Very possibly the final comps of the season, with UK Athletics extending the track & field season till 31st October, to allow the younger athlete to compete within their age category before moving up age, we saw a small number attend competitions in Dagenham and Norwich, on this final day.

Tommy Colsell in his first competition of 2020 took on the wind and rain of a very wet Norwich, running in a well-paced race over 3000 metres Tommy crossed the line in 2nd place with a new PB 10.08 considering the conditions Tommy was happy with his performance.

In equally poor conditions 3 Harriers made their way to Mayesbrook Park, Dagenham. Lyla Belshaw was lining up with one of her training partners Paul Preston the unusual track distance of 1 mile. Lyla started her race in her normal manner passing through the first 409 metres in sub 76, Paul had also his race plan sitting behind two runners just behind Lyla and passing the 409 metre mark in 77 he knew it was faster than usual. Lyla moved into the last 200m and could hear Paul’s distinctive stride closing quickly. This urged Lyla to put in a final effort moving into the last 100m, which enabled her to maintain a gap to Paul. Lyla crossed the line in a new U13 club record 5.21.81 (6:08 was the previous record), a pretty impressive time for this 12-year-old, and ranked 1st U13G for the Mile in the UK this year. Paul followed very closely and was timed at 5.22.47, both will run faster next time in better conditions.

This left the youngest member of the group Paul’s son Hayden aged 9. Hayden was entered into the U11 600m giving 2 years to the other competitors and like dad he started with a race plan and sticking to this Hayden was pulled round to finish in 2.12.95 a very creditable first run out on a synthetic track, the race gave Hayden great confidence for next year.

Saturday also saw Isla and Alex Widdowson take the long journey to Loughborough to compete in a schools event at Prestwold Hall. Isla started in the year 7 race in beautiful sunshine, she followed orders and made good speed to the first tight left-hand corner, she then fell at the next in the slippery conditions, she picked herself up and worked hard to move up the field moving from 12 to 8 on the far side of the course, the final part of the race was uphill where we saw Isla making her way through the tiring runners coming into the home straight in 5th, Isla had her sights on the 4th placed runner she crossed the line in the same time, a brilliant result and shows her hard work in training is paying off. Younger brother Alex running in the year 4 race also had a good performance finishing 26th both brother and sister did the Widdowson family proud and it was a happy car on the long journey home.