Report from NMAC president, members results and achievements
The European Masters Indoors Athletics Championships were held between 17th and 24th March in Torun, Poland. This beautiful city has been the venue before and is well liked by athletes because of its attractiveness and the organising committee ‘s ability to deliver a great Championships.
Northern Masters was well represented across the full spectrum of events- indoor events plus long throws, road and cross country running outside.
We had 14 medallists who gained 22 medals and many people producing seasons or age group personal bests. A lot of people made finals, a couple of British records were beaten and several NMAC ones too.
The most prolific medallist was Nia Rutter W35 who amassed 7 medals, 2 gold (Pentathlon in a NMAC record of 3656 points and 60m hurdles in 9.36, 9.22 in Pentathlon), 4 silvers (W35 High Jump 1.55m, Triple Jump 11.55m NMAC record, 4x200m relay and 4×200 mixed relay in a British record) and 1 bronze in the shot put 11.41.
A truly outstanding achievement, supported hugely by husband Jon who also competed really well.
Another athlete who was very busy running many heats and finals and doing superbly was ex-international Tony O’Brien. He won the M50 3000m in 9:03.69, got silver in the 1500m in 4:21.49 and was 4th in the 800m in 2:05.77.
Rick Beardsell also gained a gold and silver, in the M45 400m and 200m (23.08) respectively. The 400m was a wonderful indoor British record of 50.76. It is particularly great to see Rick back to running so well after serious health issues and injury.
Silver medals were gained by 2 high jumpers, Steve Linsell M60 (1.60) and Andrew England M50 (1.60). Steve also gained a 9th place in the Weight Throw (15.00m), quite an interesting combination of events!
Another always consistent jumper is Julien Gittens M60, who once again medalled- a bronze in the Triple Jump with 11.15, a season’s best.
Steve Taylor M65 had a fantastic Championships. A season’s best in the 3000m, 8th in 11:22.71, a massive NMAC record, 4th in the 800 in 2:31.39 and a bronze medal in the 1500m in 5:05.53.
A gold relay medal was achieved by Hilary West W65 in the 4x200m.
Hilary also had a very good Champs, recording her best times for 3 years in all her events. 6th in the 400m final (78.51, 78.10 in the heats), 34.99 in the 200m heats and 6th in the 800m finals in 3:09.21. Superb.
Other relay medals were silvers for Mike Coogan M50 4x200m and Caroline Marler 70 4x200m mixed and bronzes for Leeroy Golding and Gary Clare in M55 4x200m.
Also relay medals for Andy Hunter in M60 4x200m mixed and Julie Hicken W60 4x200m.
We had a lot of 4th positions, sometimes regarded as an unfortunate placing but if you do a good personal performance, I think it is brilliant.
Apart from those already mentioned above, the following were 4th placers-
Jon Rutter W40 Triple Jump (11.56m) and he placed a very good 9th in the Pentathlon with 2682 points, a personal best.
Leeroy Golding M55 Discus (35.83m, an age group best by 5 m). He just missed progressing from the 400m heats with 60.94)
Lisa Gawthorne, coached by Tony O’Brien had a great Champs, coming 4th in 1500m in 5:06.34, 5th in the 3000m in 10:44.19 and 8th in the 800m in 2:31.53, all season’s bests by a big margin. Someone to watch in the future.
The strong sprinter Mike Coogan got 4th in the M50 200m in 23.86 from tricky lane 3.
Also 4th, Caroline Marler, W70 Shot (8.19 NMAC record) and Javelin (20.02, NMAC record) and a 6th in 200m final (season’s best of 36.62 in the semi.)
Alan Appleby came 4th in the M75 Cross Country and 5th in the 3000m in 13:44.51.
Many other so far unmentioned NMAC athletes made finals which is a great achievement at such a high standard event.
Julie Hicken W60 came 5th in her 200m final in 31.39, getting very close to the long standing NMAC record of Averil McCelland.
Hazel Barker W60 came 5th in the Discus with 22.67m, her best throw for 2 years. Her shot put (8.31m) got her 7th position and was also her best for a while.
Naana Adusei W40 came 7th in the 60m final in 8.44(8.35 in the heats), her best time for 4 years.
Jed Turner came 9th in M65 800m (running 2:22.83 in the heats)
Steve Hallas came 10th in M50 3000m in 10:10.20, 14th in the 8km cross country and got a team Bronze medal. He also competed in the 1500m and came 13th with a SB of 4.46
Season’s bests were achieved by Simon Owens M55 getting into the semis of 60m (7.85) and Gary Clare M55 200m (26.50), reaching the semis too.
Caroline Marler achieved a season’s best in 60m heats (10.65).
Andy Parker M45 made it into the second round of the 400m in 55.04.
Out on the Cross Country we were represented, apart from Alan Appleby already mentioned, by Steve Hallas (16th), Wendy Doxey(11th), Steve Doxey (20th) and Kevin Dillon (16th).
Kevin Dillon, unsure whether to commit to the whole marathon distance, did complete it, in a respectable 4:18:20.