Despite cancelling their usual Age Group Championships the South of England Athletic Association were delighted to host the alternative Covid Games at Chelmsford Athletic Centre over the weekend of 29^th and 30 August allowing those athletes of all ages who have had the opportunity of some track and field training to have the chance of a competition.

Opening the competition for Harriers on Saturday morning in cold, wet and windy conditions was Hollie Martin-Whymark who made her debut U15 appearance.  After early morning nerves she ran a competent race to finish with a new unofficial PB of 13.5s to finish fourth in her heat. 

Despite no official training in his favoured Long Jump, first year U15 Archie Smith showed pluck to compete with a best of 4.61m.

Maya Rattray, now an U20, also executed a good season opener to finish just outside her PB to cross fifth in a very fast heat in 12.95s.

In slightly better conditions than she has had to endure so far this summer, Rebecca Jeggo added to her superb 2020 season by placing second in her heat to Olympic relay medallist Desiree Henry.   Clocking yet another confident sub 12 second run on Sunday morning. Jeggo, placed in lane 6, to the right of Henry enjoyed a highly competitive and tightly fought battle which saw her cross in 11.71s (2.8) just 6 100dths behind the winner.  This was her final race before heading to Manchester for the British Championships where she will compete both the 1oom and 200m.

Charlie Dobson’s phenomenal season came to a bitter end following another great showing in the Senior Men’s 100m.  After a  strong race which saw him comfortably win his heat in a blistering 10.12s (4.4)– equalling the time he set the previous week,  just after crossing the line he felt a pull in his right hamstring and will now await results of a scan to assess the severity of the injury.  Sadly, this puts his chances of a British Championship gold medal out of reach for this year.