The U20/U23 English National Championships were held at Bedford International Stadium on Saturday 16  and Sunday 17 June.  Athletes who had achieved the entry standard were eligible to compete from all four home countries.  During the weekend there were five Colchester Harriers competing in their chosen events.

The only U23 athlete was 19 year old Phillppa Davenall who competed in the hammer. She acquitted herself well, finishing 5^th, as a 1^st year athlete, with a best throw of 55.72m.

At U20 level both Joy Ogunleye and Caitlin O’Reilly competed in the 100m on Day One. In what proved to be a high-quality field Joy equalled her personal best of 12.04s in her heat to qualify as a fastest loser for the semi-final, where she finished 6^th with a time of 12.16s. Caitlin ran 12.56s in her heat.

On Day two and in the 200m, Rebecca Jeggo ran a national standard time of 24.86s which qualified her for the semi-finals as a fastest loser. With the 10^th fastest time overall in the heats she was unfortunate to draw lane one for the semi-final finishing 6^th in a time of 25.07s. She achieved these times despite having a strapped fractured finger.

In the equivalent race for the U20 men, Charlie Dobson went into the race as joint favourite.  True to form Charlie dominated his heat and semi-final as he has done all season. The final turned out to be a thrilling race with Charlie running a superb bend and racing shoulder to shoulder with his nearest rival down the home straight to take a well-deserved silver medal.  His time of 20.88s was once again within the World Junior standard time.  He now has a tense wait to see if he has been selected to represent GB at the World Juniors in Finland in July.

Chris Jeggo