English U15/U17 Championships

09 August 2021

Whilst the Olympics took place in Tokyo, Great Britain’s future Olympians were competing at the English U15 and U17 Championships in Manchester. Kiya Dee is no stranger to the podium and has made a name for herself over the years winning many English Cross Country titles, but, despite some impressive PBs, was yet to repeat the feat on the track. Dee was entered in the 1500m steeplechase having competed in the event for the first time just a few weeks before. Having dropped back from the leaders with 200m to go it was looking like Dee was going to take home the bronze, however Dee’s talent was undeniable as she cleared the final two barriers with ease to fly past her rivals and take home a well deserved gold medal beating her own club record by 14 seconds, crossing the line in 4:56.74. The performance ranks her 2nd in the UK U17 rankings, 6th out of all females in the UK this year and 7th on the UK U17 all time list. All this in just her second ever steeplechase race!

(Photo: Kiya Dee collecting her gold medal)

Jess Duncton was also competing over hurdles, the English Schools silver medallist was competing over 80m in Manchester. Duncton navigated the heats with ease, cruising across the line in 1st place in 11.46. Dealing with nerves and keeping calm between rounds is a challenge for even the most experienced of athletes but Duncton was able to do this brilliantly to produce a fantastic race in the final. Three athletes pulled clear of the field and, hurdling well, Duncton finished an amazing 3rd, just 0.03 seconds behind 2nd place. Duncton improved her time from the heats as well, finishing in 11.39, her 3rd quickest time ever and quicker than any other Harrier has run over the distance. Duncton has had a brilliant season so far all in her first year in the age group.

(Photo: Jess Duncton flying to bronze)
Both athletes performed superbly and displayed their talent and potential for their respective events, doing the club extremely proud. We look forward to seeing what they do next!

Last Saturday, 31st July, Annabel Moloney won the Worcestershire County Championships shot put with a throw of 11.80, just 3cm off her SB. On the 3rd of August Sam Griffiths competed at the Kettering Open. Griffiths ran her 2nd quickest 100m ever, coming a close 2nd in 11.99, sadly just over the legal wind limit. Griffiths also competed in the 200m where she finished in 25.74. On Friday evening 4 athletics took part in The Cranham Chase, 5.6miles, took place mostly on roads with some tough hills to contend with. Martin Foster led the Harriers home in a brilliant 6th (2nd M45) place finishing in 35:10. Foster was just ahead of Elliot Prince who came home I. 35:19 for 7th. Paul Barnes ran well to finish 26th overall in 43:12. Milly Foster also took on the tough race, running incredibly well to finish as 1st U15, U17 and U20 and 2nd senior lady in 51:08.