PAC News 12, 26th March 2019

William helped England Junior Boys to win in Dublin!

Following the English Schools’ Cross-Country Championships in Leeds on March 16^th, teams were selected to represent England at Junior (u15) Boys/Girls and Intermediate (u17) Boys/Girls levels in the annual international, Home Countries Meeting.  This year it was staged at Santry Demesne in Dublin on March 23^rd on a bright, sunny day on a fairly dry, undulating grass course.

In this Schools International Athletic Board (SIAB) Meeting, each of the Home Countries – England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – enter teams at each age-group.  Each team had eight runners to start and their first six to score.  Having finished 5^th in Leeds, William Rabjohns was one of the youngest to be selected in the England Junior Boys’ team.  In his 4km race, Will finished 4^th, just ahead of the first Irish runner, but behind three older team-mates, in 13-08.  Thus England, with their first six finishers at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, totalled 23 points and won comfortably.  England also won the other three age-group races. The other teams finished in the order Scotland, Ireland and Wales in all four races.  This year there was also a mixed relay, also won by England, just 5 seconds ahead of hosts, Ireland.  Congratulations to all involved.

As a matter of interest, this venue is near the old Santry Stadium, now known as Morton Santry.  In 1958, soon after it opened, Australian Herb Elliott set a new World Mile Record of 3-54.5 on that GRASS track!  It was upgraded to Tartan in 1978 and is now rated as the premier Athletics venue in Ireland.

Our first 2019 Track matches coming soon!

• Next Sunday, March 31^st, when the CLOCKS GO FORWARD (!), a number of our athletes (individually entered) will take part in the Open meeting at Bournemouth Athletic Club’s base in King’s Park.  First events at 10.00 am. The forecast is bright and dry with a headwind for sprinters!
• Wessex League Match 1 on Sunday, April 7^th at Ashdown. Team Manager Peter Cornes will contact those selected.  Unless Peter tells you different, please be at Ashdown by 10 am and report to him. You will need a PAC vest. Note that, only current members can be selected for matches!
• Entry forms and other papers for the Dorset County (Clubs) Championships at King’s Park on May 11th are now available on the Dorset County Athletics Association web-site under the heading News/Track and Field. Entries close April 26th.