STANFORD'S Hayley McLean has been selected for the England team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The senior international call-up is a significant breakthrough for the former Palmer's College athlete and an indication of how far Hayley has come.
THE CHAFFORD HUNDRED running group produced a number of excellent performances at the Southend Half Marathon. For many, it was the first time at the distance and, with temperatures reaching close to 80 degrees, it was testament to the training and dedication of the athletes that they performed so well.
ON Sunday the Orsett 3 mile fun run took place attracting a disappointingly small field. The race is held round the lanes of the village and is always enjoyed by the competitors.
OUTSTANDING performance came from Michael Shortall who won the official "man of the match award" with his winning time in the 400m hurdles of 57.7s. He was in his usual point scoring form in many events the best of which was the 110m hurdles where he was 2nd with an excellent time of 16.1s. One of the few doubles of the day came when Michael won the B long jump whilst team mate Dan George took the A string event.
THURROCK hurdler Khai Riley-Laborde continued his impressive start to the season with a qualifying time for the World Champs. The Enfield and Haringey hurdler clocked 14.22 in Cardiff at the British Athletic League match. This was done despite the very difficult windy conditions.
EVEN now this remains a milestone in any athletes career. In the Harriers 65 year history only 1 person has achieved this mark. He was Barry Smith who recorded 3m59.4s in 1976. Later Barry moved to Gateshead with his job. Here he ran a second faster and made it to the Olympic 5000 semi final. He also broke the British 10k record.
THESE include winning the Essex 20 and Essex Marathon and multiple wins in the veterans age groups. Somewhat unfortunately for the Corringham based athlete there are currently two world class endurance runners who are in his age group and living in Essex: Dave Butler (Billericay Striders) and Dave Cox (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) are capable of winning titles at world level but this would not stop the very competitive Thurrock athlete from taking up their challenge.
IT IS a long way. Every year, since 1981, it comes round and ever year we stand in awe at the people determined to put themselves through the agony of 26 miles and 385 yards. There are a number of Thurrock folk running the marathon. They all have a chip in their race number and so we can follow their 5K split times on the Virgin marathon website.
THE Brentwood Half-Marathon saw the usual huge field of 2000 toe the line and the return to Essex of David Johnson. He acquitted himself well in 14th place with a time of 79 minutes an improvement of almost a minute. Most pleased with his effort was Jason Syrett who returned a pb effort 86.46 in 66th place.
MICHAEL Bumstead ran a remarkable 40.20 for 10K at the St Clare's Hospice in Harlow. On a lovely sunny morning, the over 60's veteran put in a fine time over the undulating course. Gary Cahill came 33rd in 41.29 and Toni Noble 45h in 43.10.
THE Lakeside Hammers Community Programme is declaring 2014 as the year “When Every Point Counts!” as we are thrilled to announce that our Regional Charity for this year will be Little Havens Hospice. Little Havens Hospice is set in beautiful woodland near Thundersley, Essex and cares for children with life-limiting conditions, and their families, throughout the journey of their illness.
Parkruns are 5km runs that encourage entrants to race against the clock rather than each other. They have proved very popular around the country and around the country. Our sister paper, www.yourharlow.com reports regularly on the Waltham Abbey 5k which runs most Saturday mornings.
THE Essex and Eastern Counties indoor competition this weekend was held at Lee Valley and Thurrock's James Pearson didn't disappoint. The Enfield and Haringey athlete was entered in two events with the possibility of four medals which is exactly what he came away with.
NOT many sportsmen have the dilemma that faces Tei Lynn-Jones. The 19-year-old excels at a variety of sports. He reached the national finals of the boxing newcomers competition. He has played football for Tilbury reserves.
IN April 1964, Grays-based Mel Batty ran 40 laps of Herningham's cinder track to break the world 10 mile record with 47m26.8s. The Thurrock Harriers are holding a dinner with celebrity guest speakers to commemorate his achievement.
