Brewer Games 2022

08 May 2022

This year the Brewer Memorial Games returned to its rightful spot on the May Bank Holiday for the first time since 2019 bringing with it the sun… maybe even ideal weather for a world record and who would believe that that’s exactly what happened!

Every time Jane Horder competes its best to prepare for the spectacular and she certainly delivered at the Brewer Games. Competing over the 80m hurdles, Horder knocked 0.46 off the previous world F65 record set back in 2008, crossing the line in a staggering 13.57. A huge accomplishment which sets Horder up nicely for the World Masters Championships later this year. 

(Photo: Jane Horder with her World Record time)

The achievement sparked a record setting atmosphere within the Harriers and before long two more club records had failed. On the field Mike Curneen added 1cm to the M50 Shot Put record with a throw of 9.19, in what is only his first competition of the year. On the track it was Oliver Belbeck who sprinted to his first ever club record. Unlike Curneen, Belbeck has been competing regularly indoor and outdoor already this year and it was brilliant to see his hard work come together in what is arguably his most impressive performance to date. Belbeck ran 38.68 to beat the previous U15B club record set by GB middle distance runner James Brewer all the way back in 2002. Hopefully Belbeck will follow in the World Championship semi-finalists footsteps. 

As well as these three incredible records there were 47 other Harrier PBs (not including the Quadkids event) so let’s take a look at a few. The 100m alone saw 13 Harriers set PBs, PB or not it was amazing to see 21 Harriers compete over the event. The quickest of the Harriers was SM Brendon Chirisah who ran 11.46 on his debut, just holding off fellow Harrier Sam Howell who ran 11.54. It was a season's best for U20 Oliver Spencer running 12.13 in the same race U17 Fred Fowler ran 12.36 and SM Jaffar Adams ran 12.57. U17 Ralph Nicklin lowered his PB to 12.07 in the next race. Record setter Oliver Belbeck didn’t just run a phenomenal 300m, he also won his 100m race in a PB of 12.25, just ahead of Max Lancett in 12.38 and Philip Hunt who ran 12.52 (PB). U15 Elinor Farrier, U17 Cara Walsh, U15 Esme Rolfe and para athlete Gareth Picken also took race wins running 13.32, 14.05, 14.44 (PB) and 21.93 respectively. 

Farrier took a second race win in the 200m where she ran 27.76, her quickest ever season opener. Max Lancett also returned for the 200m where he took the win in race 3 in a PB of 25.51, holding off Philip Hunt who also ran a PB of 25.96. U17 Tamsin Hatton won race 8 in a PB of 30.20. Oliver Spencer was our fastest 200m of the day running 24.15. 

In the 300m if it wasn’t a PB it was a race win, with Belbeck Club record causing some inspiration. U20 Sam Howell was impressive on the way to running a PB of 35.12. Lily Marchant took a brilliant win in race 2 in 44.29 with Isobel Burfitt running below 46 seconds for the first time with a fantastic 45.92. There was also a PB for Tamsin Hatton with 46.80. Ruby Brook and Gareth Picken had strong races over 400m finishing in 58.59 and 73.23.

As well as Jane Horder’s mind blowing World Record the hurdles also featured double PBs for our U15 girls over 75m. Ivayla Atanasova ran 13.21 and Francesca Robinson ran 15.12. In the 400m hurdles U20 Alice English ran 73.56.

Moving up to the distance events there was an impressive 1500m run by Ciara Thornley. Thornley lowered her PB to 4:39.12 to go to 14th in the UK U20 rankings. U17s Milly Foster and Abigail Thornley also ran well finishing in 5:28.48 and 5:44.15. Matt Evans was the solo Harrier in the 3000m but had a good run of 10:27.51.

U15 Freddie Coombe started his season last weekend with an impressive PB and his momentum continued at the Brewer Games where he further lowered his PB down to 2:12.48. U15s Bluebell Heath-Smith and Luke Johnson took race wins in 2:30.31 and 2:21.60 (PB).

There were plenty of highlights on the field as well. U15 Edward Palmer equalled his PB in the high jump with a clearance of 1.55. In fact 4 Harriers cleared over 1.40 with U20 Celia Darwent jumping 1.45, U15 Ethan Woodward jumping 1.42 (PB) and U15 Luke Johnson clearing 1.49.  

Bexley Turbard was the overall winner in the pole vault equalling his season's best with 3.30, while Alfie Wood was the overall long jump winner with a best of 6.59.

Although Mike Curneen’s club record was the highlight of the shot put there were four other PBs; U15 Robin Nishimura threw 5.87, U17 Sophie Osude threw 8.07, U15 Esme Rolfe produced a best of 6.59 and U15 Fred Parry managed a brilliant 8.95.

U17 Billy Buxton and F55 Ruth Bird progressed their season's best in the discus with bests of 29.33 and 21.44. Along with his performances in the 100, 400, 800 and javelin, Gareth Picken there 17.77 in the discus, it was brilliant to see Picken competing again for the first time since 2019. U17 Maia Bliss 

Threw over 22m for the first time with a PB of 22.64. F45 Linsey Hutchins competed in the discus, hammer and javelin throwing 16.12, 19.62 and 19.82 respectively.

Sam Northen’s season has gotten off to a brilliant start and he was able to add another 2cm to his javelin PB with a superb best of 53.36. U17 Melissa Watson is new to athletics with 202s being her first ever season, but the Harrier has already impressed with a PB of 30.90 in the javelin to move into the top 50 in the UK rankings. U20 Mimi Davis achieved her second ever over 37m throw with a best of 37.57 to solidify her 12th place UK ranking.