On the first day of the 2017 Essex County Championships at Blackshots Athletics Stadium, Thurrock on Monday, Colchester Harriers young all round athlete Madeleine Claydon, finished a fine 13th overall in the under 15 girls pentathlon, in less than ideal conditions.

In cool, wet and windy conditions Madeleine, who was competing in her first combined events competition, scored a total of 1,634 points from the five events, to finish ninth of the girls from Essex competing in the County Championship event.

In the morning session Madeleine leapt out to 3.83m in the long jump, clocked 15.5s in her first ever 75m hurdles race before putting the 3kg shot 4.51m to finish the session in 18th position with 810 points.

With the two afternoon events being Madeleine’s favoured ones she moved up a couple of places after the high jump competition, equalling her personal best in clearing 1.30m and three further places after her 800m race where she stopped the clock at 2m 54.8s to end a very tough day of competition.  In more favourable conditions Madeleine hopes to improve her score by at least 300 points later in the year.