Over 2000 runners faced the starter in the Liverpool 10K Tunnel Run. Liverpool Pembroke Sefton star Kirsty Longley relished the occasion and stormed to victory in the Women`s race in 37.45. Afterwards she jumped into a car with her family and raced to Stretford for her club`s second League Match. Lining up with some very useful athletes in the 3000m she could have been forgiven for coasting around and collecting a few points. However, it is not the nature of Kirsty and she battled ferociously with Gail Griffiths of the Isle of Man in the finishing straight to collect victory by the narrowest of margins. Not content she threw in a leg of the 4 x 400m relay as well! In the last 12 months she has picked up England and Northern representative vests, set two club records and has been the club`s most loyal and consistent endurance athlete. See video
At Trafford LPS are clearly in trouble and facing possible relegation from Division 2W. The competition is fiercer this year and requires full support from all sections of the club. There were some excellent individual victories besides Kirsty’s. Danny Higham sparkled with a 200m in 22.5 and Nathan Hilton continued his fine run of 400m results with 48.2. These together with Jesse Roberts and Wayne Ashall combined for an easy 4 x 400m relay win. Billy Williams too was in excellent high jump mode clearing 1.85m. Among the women Kate Doran took her high jump with 1.50m. The list of courageous performances was endless but there were sadly significant gaps and the club ran out fifth out of six teams, a slight improvement on the previous match but leaving a mountain to climb if they are to survive. Given the club`s potential this is not out of the question but the next encounter, a home match at Litherland, will require super-human endeavors. Results
The county schools` matches were also held over the weekend. At the Merseyside’s Joe Milton was again unstoppable with a Junior Boy 300m win in 36.9, a time that will be noted all over the UK. Rosie Johnson found herself in a highly competitive Intermediate 1500m but collected the title with 4.35.4. The high jumpers were again in form, Amelia McLauglin (Intermediate) winning with 1.66m and Owen Southern(Yr 6/7) on 1.40m. Amelia also experienced gold medal success at the Shot (8.44m).
In the Greater Manchester schools championships held at Stretford, Rob Parkinson was the sole LPS athlete, but he gained a bronze medal finishing 3rd in the SB 800 race in a new PB time of 2.01.5
At Wigan, 9 athletes competed in the Lancashire School championships. Morgan Greaves-Thomas JB 100m (11.4) and Lucy Staunton-Turner JG Javelin (30.35m, both achieved the qualifying standards for the English schools in July. In addition, Ed Latimer won gold in the JB 300m and Ben Singleton bronze in the IB 3K (9:44.6)
Charles Gains
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