Damien Nugent ran a pb of 12.59 in 100m for the U17m and was followed by James Pearson who also ran a pb 12.07 in 100m for the U15m winning the final. Shannon Jameson ran 100m U15w and came 4th in her heat with a time of 13.38. Lyn Talbert ran a season’s best performance in 15.38 for the V50 and a pb in the 300m 48.77.
His highlight of the afternoon was just missing victory in the B string 110m hurdles. The middle distance squad, in addition to Alec Finch, notched up good performances. Dennis Cross contributed 10 points in the
800m, 1500m and 3k steeplechase. Nick Houghton ran a good 5k in 17m9.7 as did Adam Essa who recorded 17m18.
THURROCK athlete Hayley MacLean took another giant stride in her athletics career by posting a personal best at the first ever meeting at the olympic stadium.
Long jump provided some good results and was kicked off by Jamie Kensey who came in 1st place with a jump 5.79m. Jack Farmer also came in 1st place with a seasons best performance with 5.27m. Yinka Sudipo came in 1st place with a jump of 4.32 and Charlie Splarn jumped a respectable 3.85m. Yet again Liam Barnard produced another fine performance with a personal best of 3.77 to win. Toyin Olufemi jumped a seasons best of 3.83 and Beth James jumped 4.24m.
After going through many rounds of the Aviva SportsHall Athletics with the Essex squad, James Pearson attended the National Finals at the LG Arena, Birmingham on the 21st April and took part in the U13 boys (years 7 &8) shot putt final. Being invited to the competition as an individual James’ 2nd putt of 13.73m proved to be the winner and saw James win the Aviva SportsHall UK Final U13 shot putt.
Steve Prosser, who has been injured for most of the winter, finished 415 in the 37,000 competitors. His time of 2h 47m16s was outside his pb but a remarkable performance given his unpromising preparation. After his usual cautious start Scott Rice moved smoothly through to an excellent pb of 2hr49m58s just missing a place in the top 500.
Ockendon's Tony Brown ran for Children with Cancer UK. We had featured Tony a few weeks ago and all that training was worth it as he finished in 4.44.47. Grays woman Amy Trencher also had a fantastic marathon. Running for Coleaic UK, she ran a very swift 3hrs 55.39.
Samuel Ekunole and Tyler came 2nd and 3rd respectively for taking part in the U15 shot putt and Tyler Chu improved his pb in Javelin which he set last week with a throw of 19.52m and proving that the javelin is becoming a successfull event for the Harrier squad, Alice Martin also threw a pb of 19.79 and Lucy Jewel in yet another event throwing a seasons best of 16.74m.
Rebecca Barnard kicked off her season with a 400m of 70.37 and Sarah Driver 800m in 2:38.16. Elle Smith ran 800m in 2:41.96 and is promising a great season. Sarah March came in 3rd for Thurrock in the 1500m in a time of 5:31.71.
Alex Houghton, the first runner home in 34mins 11secs told the Harlow Star: “It’s a perfect day for running. "It’s a great event and it’s always nice to help a charity and I hope St Clare is able to raise a lot of money from today. It was a great course and well marshaled– fantastic.”
Representing Thurrock, Gemma Holloway, a 14 year old William Edwards Student and Thurrock Harrier, once again proved what a talented up and coming athlete she is.
RISING track star, Hayley McLean scooped four gold medals at the Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships this week. The Great Britain 400m hurdle international picked up gold in the under-20 women’s 200m, 400m, 60m and 60m hurdles at the indoor track at Lee Valley Stadium.
Up against some fierce competition she refused to let the field of nearly 200 runners intimidate her, finishing the fast paced 4k race in an impressive 3rd place. Her next challenge will be back at Basildon this Saturday, in the Southern Schools Inter County Championship.
The Essex Schools Cross Country Championships, held at Gloucester Park, Basildon on Saturday , saw 14 year old Gemma Holloway, a year 10 pupil from William Edwards School, take on some tough competition in her 4.6k race, up against girls three years older than her. Despite being scored separately, the Inter Girls (year 10 & 11) and Senior Girls (year 12 & 13) ran together to make up the 87 runners on the cold and windy start line.
WILLIAM EDWARDS student, Gemma Holloway was in magnificent form at the weekend as the 14-year-old Thurrock Harrier captured the Essex Cross Country Championships.
