Three of Chiltern Harriers young athletes took part in this high standard event with athletes competing from all over the South of England. The new venue opened by the Minister for Sport and Culture, Tessa Jowell, during the week provided an awesome experience for all taking part and spectators alike.
Nick Lingley was running indoors for the first time and, although still only 14, was competing in the U17 age group which he moves up to for this summer's track season. On Saturday he was taking part in the 800m event with heats and final just 3 hours apart. In his heat he moved easily into the lead halfway round the third 200m lap and comfortably won his heat setting a new Championship Best Performance time of 2mins 5.4secs in the process. In the final with 6 runners setting off at pace Nick settled into the back of the field picking off runners gradually through the first two laps of the tight 200m banked track. As the pre race favourite made his move off the curve half way round the 3rd lap Nick came off the banking to pass him at speed with 250m to go. As Nick went through the bell, the favourite started to move out from behind to pass but accidentally caught Nick's heel and both nearly fell over. Nick came off worst, losing momentum and the race, but a determined effort earned him the silver medal, his first in a major event. His time matched that of his heat time and he would definitely have improved on his outdoor best but for the incident as the winner clocked 2mins 3.1secs.
On the Sunday he took part in the 1500m final and was undoubtedly feeling the effects of the previous day but, although never in contention for gold against fresh opponents, he produced a solid performance to win bronze in 4mins 26.69 secs.
In the 60m another outstanding performance was provided by Clarice Underwood who like Nick has moved up to the U17 age group for track competition. Last year Clarice's best was 7.94 secs and two successful open meeting practice events in December and January have seen her improve to 7.81secs and 7.76secs respectively. She went into Saturday's competition with the confidence from those runs but knew the competition was very high quality including Asha Philip, a year older and world class performer following her 4th place in the World Junior Championships 100m final last summer.
Clarice breezed through her heat winning in 7.89secs. In her semi-final she was pipped for first place by Twinnelle Hopeson, who narrowly beat Clarice in last winter's U15 championship final, with times of 7.77secs and 7.82secs. Meanwhile, Asha Philip was setting the arena alight by setting consecutive CBP's of 7.60 and 7.56 in her races and was a clear favourite for the final. True to form Asha won the final in 7.41 secs, a time that would have placed her 3rd in the Senior women's final. But behind her Clarice got a brilliant start and comfortably sped through to the silver medal position in a new personal best time of 7.72secs.
U13 Shernay Glasgow was taking part in her first major event and had to enter the U15 60m races. Although placing last in her heat she clocked 7.93 which was close to her Pb set at the previous weekend Open meeting and the experience she gained will be invaluable.
Gary Howells
Coach/ Team Manager
Chiltern Harriers AC