England Athletics Senior and U20 track and field and combined events championships, powered by Citroën: The weekend starts here
The battle for Great Britain team places for the World U20 Championships topped the bill on day one of three. But with plenty of world class athletes also on show in the senior champs not to mention a fabulous field in the two combined events competitions, there was plenty to get excited about.
For a Friday afternoon/evening timetable, that didn’t just mean finals. There was also some great action in the qualifying rounds, all of which means the second and third days will be ones to watch either in the stadium or if you can’t get to Bedford, via the live stream. Here’s how the first day’s action unfolded:
Seniors
As ever at these Championships, Charlotte Payne (Ian Payne, Newbury) was in superb form. She not only added yet another England hammer title to her ever-growing list (six and counting), she improved her own Championships Best Performance of 69.19 from 2022. Her third-round throw of 71.25 was yet another beyond 70 metres this season for this rapidly improving athlete and hinted of much more to come.
“I’m trying to keep my streak going of throwing over 70 metres, so that was pleasing,” said Payne. “And this was really good preparation for the Commonwealth Games. I really wanted to work on those first three throws with that in mind, so all good for that.” Payne also reported she’s changed one element of her training. Her usual lucky Bart Simpson socks have been retired and she now sports ones with a LA logo with the next Olympics in mind. They appear to be working.
On the track, the women’s 5000 metres kicked off an afternoon of action led by Sophie Nicholls (Simon Prior, Wells City Harriers). She won in 16:49.11, good running in the hot, windy conditions. She’s starting her second year at Belmont University in Nashville, USA next month so unlike many others in the race, this marked the end of her season. “It’s cross-country next,” she laughed. “In America it’s in August so it’ll be hot.”
It may have been the first event in the programme, but the men’s hammer certainly caught the eye. Craig Murch (Matt Spicer, Birchfield) second in the UK Champs earlier this summer opened his account with 66.91 to take the early lead. Comfortable with the Bedford circle – he threw 72.21 early season at this venue – he closed the second round with 68.88 to stretch away from the field. Frustratingly 70 metres remained just out of reach but his fifth round 69.02 gave him the gold to improve on his silver from last season. “I’m happy with that,” said Murch. “It’s tough to throw on a Friday afternoon as you’re just not used to it. I know I’m in PB shape so hopefully I can find something later in the season. Apparently, I’m just four places off European selection and although I’m not targeting that, it’s nice to know!”
U20s
On paper, the men’s 100 metres promised to be a cracker and Friday’s heats demonstrated that perfectly. In the very first heat, James Arminio (Justin Smith, Gloucester) flew to a personal best of 10.30, fully 0.14sec faster than his previous mark. Next up was Jake Odey-Jordan (Kevin Schnexnayder, BeFit Track Academy) who has run 10.01 this season for a European record. Of course, it was just the heats but nevertheless his 10.33 shutting it down after just 50 metres suggested something quick is on the cards for Saturday. Similarly Lily Bradley (Joseph McDonnell, City of Norwich) looked very impressive on her way to 11.45 in the women’s heats.
Donncha Blake (Biggleswade) hit form at exactly the right moment to win the pole vault in 4.90. Early on, he needed three attempts at 4.70 but his first-time clearance was a 9cm PB and a hard-won gold medal. Also an athlete to watch was Wyatt Larkins (Jamie Bath, Harrow) who threw 70.17 in the hammer. He’s thrown 72.36 in Utah, USA this season in a specially organised event, but this was easily his best performance in England. Charlie Mason (Carloyn Franks, Cheltenham and County) was equally impressive in the javelin, his huge third round 71.48 personal best of more than two metres securing him the gold medal.
While the sprinters, jumpers and throwers enjoyed the warm weather, conditions weren’t so good for the distance runners. On paper Tom Webb’s (Yeovil) time in the 5000 metres of 14:53.31 looks run of the mill, but his final 300 metres was anything but and he powered clear with a spectacular sprint that saw all but one of the competitors still in contention at the bell.
As tense and dramatic as that was, perhaps the most exciting event of the day came in the triple jump where just 1cm separated the top two after three rounds. Sean Atafo (John Herbert, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) led the way with 15.55 from Harley Henry (Craig Andrew, Shaftesbury Barnet) 15.54.
The 1500 metres concluded a great day on the track. A brave run from Maisey Bellwood (Keighley and Craven) saw her lead every step of the way. A big pack hovered 20 or 30 metres behind her looking ominous for the long-time leader, but with 300 metres to run that changed. She eased further away as she hit the final bend and emerged a comfortable winner, stopping the clock at 4:22.58.
Combined Events
U20 men’s decathlon
Luke Pichler (Daniel Njay-Rowney, Blyth) topped the leader board after the first event thanks to a comfortable looking 100 metres in 11.35. Given his impressive record in the combined events, where he has featured nationally in every age group from U13 upwards, that might have resulted in a guaranteed medal. But ten technical events can be tricky, and his competition effectively ended in the long jump where didn’t record a mark. The blustery wind caused him all sorts of problems. But credit to him, he picked himself up and returned in the shot. Pichler’s long jump disaster left the door open for his competitors who were only too ready to seize the opportunity. First up was Archie Hannent (City of Norwich) who followed up his 11.49 100 metres with a solid 6.65 to take the lead overall. But that was by no means a commanding advantage. It was still very close as just behind him, Finlay Stuart (Taunton), ranked third combined eventer this year, trailed by only two points thanks to his 11.54 and 6.69.
Indeed, it was Stuart who moved into the lead thanks to his 13.77 shot putt. Hannent slipped into the silver medal slot with 11.80. The high jump saw Stuart clear 1.88 at the third time of asking to maintain pole position, but credit to Pichler who also cleared that height. Matejus Varnelis (Mike Stayman, Leeds City) moved into second thanks to a consistent string of performances: 11.71, 6.46, 12.38 and 1.82.
The 400 metres saw yet another shuffle – such is the beauty of the combined events – as Hannent clocked 50.48 ahead of Pichler (51.32). Stuart clocked 54.77 all of which meant the overnight one, two three read: Stuart from Hannent and Varnelis.
U20 women’s heptathlon
Thea Brown (Ashley Bryant, Sale) started her campaign the best possible way with a solid 13.33 in the 100 hurdles just 0.05sec shy of her lifetime best. It marked the start of a superbly consistent day. In the high jump, she waited until the bar was raised to 1.67 before opening her account. She then cleared that first time, eventually raising the bar to 1.79 which gave her a close to 300-point lead going into the shot putt. That good form continued with an outdoor lifetime best of 11.20 in round two (after a no throw in the first). And she finished with another big throw of 11.43 as she headed for the 200 metres, her final event of the day. She dominated that with 24.44 and headed for her hotel comfortably in the lead with 2664 points ahead of Wales’s Matilda Quick (Steve Ingram, Swansea) 2491. Isla Pain (Paul Harrison, Cheltenham and County) rounded out the top three with 2239.
Important information
- Tickets are available here.
- Results and the timetable are available here.
- Photos will be available from Pat Isaacs here.
- Watch the live stream here