two years ago and is favourite to step up successfully. He has this year gone top of the UK all-time under-17 octathlon rankings and now looks forward to making similar waves in his first decathlon. Expect him to score particularly well in the long jump, in which he leads the 2021 age-group list, as well as the shot, high jump and 100m hurdles. Kreston Calvert (Wirral, Pamela Green), who won under-15 bronze in 2019, will be hoping to get onto the podium again. Jay Cook (Bury, Matt Cullen) and Lexx McConville (Brendan McConville) could challenge too.

U15 girls’ hexathlon

For many in this age group, this will be their first experience of a championships, so this will be a case of in at the deep end for some, particularly given last summer’s scant calendar. Some will have competed already in a pentathlon, which comprises the 75m hurdles, long jump, shot, high jump and 800m. The hexathlon adds the javelin. Arabella Wilson (Winchester & District, Andrew Fisher) tops the entries on this year’s performances with her 3383, which leaves her 12th on the UK age-group all-time list. Abigail Belward (Winchester & District, Andrew Fisher), who was fourth in that same event at Lee Valley, is another of the leading contenders.

U15 boys’ octathlon

Joe Stone (Tonbridge, Leslie Stone) leads the under-15 pentathlon rankings with 2995 and here will be taking part in his first octathlon, which adds the discus, javelin and pole vault.
According to Power of 10, he hasn’t competed in the pole vault for two years, so this most daunting of disciplines for multi-eventers will be an interesting addition.
Stefan Chirita (Exeter), with 2551, also figures highly on the UK rankings for his age group this year and will be hoping for a medal in his first England championships.

European Athletics Combined Events Challenge

Senior women’s heptathlon

England Commonwealth representative Katie Stainton will start favourite in this senior development opportunity, which comes with a first prize of Є500 in common with the men’s decathlon.
The Birchfield Harrier, coached by David Feeney, represented England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and already has the selection standard for Birmingham 2022. Ireland’s Sarah Connolly, who has scored a PB of 5208 this year, is another strong contender. Also set to figure highly will be Ashleigh Spiliopoulou (Enfield & Haringey, David Feeney) and Lauren Evans (Cardiff, Matthew Wood), who were fourth and fifth respectively at the England Athletics Senior Championships in May, and Anna McCauley (City of Lisburn, Toni Minichiello).

Senior men’s decathlon

Andrew Murphy (Kilbarchan), who has competed for Britain at the European Cup of Combined Events, is set to contest his first decathlon since 2019. The Colin Sinclair-coached athlete is No.1 of PBs with his 7594 from two years ago. Troy McConville (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow) will be seeking to make amends for his last appearance at an England Championships as he no-heighted in the pole vault back at the seniors in May. However, he has since improved his PB to 7066 in a busy season. Another 7000-pointer on the start list is Elliot Thompson (Enfield & Haringey, Greg Richards), the winner at this event two years ago. Sam Talbot (Sheffield & Dearne, Toni Minichiello), a multiple GB international at junior level, and Howard Bell (Woodford Green with Essex Ladies, Colin Sinclair) are among others who will hope to be in the mix.

Further information

• General information, including parking
• Event programme booklet (PDF 2MB)
• View entries
• View timetable (at 240821)
• Live results link (will populate during the event)
• Buy tickets Spectators will need to purchase a ticket online prior to arrival.
• Get accredited coach ticket Licensed coaches can get free tickets, but online accreditation is required prior to arrival. If a coach does not register for accreditation, they will need to purchase a ticket to enter on the day, as coaches will not be able to apply for coach accreditation on the day.
• Parking: Due to the MCFC home game with Arsenal this weekend we are advising everyone arrive prior to 10am, as the roads will be grid locked after this time. Parking will also be a problem. We have been informed by MCFC  that you will not have to pre-register your car for parking on Saturday 28 August. Please go to the Green Car Park, Hillkirk Street, M11 3EZ and parking will be payable on entry. £10 if there is one person in the car and £8 if there is more than one person in the car. Sunday parking will be in the Blue Car Parks, through Gate 2, M11 3DU. This will be free of charge.