Bolarwinwa and Lacy prove class on national stage

AAA Junior Championships
David Bolarinwa once again proved he is in a class of his own in the UK winning both the U17 60m and 200m titles at this year’s national championships in Birmingham.

Not only did he win both events with ease but his times of 6.81 and 21.59 have placed him second and third respectively on the UK all time lists. The only athlete to have ever run faster than him over 60m is Mark Lewis Francis whilst over 200m only Tim Benjamin and Chris Clarke have ever run faster at his age

Gabriella Ade Onojobi set a pb in the 60m Hurdles for U20 women and made the final though her time there was slightly slower and she finished 8th.

Joe Berth Jones nearly made the final of the Under 17 boys 60m to keep David company but fifth place in the semi final was not quite fast enough to qualify. His heat time however of 7.26 was a big improvement of his pb that stood at 7.43 before the weekend. The bad news for Joe was that his semi-final run resulted in a torn hip flexor.

Charlie Perry ran a new pb as well with a time of 8.64 in the U17 boys 60m Hurdles but was not quite quick enough to qualify for the final

Nigel Munjoma came away with a seasons best of 6.28m in the U20 long jump., to back up his silver medal in the Kent indoor champs.

English National Cross Country Championships, Leeds
A handful of Cambridge Harriers made the trip to Roundhay Park, Leeds, for this years National Cross Country Championships.

Dean Lacy went into the race on the muddy and hilly course in good form an didn't disappoint.

Starting the 12k race a little fast, he came through the first of three laps in 17th position in the strong field of 1500 runners.

After steadying the pace, he put in a sprint finish to earn 21st spot in 40:12. The result is evidence of how Dean has imporved in the last year where he gained 64th position in this event in 2009.

The only other senior man for Cambridge Harriers in one of the most exciting events of the season was Mark Newell, who plugged away through the muddy conditions to finish in 66:34, (1357)

All three junior men not only made their National Championships debut, but also at the 10km distance.

Looking forward to the challenge the trio, fresh from their bronze team medal at the Kent Championships, arrived in good spirits.

Rob and Alisdair McDonald went in to the race on the back of a good cross country season, and ran with confidence. Rob jostled for position throughout the race and finished the tricky 10k in 39:52 for 139th spot among the 204 runners. Alisdair followed just over a minute later in 40:58 (161), working hard yet managing to look comfotable after a sprint to the line.

Lee Gambanga dug in hard to put in a spirited performance in tough conditions. In only his third ever cross country race, the long jumper who looked to build strength over the winter, struggled with a back injury half way through the race. Pulling out was not an option, as Lee wished to continue saying afterwards that he was not going to travel all the way to Leeds to let the inury stop him! Lee brought up the field in 55:00 minutes, crossing the finsh line to the applause of an appreciative crowd.

An excellent day was had by all and with many stiff limbs in the minibus on the way home. It is hoped that there will be enough interest in the pinnacle race of the club cross country season for Cambridge Harriers to field teams in the National Championships at Alton Towers in 2011.

Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon
Several Cambridgeites took part in a soggy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon with the first three home racing in preparation for the London Maathon. The finishers were:

Bruce Sandell 1:32:49 (128)
Alex Hall 1:34:52 (208)
Pat Austin 1:49:55 (752)
Jacqueline Shepherd 2:08:33 (1382)
Tony Newton 2:13:57 (1506)

The Men's team were 19th overall from 41 teams and there were 1792 finishers.

SCVA Inddor Meeting
Ray Daniels and Paul Kent continued to prepare for the track and field season competing in last weeks SCVAC Inddor meeting.

Both running in the 800m, Ray finished in a tme of 2:17.5 while Paul ran 2:26.

Inter University Match
Joe Durrant stepped in at the last minute for his university at an indoor meeting on Wednesday to win the 1500m in 3m 53. The time is marginally outside his personal best both indoors or out.

Running and Life podcast
Episode 4 of club member, Kevin White's podcast on the world of running, Running and Life is now available for free from itunes or by going to the website at www.runningandlife.co.uk.