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England Athletics Senior and Combined Events, inc. Indoor Walk: your questions answered

Day two of any combined events championships is always a fascinating affair. Who’s recovered best? Who feels sharpest for the early morning start? Can the overnight leader maintain their form, or will the chasing pack close them down? Then, of course, there’s the drama of the one-day event – in this instance, the women’s pentathlon. Who’s ready; who’s winter’s training is going well? Here’s how the day unfolded:

Senior women's pentathlon

Despite last year’s winner getting the competition under way with a swift clocking in the first event, the 60H, the title was always going to go to a new name. That’s because reigning champion, Abigail Pawlett (Ashley Bryant, Trafford) planned to do just two events to test her early season form. To kick things off, she ran a controlled looking 8.31 in the 60H meaning it was Emily Tyrrell (Francis Baker, Exeter) who took the early lead thanks to her 8.48. She was fifth a couple of seasons ago, but with Wales’ Lauren Evans (Mike Guest, Cardiff), always a strong contender in this competition, close behind in 8.71 she couldn’t take anything from granted at this stage.

Tyrrell equalled her PB in the high jump with a third time clearance at 1.69, which opened the door for Ireland’s Anna McCauley (John Lane, City of Sheffield and Dearne) who cleared 1.75 to take the lead overall. Tyrrell did throw a PB of 10.92 with her first attempt, which she then improved to 10.97 with her final effort but McCauley too opened with a big throw of her own of 11.58. Scotland’s Amy Kennedy (Ryan McAllister, Glasgow) moved into second thanks to her huge opening effort of 14.86. Event favourite, Pawlett, who had deliberately fouled in the high jump earlier, started with another foul before she recorded a solid 13.64 and then ended with a very impressive 14.01 to continue with her weekend training plan.

Next up was the long jump which really made things interesting and saw the lead change hands again. Tyrrell opened her account with 5.88 and followed that with 5.98 and finally a massive 6.02 which gave her a 33-point advantage on McCauley who jumped 5.72 in the first round. Could Tyrrell keep out in front or would the ­– on paper – faster McCauley haul her back in? Four laps and 800 metres would provide all the answers.

Tyrrell did give it her best early on, but McCauley has a far faster PB and it didn’t take her long to stamp her authority on the race. She took gold with 4133 thanks to her 2:17.76 while Tyrrell had to settle for bronze and 2:29.33. Incredibly, New Zealander Christina Ryan, always close but never really in the reckoning until she jumped 5.78 in the long jump, hauled herself up to silver thanks to a 2:20.02.

Senior men's heptathlon

The overnight one, two, three read: 1, Lewis Church (Tonbridge, David Hull) 3225, 2, Sammy Ball (Rafer Joseph, Reading) 3207 and 3, Adam Hoole (Team East Lothian) 3198 which confirmed one thing – Sunday would be a day of high drama where small margins made all the difference. The 60H perfectly demonstrated that with Hoole clocking 8.00. Behind him Church chased hard to the line and was rewarded with a PB of 8.21 while Ball too recorded a lifetime best of 8.34. That shuffled the pack once again as Hoole returned to pole position, Church slipped back to second and Ball to third. However, still there was nothing in it and with the pole vault next on the agenda, nothing was certain.

Lewis Church

Church chose to enter the competition at 4.40 and he promptly cleared that height at the first time of asking. Ball started his at 4.30 and took two attempts at 4.40 (an indoor PB) to go clear, while Hoole gambled by opening at that height. Fine margins did come into play as he failed three times and he was out. Meanwhile, Ball could go no higher, but Church did, ending with 4.60. Would it be enough to take the gold, or did Ball have something special in the locker over five laps of the 200m track for the final event, the 1km?

It would take something superhuman to overturn Church’s lead and, although Ball gave it his all, it was just too much to overhaul. Church did allow Ball to get about three seconds ahead by halfway, but a powerful final lap ensured the gold medal was his. Ball ran 2:40.20 while the champion, Ball ran 2:43.63 which translated into 5778pts for Church and 5707pts for Ball, both PBs and 12th all-time for the winner.

“A far as the perfect weekend goes, that’s about as close as it comes,” said a more than happy Church. He couldn’t ask for any more than a PB and the gold medal, he continued.

A great winter has started well, with perhaps more to come.

Under 20 men's heptathlon

Luke Pichler (Daniel Njai-Rowney, Blyth) found himself 133 points behind overnight leader Sam Wright (Simon Hemmings, Chelmsford) so he needed a swift 60H Sunday morning. He duly obliged, powering off the final hurdle to take the race in 8.29. Behind him Wright clocked 8.39 and that 0.1 equalled 14 points chipped from his lead.

As with the men’s competition, this event was far from finished with the ever-present risks associated with the high jump next on the timetable. Wright needed to be calm and in control. Early clearances at 1.69 and 1.75 suggested he was just that, although as any coach will confirm, you can only ever take care of your own business. He did precisely that and he finished with a solid enough 1.84, but Pichler clearly wasn’t ready to hand him the title. He too got about controlling the controllable and edged over an equal PB of 1.87 at the third time of asking before then clearing 1.90 first time. The lead he had chased all day was now just 35 points.

Luke Pichler

Wright, of course, realised Pichler would need something really special in the 1000m to claw that back so it was no surprise to see him track his rival closely through the opening couple of laps. Pichler, however, was not about to let this go easily and was more than ready to do something special. After a swift first 400 metres, he began to open up a lead with each stride. Wright realised this and dug deep. The last lap was tremendous and despite Pichler trying everything he could to shed his rival as the pair flew down the back straight. Pichler kicked hard into the bend, but he couldn’t quite get far enough ahead. He stopped the clock at 2:49.35 with Wright a stride or two behind in 2:50.45. Close, but the gold was Wright’s with 5129pts to Pichler’s 5105. Just 24 points separated the pair.

“That was a great competition,” said Wright afterwards. “It’s great to be back in something like that. It all went really well, but I was really pleased with the 60. To be honest though I couldn’t ask for anything more.” And as for the result being in doubt all the way to the line, Pichler said: “I don’t normally lead the 1000, but I knew I had nothing to lose so I just went for it.”

I went as hard as I could, crossed the line, then saw him right behind me,” he added.

Walks

It was great to see big fields compete in a set of tightly fought walking races. In the very first event, 12 athletes took part in the mixed 1000m development race for U13s. In what proved to be a really exciting race it set the tone for a great morning, Spencer Jones (Ian Robinson, Wrexham) won the boys’ in 5:27.01 while Ireland’s Ava Dinkin powered across the line in 5:30.54.

In fact, Ireland had a large contingent in Sheffield and Leah O’Gara (Finn Valley) took the U15 girls’ 3km race in 16:10.46. England’s Florence Watson (Blackheath and Bromley) picked up third with 17:40.49. Cameron Corbishley (Andi Drake, Medway and Maidstone) capped off the walking programme with a fabulous, solo 3km win in 11:38.53, an indoor PB and his third senior indoor title.

Cameron Corbishley

Brisith Milers' Club

Traditionally, this Championships also hosts a BMC event, which featured three significant age group records. Kojo Kyereme (Phillio Kissi, Shaftesbury Barnet) ran 8:41.06 for an M50 record. Harry Wakefield (Ian Grime, Salford H) clocked 1:52.45 for an M35 best. Evan Grime (Ian Grime, Salford H) was also in record-breaking form as he improved the U17 16-year-old best 1500m to 3:49.47 to add to his UK No.1 3000m of all time, 8:23.76 set earlier this winter.

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