Euro W3000m bronze to brilliant Millie!
For those of us on the edges of our seats at about 9.48 pm last Friday, watching an exciting race unfold on BBC TV, there were times when we wondered! We should have had more faith in Melissa Courtney! 16 of the best female endurance athletes in Europe lined up for this evening final, to be raced over 15 laps of the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. Melissa’s GB team-mate, Scot Laura Muir – for whom this is her home track – went straight into the lead. Melissa was never worse than 5th. The first 1000m (5 laps) were completed in 2-56.9.
Into lap 6, a group of 8 began to move ahead of the rest. With Laura still controlling the pace from the front, 2000m was passed in 5-48.9. Melissa accelerated enough to slot into 3rd. Laura and the second athlete (German Klosterhalfen) pushed the pace again and by the end of lap 13 – just two to go – had gone further ahead. Laura continued to pull away, completing the last 200 in 28 seconds. Klosterhalfen stayed clear of Millie, who in turn was being challenged by Reh of Germany. At this point Millie’s determination and strength maintained her pace and place, enough to finish third in an amazing indoor PB of 8-38.22, more than five seconds better than her previous PB and even one second faster than her OUTDOOR best! Laura won in a new Championship Record of 8-30.61. Klosterhalfen finished in 8-32.47 and Reh in 4th achieved 8-39.45. Millie’s indoor time is the fourth fastest ever by a GB woman. Now she has another major Championship bronze to add to her collection! Thoughts for her and Laura and others will now go forward to September/October in Doha and the 17th IAAF World Championships. If she has time she may be able to get down to Ashdown again to inspire more PAC athletes on the track where her Athletics journey really began! We hope so!
William wins in the rain at Upton parkrun
In the wind and rain on Sunday (March 3rd) at the Upton House Junior parkrun, William Rabjohns won, running from the front, in a new course record for boys of 6-34. Two other Upton Junior regulars, Dylan Green and Leo Riggs, finished behind him on a wild morning! Oliver Nyathi was not far behind them, in 5th. A hardy 37 runners finished.
For parents of athletes aged 4 – 14, Junior parkrun (2 kms) run on Sunday mornings starting at 9.00 am at the far end of the Upton House car park, is a friendly way of testing their training, fitness, attitude, etc. Maybe try it?