Get set for the start of the 2020 indoor season in Sheffield
We're heading into a New Year, new decade; and the first week in January is the start of the new indoor season. On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January, our Senior and U20 Combined Events Championships takes place at the EIS in Sheffield, with 130 athletes set to compete.
Fired up and focused for the start of the season, competition amongst athletes is sure to step-up a level this coming season, being an Olympic year and with these events being a selection opportunity to represent England at international competition over the following months.
The Senior and U20 men’s heptathlon events will take place across the weekend, and include: 60m, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, 60m Hurdles, Pole Vault and 1000m. The U20 women’s pentathlon will take place on Saturday and the Senior women on Sunday, and include: 60m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put, Long Jump and 800m. In addition, there will be men’s and women’s 3km walks and various distance BMC events taking place on the Sunday.
Senior Men Heptathlon
43 athletes have entered the Senior men’s event, the highest number of entries coming from this field. Ashley Bryant (Club: Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow AC, Coach: Aston Moore) being tipped as the one to watch. Having competed in two Commonwealth Games, he’s on the comeback trail after some time out due to injury and will have everything to give and go for. There’ll be strong competition coming from Andrew Murphy (Club: Kilbarchan AAC, Coach: Colin Sinclair) UK number 3, as well as Caius Joseph (Club: Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC, Coach: Rafer Joseph), Nicolas Gerome (Club: Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC, Coach: Rafer Joseph) and Ben Clarke (Worcester AC, Mike Corden), the top 3 ranked U23 decathletes.
Senior Women Pentathlon
34 athletes have entered the senior women’s event. There’s a strong field amongst the senior women and competition is set to be tough. Kate O'Connor (Club: St Gerards AC, Coach: Toni Minichiello) NI number 1, will be looking to defend her title, and could face a potential head-to-head battle with Holly Mills (Club: Andover AC, Coach: Laura Turner-Alleyne),last year’s U20 champion who’s moving up to senior this season, currently ranked UK number 3. Hot on these ladies’ heels, will be Sarah Connolly (Club: Harrow AC, Coach: Rafer Joseph) NI number 2 and Jo Rowland (Club: Crawley AC, Coach: Lueng Man) UK number 4.
The winner of the Women’s Senior Combined Events Championship will be offered the competition opportunity at the indoor triathlon in Linz in Early February, to compete against some of Europe’s best combined eventers. Click here to view and download a copy of the Indoor Selection Policies 2020 (PDF 182kB)
U20 Men Heptathlon
29 athletes have entered the U20 men’s event. Silver medallist last year, Scott Brindley (Club: North Ayrshire AC, Coaches: Colin Sinclair/Mark Stringer/Brian Donaldson) will be looking to go one better and take the top spot. And with 3 of the top 5 ranked heptathletes in England on the start, Rory Howorth (Club: Team Bath AC, Coach Charlotte Wingfield) number 3, Owen Heard (Club: Harrow AC, Coach: Conrad Kalinowski) number 4 and Philip Kastner (Club: Walton AC, Coach: Adrian Hemery) number 5, Brindley will have a battle on his hands.
U20 Women Pentathlon
24 athletes have entered the U20 women’s event, and this field could be the one to have you on the edge of your seats, as 3 of the top U17 pentathletes move up to this age group. Abigail Pawlett (Club: Stockport Track & Field, Coach; Joe Frost) competed up an age group last year, winning U17, Ella Rush (Club: Amber Valley and Erewash AC, Coaches: Michael Baker/Joe McColgan/Martin Bishell) took the silver, and Emily Misantoni (Club: Stockport Track & Field, Coach: Joe Frost) took bronze. They will be up against Jenna Blundell (Club: Bristol & West AC, Coach: Toni Minichiello/Julie Alexander) current number 3 and Mia Chantree (Club: Chelmsford AC, Coach: Steve Mitchell) number 6.
3k Walks
A total of 15 athletes have entered the 3k walks taking place on Sunday, 7 men and 8 women. A relatively small field in comparison to other events over the weekend, but strong no doubt. Olympian Tom Bosworth (Club: Tonbridge/Leeds Beckett Uni, Coach: Andi Drake) is taking part in the men’s and will have 6 (12 fast feet) hot on his heels. We'll see strong competition from the women's event too.
BMC
There will be a number of BMC races taking place on Sunday over 800m, 1500m and 3000m, in which winners of the ‘A’ BMC race will be offered a competition opportunity for the England team at one of the European events. Click here to view and download a copy of the Indoor Selection Policies 2020 (PDF 182kB)
Entries for the BMC race close on Thursday 19 December - click here to enter via their website.
Andy Day, England Athletics’ Teams & Competitions Manager, said:
‘It’s set to be a fantastic season, and year, for our sport. Athletes will be invigorated by the Olympics, and motivations will move up a gear as the opportunity to represent our country is on offer. These competitions are a great platform for athletes to develop and grow and move on to the next level, and we have a very strong field starting the season in Sheffield.
‘We wish all athletes competing the very best of luck and encourage fellow athletes and clubs to show their support.’
Event Information
Address: EIS Sheffield, Coleridge Road, Sheffield, S9 5DA
Times
Saturday: competition starts 10.30am
Sunday: competition starts 10:00am
Cost: Entry by purchase of an event programme – £3
Useful information and links
Click here for live results as they come in
Click here to see combined events athlete entry lists
Click here to view and download a copy of the Indoor Selection Policies 2020 (PDF 182kB)
We’ll also be covering the weekend’s events on our social media channels, links below to give us a follow: