Manchester International: the last roar
Just as neighbours Manchester City began the defence of their Premiership title with their first home game of the football year, so the summer came to a dramatic close as a strong England team took on Scotland, Wales and Thames Valley Harriers who were representing the National Athletics League in this traditional season finale.
Admittedly the biggest roar did come from the huge crowd which was in the stadium barely a discus distance away, but nonetheless there was plenty to cheer when it came to the action in the track and field arena. Plus, there was an opportunity to say ‘thank you for everything’ to Holly Bradshaw (Kate Rooney, Blackburn), one of England’s finest pole vaulters ever who used this meeting to bring her career, which included an Olympic bronze medal in 2021, to a close.
Bradshaw was in magnificent form and it was a perfect send-off for the former British record holder. She cleared 4.55m with her third attempt.
“I was just really grateful to be here,” she said, happy to be invited to take part in what was essentially a men’s competition. “I wanted to compete on my home track. This is where I started 15 or 16 years ago and be in front of friends, family and local crowd for one more time.
“I’ve been doing a lot of pole vault only competitions this season where you pick your own song. It’s been a year about enjoying myself and today I felt that same energy from the crowd,” she continued, explaining how she’s devoted this past season to rediscovering her love for the sport.
“I’ve had a lot of good memories but Manchester wins hands down. It doesn’t get better than competing here and that’s even including competing at London in 2012 [where she finished sixth in front of the huge home crowd].
“Now it’s time for me to move onto another chapter. I’ve had a great time and it’s time to move on to something else.”
While Bradshaw was battling the wind and rain, the meeting on the track started in cracking style as Efekeomo Okoro (Tony Hadley, Birchfield) powered to 48.89 in the 400H. That was a PB and club record for the Birchfield man, but he had to be in that kind of form as behind him, Tyri Donovan (Marina Armstrong, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow), wearing the England vest chased him all the way to line on his way to 49.38.
Bianca Williams (Linford Christie, TVH), representing the NAL in Manchester was also in sparkling form as she put her 22.58 Olympic speed over 200 to good use to win the 100 in 11.68 from England’s Joy Eze (Gateshead), the European U20 Champion from last year, who clocked 11.76. In the ambulant 100, there was no catching Commonwealth champion Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker (Nat Senior, Newham, T47) who looked very smooth on his way to 11.70, which illustrates just how testing the conditions were given he’s run inside 11 seconds this season.
Sadly for the track athletes in particular, the wind proved to be tricky all afternoon as at times it gusted to a headwind of -1.7m/s. That was exactly the case for the 200 as Luke Dorrell (AFD) who won the match race for England in 20.88, which compares very favourably with his 20.72 which surely was on the cards if it had changed direction.
England’s dominance on the track continued when Natasha Harrison (Alex O’Gorman, Stockport) took the match 400 in a solid 53.32, while Alicia Barret (Lewis Samuel, Sheffield and Dearne) took the 100H in 13.41 thanks to her superb lean for the line. Her thoughts? The headwind was a pain!
Earlier, the discus had been all about Lawrence Okoye (Zane Duquemin, Croydon Harriers) who opened the competition with 61.80. The Paris Olympian has been over 60 metres in 13 of his 14 competitions this season so it was no surprise to see him improve to 62.57 in the third round.
In the women’s competition Zara Obamakinwa (Mark Chapman, Blackheath and Bromley) was in good form, throwing 52.05 into what proved a tricky headwind, not to mention the light drizzle. Rachel Leck (Catherina Halden, Jersey, F38) threw 28.46 in the ambulant competition for the win, while Daniel Greaves (Zane Duquemin Charnwood, F44) completed a clean sweep of England wins with his 52.90 fourth round throw and the perfect preparation for the Paralympics which he competes in next week.
A second round 69.32 secured the hammer win for England’s Craig Murch (Matt Spicer, Birchfield), which kept the host nation comfortably ahead of the chasing pack in terms of the team score. Of course, the points-mean-everything format did result in a few tactical middle distances races where everybody wanted to save it for the final sprint. And it’s England’s Rob Shipley (John Henson, City of York) who is a master of just that as he won yet again with a fantastic last 100 metres of the 800, this time stopping the clock in 1:51.36. The time looks unspectacular but when it comes to taking the title, he’s won the England title and the northern champs using precisely the same tactics. Also catching the eye was Luke Sinnott who conquered the gusting wind better than everyone else in the ambulant long jump with 6.64 (Roger Keller, Bournemouth, T61).
The day – and the season concluded – with a string of thrilling relays. First up were the women in the 4x100 which Team England took comfortably in 45.24, Eze well ahead of the chasing teams. Not to be outdone, Team England’s men were equally impressive on their way to 40.40.
The 4x400s were no less dramatic and exciting as Harrison, the winner of the match race earlier anchored the quartet to a 3:38.84 victory. Over to the men’s team, who duly obliged with an equally comprehensive win in 3:06.53.
Thanks to the officials, volunteers and everybody who helped put this – and every other event this season – to together. It’s very much appreciated and events like this couldn’t take place without such expert help.
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