BMC National Junior Academy Meeting

Harriers’ junior squad members were in fine form at the BMC National Junior Academy Meeting at Trafford on Saturday evening June 7th.

The format is the same as the Nike Grand Prix meetings for seniors, with the emphasis on helping athletes run fast times with pacemakers provided in each race and hopefully achieve qualifying standards for this summer’s major national junior championship, the English Schools’ Track and Field Championships in July, and the UK Under-17/15 Track Championships in August.

Squad member Harry Long, an under-17 who has been steadily improving with every race in the 3,000 metres ran intelligently to take another healthy chunk of his previous best of 9-21 at the distance.

“Harry looked easy as he ran 9-13 and should edge closer to the 9 minute mark by the end of the season” said squad coaches Mike and Pete Nixon.

In the 1,500 metre races there were more big advances in best times, under-15 Jack Nixon started the season with a best of 4-33.5 lowered this to 4-28.

For any up-and-coming middle distance athlete a sub-4 minute clocking is always a big landmark achievement and under-20 Michael Cooke achieved this aim on Saturday.

After narrowly missing out the previous weekend at Sportcity with 4 minutes dead, Mike ground out the necessary sub 64 second laps to finish 2nd in 3-57 securing the National under-20 entry standard and also the English Schools’ qualifying time.

Breaking the 2 minute barrier for 800 metres is another mark for junior men that earns the respect of fellow BMC members and Jack Morris is well on his way to achieving this aim with another healthy improvement from last season at 2-10 to 2-03.

It will only be a matter of time before he bags a sub 2 minute clocking.

Coaches Mike and Pete Nixon emphasised once again that consistency in training had been the key to the squad members success on Saturday night nothing else!

Manchester Urbanathlon

Anyone who is thinking of doing the Urbanathlon, a 10km adventure race around Sportcity, Medlock Valley and Philips Park which includes 13 urban obstacles along the route on Sunday July 13th, should contact Alan Dilkes before entering as we have several free entries.

It could save you £38!

Entry forms available in the Club House or visit www.urbanathlon.co.uk.

British Milers Club Nike Grand Prix

Report: Dave Turnbull - 2/6/2008

Steve Vernon comfortably won the Ilkley Trail Race by over 2 minutes

More club records fell last Saturday evening at the British Milers Club Nike Grand Prix at SportCity.

Ross Millington lowered his best by over 2 seconds to 3-45.13 with a strong finish in the 1,500 metre A-race won by Australian Mitch Kealey.

Another record fell to Ben Styles who produced a 1-51.97 to come 4th in a close finish in the 800 metres.

Also at the meeting Mike Cooke set a personal best with 4-00.85 in the 1,500 metres.

Elsewhere Steve Vernon continued his preparartion for the European Mountain Trial Race in July coming out on top in the Ilkley Trail Race. He opened up a big lead to win comfortably in 40-26, over 2 minutes ahead of Bingley’s Tim Midgeley in 42-36.

Edinburgh Marathon

Eleven members of the Harriers made to trip up to Scotland for the Edinburgh Marathon.

Despite the strong winds most came away with personal bests although Jenny Kinnaird’s time included a 50 minute break to sportingly shout engagement to her club mates finishing in the opposite direction.