IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships

Aspire Dome, Doha, Qatar

Saturday 13th March 2010 – Day 2 Afternoon Session

DWAIN Chambers improved on his silver medal two-years-ago in Valencia to win global gold at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha.

Chambers representing Great Britain clocked the fastest time in the world this year to power clear of American Mike Rodgers clocking 6.48secs as Daniel Bailey of Antigua secured bronze in 6.57.

Chambers becomes the second British athlete to win the 60m title following Jason Gardener’s victory in Budapest 2004.

Earlier Ireland's Loughborough-based David Gillick finished a disappointing fifth in the final of the 400m.

The Dublin athlete was well placed to attack the front in the latter stages of the race, but he seemed to be blocked off by American Bershawn Jackson, which cost Gillick vital momentum and was later disqualified.

Chris Brown from the Bahamas moved ahead to take the gold medal in 45.96secs, with Cuba's William Collazo claiming silver and American Jamaal Torrance bronze.

American Debbie Dunn won the women’s 400m in 51.04secs as Jamaica's Novlene Williams-Mills stumbled off the track early on in a slight clash with Tatyana Firova, however, the Russian went on to claim silver a full 1.07 seconds behind.

In the women's 60m hurdles, American Lolo Jones stormed to victory defending her title in 7.72secs - the third fastest time in history. Canadian rivals Perdita Felicien and Priscilla Lopes-Schliep finished second and third respectively.

World record-holder Meseret Defar was in top form and a class apart of her rivals when winning a fourth consecutive 3,000m title as the Ethiopian crossed the line in a time of eight minutes 51.17 seconds.

Defar, finished ahead of Kenya's world 5,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot and compatriot Sentayehu Ejigu.

Australian Steve Hooker won the pole vault with championship record of 6.01m, as Christian Cantwell representing the USA took the shot put with a best effort 21.83m. Great Britain's Steve Lewis finished for equal sixth with 5.45m.

American Bryan Clay was an impressive winner of the heptathlon, whilst, Blanka Vlasic underlined her pre-championships favourite tag to win the women’s the high jump global title for the second time with a clearance of 2.00m.

Fabrice Lapierre representing Australia’s won a second gold medal for his country prevailing in the long jump with a leap of 8.17m ahead of defending champion Godfrey Mokoena (8.08m) and Mitchell Watt (8.05m).

Full results are available on the following link: www.iaaf.org/WIC10/results/eventCode=4144/index.html

IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships

Aspire Dome, Doha, Qatar

Saturday 13th March 2010 – Day 2 Morning Session

GREAT Britain's golden girl Jessica Ennis made an impressive start in her quest to claim the World Indoor pentathlon title in Doha by winning the opening two events at the Aspire Dome in Doha.

Ennis chasing the indoor title to add to her success in Berlin last summer where the 24-year-old Sheffield athlete claimed gold in the heptathlon won the 60 metres hurdles in a time of 8.04 seconds to lead by 36 points from Hyleas Fountain.

Ennis extended her lead to 75 points over her American rival as the United Kingdom record-holder became the only athlete to clear 1.90m in the high jump.

Ennis's other main rivals for gold in Doha, Olympic heptathlon champion Nataliya Dobrynska of the Ukraine and Tatyana Chernova representing Russia finished in third and fourth places respectively after two events adrift of the Brit.

Ennis commented afterwards: "I did not know it was the fastest ever at the World Indoors,

"The first event is always important and I'm glad it was a really good time."

In the shot put, Ennis's weakest event, Dobrynska threw 16.43m to take the lead ahead of the Brit's first effort of 13.03m, however, Ennis then followed that with a personal best of 14.01m to restore her advantage.

Ennis at the end of the morning's competition held a narrow lead of 18 points ahead of Dobrynska and a 72-point advantage over Fountain.

In the men’s 800m Britain’s indoor champion Andrew Osagie was edged out of the final by Olympic silver medallist Ahmed Ismail of Sudan over the line with Osagie clocking 1:51.29.

Great Britain’s 4x400m squad of Conrad Williams, Nigel Levine, Luke Ford and Loughborough College student Chris Clarke qualified through to the final as fastest losers with a time of 3:09.59.

The USA team led by reigning world outdoor 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement were the top qualifiers looking very impressive.

Full results are available on the following link: www.iaaf.org/WIC10/results/eventCode=4144/index.html

IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships

Aspire Dome, Doha, Qatar

Friday 12th March 2010 – Day 1 Afternoon Session

DWAIN Chambers sent his rivals an early warning that he will be the athlete to beat when powering to victory in his 60 metres heat at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha.

The 31-year-old is tipped for gold with the world number one American Ivory Williams banned for a drug offence just before the championships began.

Chambers, who shared the silver medal in Valencia two years ago, is determined to better that performance and become the first British athlete to win the title since Jason Gardener in Birmingham 2003 and the Belgrave Harrier looked impressive easing down in the final 10 metres to record a time of 6.59secs.

“It is good to be here.” Chambers commented: “I have come here to qualify, so it was my main objective. There are still 2 runs to go, so I have to stay focused. So far, it was going good. I feel 2 years wiser. I am excited about the next race,

“I was nervous before the start because I did not know the guys very well. I did not show 100 percent of me. It is not about doing big things in the heats but in the final. Now I will relax little bit and socializing with my team mates to stay relaxed.”

Former world junior 100m champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey made the semi-finals finishing third in his race as the Loughborough College student clocked a time of 6.72secs.

In the women’s 60m heats, Joice Maduaka, the UK indoor champion progressed into the semi-finals with a time of 7.46secs.

Loughborough Alumni David Gillick remains on target to win the 400 metres title, despite nearly falling when the Irishman cut in and tried to take the lead ahead of American Bershawn Jackson.

The US champion repelled Gillick's strong challenge and the Irish star had to quickly regain his balance.

Gillick, who fell at last year's European Indoors and missed out on a third title, battled bravely to reassert himself and was closing Jackson down quickly towards the finish, however, the former world 400m hurdles bronze medallist maintained his momentum to win by just 0.02 seconds in 46.13secs.

Gillick reflected: “I'm a little frustrated because I wanted the best position to get the best possible lane, but I was chopped at 200m and almost came to a halt before I could start running again. In the final, I'll try to be maybe a little more patient but if there's a gap, I'll still likely go for it because this is often where races are won or lost.”

Great Britain’s Richard Buck failed to come through the 400m semis after impressing in the earlier heats.

Fellow Loughborough athlete Charlotte Best on her Team GB lined up in heat two of the women’s 1500m running towards the back of the closely packed field as they went through the first few laps and avoided being tripped when Ethiopian Kalkidan Gezahegne fell to the track at the 800m point.

Gezahegne made a remarkable recovery to win the heat in 4:08.91with Best finishing eighth in 4:16.40. Compatriot Helen Clitheroe edged through her heat as a fastest loser in fourth place with a time of 4:13.97.

There was disappointment for Beijing Olympian Barbara Parker in the 3,000m where the California-based athlete was edged into fourth place clocking 9:01.52 to miss out on qualification by the fast finishing Rene Kalmer of South Africa.

Top qualifier was Ethiopia’s impressive Meseret Defar chasing her fourth world indoor title as the 26-year-old, the Olympic 5,000m gold medallist in Athens 2004, eased through in 8:48.23 minutes as Great Britain’s Gemma Turtle finished 11th in 9:17.55.

Scott Overall in the men’s 3,000m clocked a time of time 8:08.02 to finish in eighth place as American Bernard Lagat won with a season’s best of 87:59.99.

Loughborough graduate Samson Oni qualified in pool A of the men’s high jump competition, however, team mate Tom Parsons was eliminated on countback despite both athletes achieving the same heights of 2.26m.

There was further disappointment for Britain's two long jumpers, with neither Chris Tomlinson and Greg Rutherford making the final.

In the women’s pole vault there was almost a big shock for Yelena Isinbayeva, looking for a fourth successive pole vault title, when the Russian needed a third and final leap at 4.60m to finally come through qualifying.

British indoor and outdoor record-holder Kate Dennison failed to qualify following a disappointing performance considering her recent form and new indoor personal best of 4.60m set at the Aviva Grand Prix. The Loughborough athlete reached 4.20m, 4.35m but fail three times at 4.45m.

Full results are available on the following link: www.iaaf.org/WIC10/results/eventCode=4144/index.html

IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships

Aspire Dome, Doha, Qatar

Friday 12th March 2010 – Day 1 Morning Session

JENNY Meadows laid down a marker to the rest of the world as the British number one rocketed into the final of the 800m at the World Indoor Athletics Championship with a superb performance in Doha to highlight the opening morning’s action for Greta Britain.

Meadows, the world 800m bronze medallist racing in the second heat of qualifying clocked a time of 2mins 39secs to set the fastest time and ease into Sunday's final.

Having smashed Dame Kelly Holmes seven-year-old British record at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham last month the 28-year-old Wigan athlete flew around the multi-coloured track in the Aspire Dome leading from the front to clock her second-fastest time of the season.

Meadows, the British team captain, commented: “It was good to finish first, get in the front and stay out of trouble. I’ve got two and a half days now to put my feet up and get set up for the final. I did have nerves but last year helps me rise above that now. I was fully expected to qualify and I did.”

Meadows compatriot, Vicky Griffiths, on her senior international debut finished seventh in her heat in a time of 2:04.90 in the race won by American Anna Pierce (2:03.05).

Andrew Osagie also making his Team GB debut qualified through to the 800m semi-finals as the UK champion finished second with a personal best of 1:47.40 as Olympic silver-medallist Ahmad Ismail of Sudan won in 1:46.69.

Ed Aston failed to make the semi’s when finishing seventh in his race as he clocked 1:50.32.

In the men’s 400m qualifying heats Ireland’s David Gillick, looking to add world gold to his two European indoor titles, was also in impressive form clocking a time of 46.72secs to win his heat ahead of Jamaica's Ricardo Chambers and William Collazo of Cuba.

“At the World Championships it is always a tough one, especially in the morning session,” Gillick said. “My goal was a top-two and to control the race, coming from the last bend everyone had to get out a little bit as we were caught off by surprise by a pole that was sticking out. Hopefully I've earned an outside lane for the evening.”

Fellow Loughborough-based sprinter, Great Britain's Richard Buck, qualified through to the semi-finals finishing third behind the impressive American Bershawn Jackson and Nerv Brenes of Costa Rica in 47.02secs securing a fastest loser position.

Compatriot Dale Garland clocked 48.26 in his heat to finish fourth missing out on qualification.

Loughborough-based Steve Lewis qualified with a last throw of the dice to with the bar at 5.60m in the men’s pole vault.
Lewis had five failures in his eight attempts as the Commonwealth bronze medallist was one of five British athletes to progress through their preliminary rounds.

Carl Myerscough qualified for the final of the Men’s shot with a best throw of 20.44m, comfortably inside the 20.30m qualification mark.

In the women’s high jump qualification pool Great Britain's Vikki Hubbard could only manage a best clearance of 1.85m, well down on her season's best of 1.92m.

Full results are available on the following link: www.iaaf.org/WIC10/results/eventCode=4144/index.html

Saturday 6th March 2010

COMMONWEALTH bronze medallist Steve Lewis once again showed solid form in his final competition ahead of next weekend’s Doha IAAF World Indoor Championships as the 24-year-old Loughborough-based UK title-holder finished in second place with a season’s best of 5.72 metres where Poland’s Przemyslaw Czerwinski claimed a surprise victory setting a new lifetime mark of 5.82m at the Donetsk Pole Vault Stars meeting.

In the women’s event Russia’s double Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva won the competition ahead of Brazil’s Fabiana Murer equalling her own 2010 world-leading mark of 4.85m before failing to break her own world record of 5.00m with three decent efforts.

Murer claimed second with a height of 4.40m as Britain’s UK record-holder Kate Dennison finished in 8th place with a best of 4.50m.
Full Results:
Men
1. Przemislav Czerwinski, POL 5.82
2. Steven Lewis, GBR 5.72
3. Denys Yurchenko, UKR 5.72
4. Dmitriy Starodubtsev, RUS 5.62
5. Lukasz Michalski, POL 5.62
6. Sergey Kucheryanu, RUS 5.62
7. Aleksandr Gripich, RUS 5.62
8. Derek Miles, USA 5.52
9. Maksym Mazuryk, UKR 5.52
10. Tim Mack, USA 5.42
Women
1. Yelena Isinbaeva, RUS 4.85
2. Fabiana Murer, BRA 4.70
3. Monika Pyrek, POL 4.60
4. Alexandra Kiryashova, RUS 4.60
5. Yuliya Golubchikova, RUS 4.60
6. Tatyana Polnova, RUS 4.60
7. Jirina Ptacnikova, CZE 4.60
8. Caroline Hingst, GER 4.50
9. Kate Dennison, GBR 4.50
9. Chelsea Johnson, USA 4.50
11. Nicole Buchler, SUI 4.35
11. Kristina Gadschiew, GER 4.35

Wednesday 3rd March 2010

LOUGHBOROUGH-based pole vaulters Steve Lewis and Kate Dennison showed top form in their final preparations for the World Indoor Championships on Tuesday evening.

Lewis produced a season's best of 5.71 metres to tie for first place with European indoor champion Renaud Lavillenie of France at the Paris-Charlety meeting.

Dennison, who has improved her UK indoor record three times this year, won the women's competition with a vault of 4.56m, four centimetres below the latest national mark she set at the recent Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham.

Sunday 21st February 2010

UK champion Vikki Hubbard set a superb personal best at the Slobodna Dalmacija Women’s High Jump Meeting in Split, Croatia, to hit the qualification mark for next months Doha World Indoor Championships.

On the infield of the Spaladium Arena, Loughborough-based Hubbard (Birchfield Harriers) improved her lifetime best by a margin of three centimetres to finish fourth on countback to Sweden’s Emma Green as home athlete and reigning World champion Blanka Vlasic dazzled the 11,000 assembled crowd with a stunning performance clearing 2.03m to secure victory followed by three solid attempts at Kajsa Bergqvist’s global record of 2.08m.

Russian Svetlana Shkolina, the former World youth and World junior medallist cleared 1.97m taking second ahead of Green and Hubbard.

Full results are available on the following link: www.has.hr/images/stories/HAS/split/index.htm

Aviva IAAF Indoor Grand Prix

NIA, Birmingham

Saturday 20th February 2010

JENNY Meadows (800m) and Kate Dennison (pole vault) re-wrote the UK record books as Ireland’s David Gillick (400m) in sparkling form equalling his own national record, whilst, Ethiopia’s Kalkidan Gezahegn lowered the world junior record over the mile to highlight a dazzling afternoon’s action at the Aviva Indoor Grand Prix.

In front of a packed crowd at Birmingham’s NIA, the venue for the 2003 world and 2007 European championships - rated by many as the fastest indoor track in the world - global bronze medallist Jenny Meadows clocked a time of one minute 59.11 seconds to win the 800m and in the process slice a tenth of a second off the British indoor record set by Kelly Holmes in Belgium back in 2003 to collect the bonus of $5,000 on offer by the meeting promoters, plus a further $1500 for the performance of the day award.

A delighted Meadows commented: “I knew I was in shape, it’s amazing to re-write the record books. My training partner was pacing the race and I felt so good in early in the race that I wanted to pass her!

“But I thought-I can’t, that’s too cheeky! - so I waited and made my move on the third lap and it felt so good, I wanted to push it on and thought that I wanted to win the race.”

She continued: “Of course I am happy with the British record. I wish I had run 1.58 but I am never happy, I always want more.”

Compatriot Vicky Griffiths clocked a respectable 2:02.44 to secure third place behind World University Games champion Yuliya Krevsun of the Ukraine. Loughborough student Dani Christmas finished 6th in 2:05.92.

Loughborough-based Kate Dennison for the third time this year improved her own British record in the pole vault by clearing 4.60m, an improvement of three centimetres. Brazil's Fabiana Murer won also with an impressive national record of 4.82m.

Gelete Burka won the women's mile in a world-leading time of 4:23.53, but was way outside Romanian Doina Melinte's 20-year-old world record of 4:17.14.

Kakedan Gezahegn made it a one-two for Ethiopia, overtaking Bahrain's world 1,500 metres champion Maryam Jamal in the final 200 metres to set a new global junior record for the distance.

Burka said afterwards: “I am very happy with my performance, it was very nice to be here and see the people of Birmingham. They are lovely and I always enjoy running here. It was and I look forward to my next race."

Brit's Helen Clitheroe (4:29.46) and Charlotte Best (4:32.29) finished in 7th and 9th places respectively with new indoor lifetime bests.

Twice European champion (2005) and (2007) David Gillick was in superb form in the men’s 400m as the 27-year-old Loughborough graduate powered to a stunning victory equalling his Irish national record of 45.52secs in his first race of 2010 taking victory ahead of Sudanese Rabah Yousif (45.52).

Gillick said: "It's my first race of the year and it was tough but it's a fast track and it's not often we get to run in such a stadium in front of such a crowd. I won the European Indoors here in exactly the same time so it's a pity I couldn't dip and break my record."

Fellow Loughborough-based athlete Richard Buck, the three-time UK indoor champion, finished third in a season’s best of 46.52.

In the women’s 400m UK champion and Loughborough University graduate Kim Wall faced the Caribbean duo of world outdoor bronze medallist Novlene Williams-Miles representing Jamaica and world silver medallist Christine Amertil of the Bahamas over the two-lap event.

Wall gave a very good account of herself as the 26-year-old Basildon athlete matched the world number one stride for stride over the opening lap before fading to fifth place as Williams-Miles prevailed in 52.03secs with Doha-bound Wall clocking 53.35.

Williams-Miles commented: “It went pretty well, I was hoping for a faster time but I can’t complain. God has blessed me in so many ways, to come here and have a good race. I’ve only compete twice in the indoors, I was planning to do more races indoor but you know I’m happy with how it went.

“I’m pretty confident for Doha, I’m just going to go home and get some more training in and take it from there. I like competing here, I like the track.”

Wall reflected: “I went off hard and then just died but I enjoyed it. The girls are pretty quick! I won the trials and got the qualification times so I’m looking forward to Doha.”

In the 60m sprints American Carmelita Jeter, finally had the better of her rival Laverne Jones-Ferrette of the US Virgin Islands.

Jeter, having been defeated by Laverne Jones-Ferrette in their last three meetings, narrowly claimed victory after both crossed the line in 7.06 seconds. Jeter, however, claimed the win on the photo-finish decision. Bahamian Chandra Sturrup was third in 7.20, whilst, Me’Lisa Barber finished 6th in 7.34.

American Michael Rodgers won the men’s event in 6.57secs ahead of Antiguan Daniel Bailey (6.59).

Nick Smith set a new Scottish national record of 6.60secs - surpassing the mark of Elliot Bunney (6.62) way back in 1987 - finishing ahead of Mark Lewis-Francis in fourth (6.61) and Loughborough-based Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in fifth (6.62).

In the qualifying heats Lewis-Francis finished third in the opening race in 6.64secs as Carter set a new lifetime best to win in 6.54, whilst, Aikines-Aryeetey (6.62) finishing runner-up to Rodgers (6.58) in the second heat with Craig Pickering and Scott equal third in 6.65.

Olympic champion hurdler Dayron Robles remains perfect in four races this season pulling away to take victory in 7.44 seconds. Petr Svoboda of the Czech Republic finished second in 7.57.

"That was very good for me today," the Cuban said. "I am getting better and better with every race and feeling very confident. I'm sure there is more to come. It's looking good."

Danielle Carruthers of the United States won the women’s 60 metre hurdles in 7.95 seconds, holding off Anay Tejeda of Cuba.

Over the men’s 3,000m Sammy Mutahi looked extremely impressive as the 20-year-old Kenyan came storming home with a powerful final 150 metre burst taking victory in a time of 7mins 44.50secs to claim his second victory on UK soil this winter having won at the Glasgow international back in January adding to his Stuttgart and Stockholm wins.

Mutahi delighted with his win said: “That was a good run and I’m very happy to win today. My friend set a good pace and I was able to stay with him and be strong at the end. I wanted to run a bit quicker but I’m glad to have won the race. Now I look forward to the rest of the season.”

Ethiopia’s Dejene Gebremeskel clocked a lifetime best to take second in 7:45.42 with double world champion and steeplechase record-holder Siaf Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar third (7:46.97).

The British duo of Andy Vernon and Scott Overall produced spirited performances to go under the Doha qualification time finishing 6th and 7th respectively with personal best of 7:49.84 and 7:50.66.

Following the race Vernon - the UK champion over the distance in Sheffield - was still uncertain as to whether he will take the opportunity to go to the world indoors or race in the USA.

Vernon commented: “About Doha, I just think that some long cross country races will be better preparation for a big 10k race than running indoors when I will have to take five days out of training and I might make the final, I might not. I don’t want to go out there for one 3k and waste five days of training.”

In the 800m Brit’s Andrew Osagie and Ed Aston both achieved Doha qualifying standard with personal bests of 1:47.71 and 1:48.24 respectively to finish third and fifth behind winner Marcin Lewandowski of Poland.

World indoor champion Deresse Mekonnen had the better of Kenya's Augustine Choge in the men's 1500 metres, winning in 3:33.10. American Bernard Lagat, who won a record eighth Wanamaker Mile title last month In New York, finished fourth.

The women’s two-mile race failed to deliver the promised world record but did provide a great sprint finish for the crowd as Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba edged out Kenya’s Vivien Cheruiyot 9:12.23 to 9:12.35.

Dibaba commented: “I’m happy to win and glad to do well in this competition. I love to run in England”

California based Beijing Olympian Barbara Parker, a former Loughborough College student, finished sixth in 9:35.83.

World champion Phillips Idowu had to settle for fourth place in the triple jump, but the 31-year-old was fairly satisfied with a season's best of 17.25m, just seven centimetres behind winner Christian Olsson, Sweden’s former Olympic champion, the only one of his nations ‘golden generation’ still competing here making a comeback after several years of injury problems.

"I'm not too concerned," said Idowu, who will defend his world indoor title in Doha next month. "Christian is another competitor to beat and I went into Valencia showing similar form two years ago."

Olympic finalist Tom Parsons achieved the qualifying height for Doha in the high jump, clearing 2.28m with his first attempt finishing third on countback to Loughborough University graduate Samson Oni, with world champion Yaroslav Rybakov taking victory with a clearance of 2.31m.

Parsons said: "It's nice to finally get the qualifying height, I'd entered an open meeting tomorrow just in case but thankfully I don't need to jump now."

In the women’s long jump Portugal’s Naide Gomes took the victory with 6.69m, UK indoor champion Amy Woodman finished seventh with 6.18m.

The 2007 world youth champion Chris Clarke won the opening race of the afternoon’s programme featuring a national 400m field as the 20-year-old Milton Keynes athlete looked impressive producing the fastest time in the UK surpassing Richard Buck’s time of 47.19 set at the UK Championships the previous week in Sheffield completing a gun-to-tape victory in 47.14secs – this after surviving a stewards enquiry where he was first disqualified and then reinstated.

Loughborough student Clarke commented: “I have not raced indoors since 2008- so did not know what to expect- it was a PB so I am pleased with that. My coach told me to get to the front so I did my job and held on. A lot of people came to see me today so I am happy to win for them.”

Report from Birmingham by Mark Woolley.

Full results are available on the following link: www.uka.org.uk/results/20100220_Birmingham/timetable/index/index.html

2010 Aviva Indoor World Trials and UK Championships

EIS Arena, Sheffield

Sunday 14th February 2010 – Day 2

A total of six Loughborough athletes claimed national titles on the second day of competition at the Aviva Indoor World Trials and UK Championships as Leon Baptiste (200m), Richard Buck (400m), Steve Lewis (Pole Vault), Samson Oni (High Jump), Mark Edwards (Shot) and Kim Wall (400m) all prevailed in their respective events on the track and infield of Sheffield’s EIS Arena.

Leon Baptiste led the way clocking an impressive lifetime best and European lead for this year in taking the 200m title which underlined his strong indoor form in 2010 with a time of 20.90secs which also secured the 25-year-old a $1500 cheque for the day’s best performance.

Over the two lap sprint, Richard Buck, having relocated to Loughborough last summer, claimed his third consecutive UK Indoor title following a tight and bumpy battle with Nigel Levine as Buck pulled clear over the final 30 metres to secure the win in 47:54secs.

In a high quality men’s pole vault competition there was a fifth successive title for Steve Lewis with a height of 5.56m, ahead of Andrew Sutcliffe and Luke Cutts tied on 5.36m.

The inform Samson Oni underlined his position at the top of the UK rankings by taking the high jump title ahead of Beijing Olympic finallist Tom Parsons on countback with a height of 2.25m at the first attempt. Fellow Loughborough Alumni Robbie Grabbarz secured third with 2.22m.

In the men’s shot put Mark Edwards threw 17.40m to take the UK indoor title ahead of Ryan Spencer Jones with 17.02m.

Back on the track in the women’s 400m Kim Wall returned to form to take the title ahead of Hayley Jones - this after fellow Loughborough Alumni Vicki Barr did not start the final. Wall looked impressive crossing the line in 53.07secs, a mark inside the Doha world indoor qualifying standard.

Other highlights included world bronze medallist Jenny Meadows recording a stadium record of two minutes 00.91 seconds to win the 800m. Loughborough student Dani Christmas claimed bronze with an indoor best of 2:05.15.

Helen Clitheroe led from start to finish to win the 1500m title in 4:13.90 and secure her place on the team for Doha.

Joice Maduaka made it a sprint double following her success in the 60m on Saturday, the 36-year-old winning the 200m in a season's best of 23.48.

The men's 1500m final which was won by Colin McCourt in 4:04.83, eight seconds slower than the previous slowest in championship history and more than 22 seconds outside the qualifying time.

Amy Woodman won the UK Indoor long jump title with 6.20m as Kelly Proper guesting from Ireland claimed the victory with a final round 6.48m.

The men’s triple jump was won by Tosin Oke guesting in the championships, but the UK title went to Nick Thomas with a leap of 16.22m.

Former World Indoor 60m hurdles champion Derval O’Rourke as a guest won the women’s event in 8.11, with the UK title going to Gemma Bennett in 8.20 ahead of Louise Hazel 8.27.

Highlights from the Aviva World Indoor Trials and UK Championships will be shown on Sunday 21st February on Channel 4 at 7.25am.

Full results are available on the following link: www.uka.org.uk/uka-major-events/2010/aviva-indoor-world-trials-and-uk-championships/

2010 Aviva Indoor World Trials and UK Championships

EIS Arena, Sheffield

Saturday 13th February 2010 – Day 1

CALLUM Priestley celebrated his 21st birthday in fine style with victory in the men’s 60m hurdles clocking a time of 7.69secs on the opening days action at the Aviva Indoor World Trials and UK Championships at Sheffield’s EIS Arena, finishing just 0.04 outside the qualifying standard for next months IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha.

The Leicester athlete commented afterwards: “I’m really pleased with that. I wanted to come and take the title and I was close to that qualifying standard. I hit a couple of hurdles as well so I know there’s more to come. I feel like the qualifying standard is in there and I think I can go to Birmingham next week and get it now."

Dwain Chambers confirmed his status as a genuine contender for the World indoor title by storming to the fastest time in the world this year over 60m clocking a time of 6.50secs to claim the title for the third year in succession ahead of Loughborough student Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Craig Pickering.

Aikines-Aryeetey set a new personal best of 6.55secs to qualify for the British team heading to Doha with Pickering clocking 6.66. Olympic relay gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis continuing his return to the sport following a long injury lay-off was fourth in 6.67.

Chambers won silver at the last World Indoor Championships in Valencia two years ago and is the reigning European champion after victory in Turin last year, where he set a new European record of 6.42 in the semi-finals.

Loughborough-based Kate Dennison won her fifth consecutive title in the pole vault before attempting to improve her own British record with three failures at 4.58m.

Vikki Hubbard missed out on the Doha qualifying standard of 1.92m when winning the women's high jump with a clearance of 1.87m.

Joice Maduaka won her sixth national title in the 60m courtesy of a powerful finish in a race that saw Ireland's Ailis McSweeney become the first athlete to be eliminated on the new zero-tolerance rule on false starts, whilst, Loughborough student Elaine O’Neill finished 7th in 7.59secs.

In the middle distance races the women’s 3000m final was won by Ireland’s Hazel Murphy in 9:02.06 with the UK title won by second placed Gemma Turtle (9:02.81) ahead of Loughborough student Emily Pidgeon (9:04.11). Loughborough Alumni Ava Hutchinson of Ireland set a new personal best to secure sixth place in 9:14.80.

The men’s final was won by cross-country specialist Andy Vernon in 8:00.70 with Loughborough-based Ryan McLeod 8th in 8:10.81 and the Owls Paul Miles 12th in 8:17.21.

Chris Tomlinson was denied a seventh long jump title as World Championship finalist Greg Rutherford won with a season's best of 7.94m, Tomlinson recording 7.75m.

In the women’s triple jump, Nadia Williams claimed the UK title with a leap of 13.41m finishing runner-up to Jamaica’s guest athlete Trecia Smith, winning the competition with 13.69m. Leicester’s Laura Samuel set a lifetime best of 12.42 to secure fifth place overall.

In the women’s shot put, Alison Rodger took the honours ahead of Sale clubmate and Loughborough graduate Rebecca Peake with a 16.02m effort to win the UK title.

World bronze medallist Jenny Meadows cruised into Sunday's final of the 800m, the World Championship bronze medallist leading from start to finish to win her heat.

Loughborough-based Richard Buck impressed in his heat and semi in the men’s 400m, leading the qualification for Sunday’s final in 47.59. In the women’s event Loughborough Alumni Kim Wall and Vicki Barr were the lead contenders in winning their heats.

Highlights from the Aviva World Indoor Trials and UK Championships will be shown on Sunday 21st February on Channel 4 at 7.25am.

Full results are available on the following link: www.uka.org.uk/uka-major-events/2010/aviva-indoor-world-trials-and-uk-championships/

Saturday 13th February 2010

WORLD 100 and 200 metres record-holder Usain Bolt clocked an impressive 45.87 seconds over 400 metres in his opening race of the season at the 6th Camperdown Classic at the National Stadium in Jamaica.

Running in lane four, the triple Olympic and World Championship gold medallist rushed into the lead by the 150-metre mark before moving away to win his heat by some 20 metres.

The 23-year-old sprinter was satisfied with the time and his execution in the race.

"I think I'm at the same place where I was last year, I haven't surpassed it in any way and I didn't feel the way I wanted to, but I feel pretty good as I got 45, so that's a good sign,

"My coach talked about me running the first 200 too hard, so I tried to pace myself very well and then I tried to just bring it home nice and smooth,

"From here, it's just back to training. I was supposed to do a next 400 next week, but I have some sponsorship duties, so I'll just continue training.”

Thursday 11th February 2010

WORLD triple jump champion Phillips Idowu had to settle for fourth place in a close competition at the GE Galan indoor meeting in Stockholm on Tuesday evening (10th February) with British compatriot, Loughborough University Sports scholar, Nathan Douglas sixth as Cuban Alexis Copello claimed victory.

Idowu competing on a raised jumping platform, which does not suit his technique, the reigning world indoor gold medallist took the lead in the second round with an effort of 17 metres and again bettered the qualifying distance for next month's championships in Doha with a leap of 16.96m.

However, with three fouls in the final rounds Cuban Alexis Copello who was third behind him at last summer's outdoor World Championships claimed victory with a leap of 17.23 on his final attempt.

Sweden’s former Olympic and world champion Christian Olsson finished second with a clearance of 17.07m as David Giralt, runner-up behind Idowu in Berlin last summer was third with a best effort of 17.06m.

Loughborough University Sports scholar Nathan Douglas, the 1996 Gothenburg European outdoor silver medallist, was sixth having cleared 16.49m.

After fractionally missing her 3,000m world record at the Sparkassen Cup in Stuttgart on Saturday, Meseret Defar was thwarted in her bid to lower the 5,000m mark she set on the same track in Stockholm a year ago.

The Ethiopian ran solo for the last six laps clocking a time of 14mins 24.79secs missing the record by just 0.42sec.

Full results are available on the following link: http://88.131.109.176/friidrott/Geg10/resultat.php

Thursday 11th February 2010

GREAT Britain’s Kate Dennison had to settle for sixth place as World champion Anna Rogowska improved her own Polish national record by vaulting 4.81m at the Pedro’s Cup meet in Bydgoszcz on Wednesday evening (10th February).

At the Luczniczka indoor stadium in a very high class competition with a field that could very well be the line-up for next month's world indoor championships in Doha, UK record-holder Dennison recorded a best of 4.51m to secure sixth position ahead of double global silver medallist Monika Pyrek.
Leading Results:
Women Pole Vault
1 Anna Rogowska (Poland) 4.81
 (National Record)
2 Fabiana Murer (Brazil) 4.71

3 Tatiana Połnowa (Poland) 4.61

4 Swietłana Fieofanowa (Poland) 4.61

5 Silke Spiegelburg (Germany) 4.61

6 Kate Dennison (Great Britain) 4.51

7 Monika Pyrek (Poland) 4.51

8 Anna Battke (Germany) 4.31

Saturday 6th February 2010

THE Reebok Indoor Games attracted a stellar line-up at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Massachusetts, where Great Britain’s Barbara Parker and Hannah England set well-deserved lifetime bests in the 3,000m.

Ethiopians ran 1-2 in a strong field, with world junior champ Kalkidan Gezahegn holding off Genzebe Dibaba and American Shannon Rowbury to win in 8mins 45.19secs.

Beijing Olympian and former Loughborough College student Parker (City of Norwich) clocked 8:52.90 to finish fourth as England (Oxford) fresh from her Millrose Games 1500m victory in New York the previous week, came home sixth in 8:56.72 with the duo were separated by American Sara Hall.

Other highlights included Bernard Lagat, the former world 5,000 metres champion, broke the American indoor record over the distance winning in a time of 13mins 11.50secs clear of the Ethiopian pair of Dejen Gebremeskel and Bekana Daba. This victory coming just eight days after he won his eighth title in the classic Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games.

New Zealand's Nick Willis in his first competitive mile in nearly a year, used a last-lap sprint to overhaul Will Leer and capture the mile run. Willis crossed the finish line in a world leading time of three minutes, 55.26, with American Leer second in 3:55.66.

Tirunesh Dibaba was a runaway winner of the women's 5,000m race in 14:44.53, but nowhere close to record pace.

Dibaba had set a world record of 14:27.42 on the same track in 2007, only to see countrywoman Meseret Defar lower it to 14:24.37 in Stockholm in 2009.

Dibaba is generally recognized as the greatest women's distance runner in track history. With no one to offer a serious threat, Sally Kipyego of Kenya was a distant second in 14:52.67 and just one other runner finished the race.

Jamaica's Kenia Sinclair surprised Americans Anna Pierce and Erin Donohue to win the 1,000 metres in 2:38.62.

Terrence Trammell, USA's two-time Olympic silver medalist, won the men's 60m hurdles in 7.49secs.

American Dee Dee Trotter won the women's 400 metres in 53.08secs over Kineke Alexander of St. Vincent's (53.54) and USA's Shareese Woods (53.57.)

Ivory Williams posted the best time in the world this year in winning the 60 metres in 6.51 seconds. Williams, who also won the event at the Millrose Games, took the lead from the start for a close victory over Michael Rodgers (6.53).
Leading Results:
Women 3,000m
1 Kalkidan Gezahegn (ETH) 8:46.19
2 Genzebe Dibaba (ETH) 8:47.01
3 Shannon Rowbury (USA) 8:47.18
4 Barbara Parker (GBR) 8:52.90
5 Sara Hall (USA) 8:55.17
6 Hannah England (GBR) 8:56.72
7 Desiree Davila (USA) 9:00.73
8 Frances Koons USA 9:02.75
9 Christin Wurth Thomas (USA) 9:04.75
10 Amy Mortimer (USA) 9:09.86
11 Lennie Waite (GBR) 9:18.76
DNF-Megan Metcalfe (CAN)
DNF-Julia Howard (CAN)

Full results are available on the following link: www.bostonindoorgames.com/events-results/

Thursday 4th February 2010

HELEN Clitheroe set the fastest time in Europe's this year with victory in the 1500 metres at the PSD Bank Meeting in Dusseldorf on Wednesday evening (3rd February).

Clitheroe, the British 3,000m steeplechase record-holder, held her form as the 36-year-old moved into the lead after pacemaker Tamara Tverdostup pulled out with 500m of the race remaining.

The former Commonwealth bronze medallist confidently continued to run at a brisk pace, winning in a time of four minutes 10.29 seconds to repeat the success she achieved at the German venue three years ago, this follows her victory over 3,000m at the Aviva international in Glasgow on Saturday.

Clitheroe commented afterwards: “This was my second race this year after the win on Saturday in Glasgow over 3,000m, this is a good start to the winter season, that was my first 1500m race since 2007.”

With the qualifying time for next month's World Indoor Championships achieved, Clitheroe now plans chasing a place in the British team at the distance rather than 3,000m at the Aviva World Trials in Sheffield.

Loughborough-based Steve Lewis finished 8th in the men’s pole vault with a best of 5.40m in the competition won by German Alexander Straub (5.70m).

Sarah Claxton, who finished fourth in Glasgow on Saturday and witnessed her United Kingdom 60m hurdles record to Jessica Ennis, finished sixth in her heat with 8.29secs.

Full results are available on the following link: www.leichtathletik.de/Dokumente/Live_Ticker/LT_77/index.html

Monday 1st February 2010

THE latest 2009/10 Loughborough Open Indoor Meeting was held at the Sebastian Coe UK Athletics High Performance Centre on Saturday 30th January.

There was selection of top performances despite the event clashing with the Glasgow Aviva International where GB's leading athletes were competing.

Meghan Beesley was in fine early season form winning the 60m hurdles as the 20-year-old Birchfield Harrier, a World Junior 400m hurdles bronze medallist, clocked 8.60secs to take victory ahead of fellow Loughborough students Gemma Werret (8.69) and Channel Islander Kylie Robilliard (8.89) - the full results of the meeting are listed below
Full Results:
Track
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 1
1 279 6 Chris Craig Sale Harriers 06.93
2 328 5 Francesco Garzia Notts AC 06.96
3 386 8 Paul Ogun Croydon Harriers 07.06
4 269 7 Andy Blow LSAC 07.07
5 288 3 Eldridge Phiri Tamworth 07.10
6 388 4 Phil Doorgachurn Cardiff 07.12
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 2
1 290 5 Elijah Skirvin (U20) Notts AC 07.06
2 392 4 Seun Marcus LSAC 07.20
3 391 8 Sean Vernon LSAC 07.20
4 377 7 Marcel Hodge (U20) LSAC 07.22
5 398 6 Tom Mosley (U20) Leeds City 07.25
6 292 3 Errol Houston (U20) Enfield & Harringay 07.43
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 3
1 342 5 Henry Richards Charnwood AC 07.22
2 395 3 Thomas Pegg City of Norwich 07.28
3 399 6 Will Green LSAC 07.30
4 282 8 Conor McLaughlan LSAC 07.32
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 4
1 368 5 Jim Tipper Telford AC 07.21
2 382 6 Oscar Ward LSAC 07.33
3 396 4 Tim Barton (M35) Charnwood AC 07.46
4 373 8 Justin Baxter Charnwood AC 07.47
5 384 7 Paul Goodall LSAC 07.48
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 5
1 352 6 Jackson M.Blyton Notts AC 07.44
2 390 4 Scott Wilson (U20) Charnwood AC 07.47
3 274 5 Aqueel Hassan (U20) Charnwood AC 07.52
4 337 7 Garth Durrans Orchard County AC 07.54
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 6
1 186 5 Abayomi Oladinni LSAC 07.35
2 370 6 Jon Baxter Cambridge & Coleridge AC 07.44
3 381 4 Oliver Knight LSAC 07.46
4 374 7 Kasim Adesanya Notts AC 07.47
5 401 3 James Eccles LSAC 07.54
6 394 8 Tamouy Black (U20) Enfield & Harringay 07.67
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 8
1 355 7 Jamie Vickery Blackburn Harriers 07.30
2 404 6 Ben Morris (U20) Leicester 07.32
3 332 4 Fraser Young LSAC 07.45
4 402 8 James So LSAC 07.50
5 383 5 Lionel Grelet Harrow AC 07.63
6 283 3 Dalton Powell (M45) Notts AC 07.69
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 9
1 182 5 Aaron Aplin Notts AC 07.48
2 343 6 Jack Mosley (U17) Leeds City 07.60
3 340 7 Gary Wong (U20) Corby AC 07.64
4 387 8 Peter Sserunkuma Notts AC 07.72
5 371 4 Joseph Williamson (U20) Charnwood AC 07.73
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 10
1 369 7 John Statham (M45) Charnwood AC 07.89
2 389 5 Raphael Smith (M40) Notts AC 07.91
3 393 6 Shaun Davey (M45) Notts AC 07.91
4 251 8 Alexander Macdonald (U17) Doncaster AC 08.01
5 220 4 Adrian James (M40) Kidderminster & Stourport 08.40
60m Senior Men 1st series Race 11
1 336 4 Garry Massey LSAC 07.35
2 403 8 Jonathan Moore LSAC 07.63
3 385 6 Paul Edwards (M50) Cannock & Stafford 08.34
60m Senior Women 1st Series Race 1
1 421 6 Meghan Beesley LSAC 07.65
2 422 5 Melinda Cooksey Birchfield 07.69
3 428 8 Anna Boyle Ballymena & Antrim 07.84
4 408 4 Mica Nottingham (U20) LSAC 07.89
5 411 7 Charnia Kirk Yate AC 07.96
60m Senior Women 1st Series Race 2
1 420 4 Laura Samuel Leicester 07.89
2 406 6 Kylie Robilliard LSAC 07.92
3 419 5 Laura McGawn RAF 07.98
4 407 8 Lauren Dewdney LSAC 08.05
5 410 7 Andrea Vinet LSAC 08.08
60m Senior Women 1st Series Race 3
1 417 6 Jor'dan McIntosh (U20) Charnwood AC 08.02
2 426 5 Sophie Croft (U20) Scunthorpe & District AC 08.14
3 413 4 Hannah Chrisp (U20) LSAC 08.31
4 414 8 Hannah Dunderdale (U17) Lincoln Wellington 08.33
5 412 7 Emily Wardle (U20) Charnwood AC 08.36
60m Senior Women 1st Series Race 4
1 460 3 Adele Clarke Un 08.25
2 409 5 Alessia Valente Notts AC 08.41
3 416 7 Jenny Heckford LSAC 08.44
4 423 6 Nicole Martin (U20) LSAC 08.56
5 418 4 Katie James LSAC 08.60
60m Hurdles Senior Men 1st Series
1 269 7 Andy Blow LSAC 08.36
2 429 6 Ben Gregory LSAC 08.67
3 381 8 Oliver Knight LSAC 08.83
DQ 458 5 Michael Holden LSAC
60m Hurdles Men Masters 1st Series
1 385 6 Paul Edwards (M50) Cannock & Stafford 09.73
2 430 4 Tony Wells (M60) Corby AC 09.78
60m Hurdles Senior Women 1st Series Race 1
1 410 6 Andrea Vinet LSAC 08.69
2 421 5 Meghan Beesley LSAC 08.71
3 432 7 Gemma Werret LSAC 08.80
DQ 406 8 Kylie Robilliard LSAC
60m Hurdles Senior Women 1st Series Race 2
1 433 7 Rebecca Liddell (U20) Gateshead 08.85
2 416 6 Jenny Heckford LSAC 09.33
3 414 4 Hannah Dunderdale (U17) Lincoln Wellington 09.61
DNF 431 8 Emma Bailey LSAC
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 1
1 279 5 Chris Craig Sale Harriers 06.88
2 328 6 Francesco Garzia Notts AC 06.90
3 386 7 Paul Ogun Croydon Harriers 07.01
4 290 4 Elijah Skirvin (U20) Notts AC 07.09
5 288 8 Eldridge Phiri Tamworth 07.12
DNS 269 3 Andy Blow LSAC
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 2
1 391 7 Sean Vernon LSAC 07.11
2 392 5 Seun Marcus LSAC 07.14
3 342 3 Henry Richards Charnwood AC 07.15
4 368 4 Jim Tipper Telford AC 07.22
5 377 8 Marcel Hodge (U20) LSAC 07.24
DNS 388 6 Phil Doorgachurn Cardiff
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 3
1 399 4 Will Green LSAC 07.24
2 395 5 Thomas Pegg City of Norwich 07.28
3 355 7 Jamie Vickery Blackburn Harriers 07.39
DNS 404 3 Ben Morris (U20) Leicester
DNS 398 6 Tom Mosley (U20) Leeds City
DNS 282 8 Conor McLaughlan LSAC
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 4
1 186 7 Abayomi Oladinni LSAC 07.33
2 382 6 Oscar Ward LSAC 07.35
3 370 4 Jon Baxter Cambridge & Coleridge AC 07.46
4 352 3 Jackson M.Blyton Notts AC 07.48
5 292 8 Errol Houston (U20) Enfield & Harringay 07.50
DNS 336 5 Garry Massey LSAC
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 5
1 390 4 Scott Wilson (U20) Charnwood AC 07.44
2 396 7 Tim Barton (M35) Charnwood AC 07.47
3 332 5 Fraser Young LSAC 07.47
4 381 6 Oliver Knight LSAC 07.49
5 374 8 Kasim Adesanya Notts AC 07.53
6 373 3 Justin Baxter Charnwood AC 07.57
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 6
1 274 7 Aqueel Hassan (U20) Charnwood AC 07.39
2 337 8 Garth Durrans Orchard County AC 07.44
3 384 5 Paul Goodall LSAC 07.44
4 182 3 Aaron Aplin Notts AC 07.48
5 402 6 James So LSAC 07.50
DNS 401 4 James Eccles LSAC
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 7
1 394 4 Tamouy Black (U20) Enfield & Harringay 07.63
2 383 6 Lionel Grelet Harrow AC 07.63
3 283 8 Dalton Powell (M45) Notts AC 07.68
4 340 5 Gary Wong (U20) Corby AC 07.68
5 403 7 Jonathan Moore LSAC 07.70
60m Senior Men 2nd series Race 8
1 371 6 Joseph Williamson (U20) Charnwood AC 07.63
2 387 5 Peter Sserunkuma Notts AC 07.71
3 369 7 John Statham (M45) Charnwood AC 07.87
4 251 4 Alexander Macdonald (U17) Doncaster AC 08.04
5 385 8 Paul Edwards (M50) Cannock & Stafford 08.37
6 220 3 Adrian James (M40) Kidderminster & Stourport 08.45
60m Senior Women 2nd Series Race 1
1 422 5 Melinda Cooksey Birchfield 07.63
2 420 8 Laura Samuel Leicester 07.82
3 408 4 Mica Nottingham (U20) LSAC 07.91
4 428 7 Anna Boyle Ballymena & Antrim 07.92
60m Senior Women 2nd Series Race 2
1 419 3 Laura McGawn RAF 08.00
2 417 4 Jor'dan McIntosh (U20) Charnwood AC 08.03
3 426 6 Sophie Croft (U20) Scunthorpe & District AC 08.20
4 460 7 Adele Clarke Unattached 08.26
5 412 5 Emily Wardle (U20) Charnwood AC 08.44
60m Senior Women 2nd Series Race 3
1 424 8 Rebecca Hall Granthan AC 08.34
2 414 5 Hannah Dunderdale (U17) Lincoln Wellington 08.34
3 409 7 Alessia Valente Notts AC 08.36
4 418 6 Katie James LSAC 08.63
60m Hurdles Senior Men 2nd series
1 458 7 Michael Holden LSAC 08.27
2 269 6 Andy Blow LSAC 08.35
3 429 5 Ben Gregory LSAC 08.71
4 381 4 Oliver Knight LSAC 08.95
60m Hurdles Men Masters 2nd series
1 385 6 Paul Edwards (M50) Cannock & Stafford 09.65
2 430 4 Tony Wells (M60) Corby AC 09.70
60m Hurdles Senior Women 2nd Series Race 1
1 421 4 Meghan Beesley LSAC 08.60
2 432 5 Gemma Werret LSAC 08.69
3 406 6 Kylie Robilliard LSAC 08.89
4 416 7 Jenny Heckford LSAC 09.15
DNF 431 8 Emma Bailey LSAC
Field
Mens Long Jump
1 451 Pickup Bradley LSAC 7.11m
2 449 Hall Max LSAC 6.48m
3 340 Wong (U20) Gary Corby AC 6.14m
4 453 Dunn Thomas Unattached 5.56m
5 220 James (M40) Adrian Kidderminster & Stourbridge 5.21m
Mens Pole Vault
1 348 Eaves Max LSAC 5.19m
2 10 Sutcliffe (U20) Andy Sale Harriers 5.08m
3 454 Strange Alisdair LSAC 5.00m
4 347 Cullen Matt Sale Harriers 4.90m
5 360 Cruchley Nick Halesowen 4.75m
6= 361 Hurren Richard Newham & Essex 4.75m
6= 345 Needham Laurie Blackpool 4.75m
8 453 Warensjo Robert LSAC 4.60m
9= 429 Gregory Ben LSAC 4.60m
9= 346 Deveraux Matt LSAC 4.60m
11 349 Holden Michael LSAC 4.60m
12 129 Sharp (U20) George Preston 4.00m
13 18 Harrison (U20) Andy Preston 4.00m
14 444 Feeney David LSAC 3.80m
Mens Shot
1 445 Francis (U17) Forrest Leicester 12.16m
1 447 Cupit (F37) Lee Unattached 8.33m
1 450 Mohan (U20) Robert LSAC 16.78m
1 461 Stevenson Jamie Neweham & Essex 17.01m
2 442 Sturrock Craig Gateshead 15.73m
3 450 Mohan Robert LSAC 15.19m
4 444 Feeney David LSAC 13.59m
5 443 Brunt Dan City of Sheffield 14.72m
6 459 Soalla-Bell Anthony Shaftesbury 13.40m
7 446 Twiddle John KUH AC 12.42m
8 449 Hall Max LSAC 12.16m
9 429 Gregory Ben LSAC 12.07m
Mens Shot (2nd Competition)
1 450 Mohan (U20) Robert LSAC 16.78m
1 443 Brunt Dan City of Sheffield 15.23m
2 459 Soalla-Bell Anthony Shaftesbury 13.68m
3 446 Twiddle John KUH AC NT
Womens Long Jump
1 420 Samuel Laura Leicester 5.51m
2 455 Whiteway Joanne LSAC 5.45m
Womens Pole Vault
1 18 Bleasdale (U20) Holly Blackburn 4.01m
2 453 Byres (U17) Katie Sale Harriers 3.81m
Womens Shot
1 414 Dunderdale (U17) Hannah Lincoln Wellington 9.61m
2 440 McKinna (U17) Sophie Great Yarmouth 13.02m
3 439 Pam (U17) Simi Peterboroough AC 11.64m
1 437 Evenden (U20) Hannah Edinburgh AC 13.35m
2 436 Rose (U20) Charlotte LSAC 12.53m
3 441 Clay (U20) Melissa City of Sheffield 11.28m
1 435 Peake Beccy LSAC 16.48m
2 434 Rodger Alison Sale Harriers 14.83m
3 438 Wallader Rachel WSE & H 14.34m
4 424 Hall Rebecca Granthan AC 11.25m
5 419 McGawn Laura RAF 10.94m
Womens Shot (2nd Competition)
1 440 McKinna (U17) Sophie Great Yarmouth 11.95m
1 437 Evenden (U20) Hannah Edinburgh AC 12.92m
1 438 Wallader Rachel WSE & H 13.69m
2 419 McGawn Laura RAF 10.75m

Saturday 30th January 2010

WORLD heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis defeated American Lolo Jones to smash her own British 60m hurdles record on the track of Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall as part of the Aviva International Match.

Ennis, the Great Britain team captain for the meeting, produced a terrific performance to clock the fastest time in the world this year crossing the line in a time of 7.95 seconds ahead of reigning world indoor champion Jones by a margin of 0.02secs with Caroline Nytra of Germany securing third in 8.08.

This marked the second time in January that Ennis has lowered the United Kingdom record previously held by Sarah Claxton (who finished fourth in the Glasgow race with 8.20) having recorded 8.12 at the Loughborough Open meeting.

Ennis followed this by finishing second on count-back to American Chaunte Howard in the high jump clearing the height of 1.94 metres to improve her lifetime best by two centimetres.

In the men's 60 metres hurdles, David Oliver regained the title he won two years ago with a winning time of 7.58secs ahead of Germany's Helge Schwarzer (7.68secs) and Sweden's Philip Nossmy (7.71secs).

On the track Jenny Meadows clinched victory for Great Britain in the 800m, producing a mark of two minutes and 2.53 seconds, with Commonwealth rival Neisha Bernard Thomas second in 2:04.74 and Swedish Rebecca Hogberg third in 2:07.65.

Loughborough-based Leon Baptiste recorded the first British men's victory of the match by winning the 200m ahead of Germany's Robert Hering, who was rapidly closing on him over the final 20 metres.
Baptiste kept his cool to win by 0.02secs in a time of 21.34secs, with American former Olympic gold medallist Shawn Crawford third in 21.60secs.

There was also success for fellow Loughborough athlete Helen Clitheroe, who held off the challenge of German, Sabrina Mockenhaupt to win the women's 3,000m in 9mins 5.87secs.

Loughborough graduate Victoria Barr was third in a stellar women’s 400m clocking an indoor PB of 53.83secs. Jamaican race winner Novlene Williams running for the Commonwealth Select won in 52.83.

Luke Cutts (5.50m) upstaged his fellow GB pole-vaulter Steve Lewis (5.30m) in the men’s competition although both were beaten for maximum points by Germany’s Bjorn Otto who had one less failure than Cutts in reaching a height of 5.50m.

Chris Tomlinson leapt 7.99m in the long jump to put the British team three points ahead of the United States with just three events remaining, although world silver medallist Lisa Dobriskey failed to extend the lead when she was edged on the line by American Heidi Dahl in the 1500m with a time of 4mins 17.96secs.

Nathan Douglas, a silver medallist at the 2006 European Athletics Championships, will be hoping to go one better in Barcelona later this year, finished second in the triple jump with a leap of 16.68m.

In another massive upset, South Africa's world 800m champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi suffered a shock defeat in the 800m as Germany's Robin Schembera produced an electric burst that the South African could find no response to.

However, with Britain holding a two-point cushion, Craig Pickering sealed the win in the men's 60m with a fine victory in 6.66secs.

Germany finished third in the team event, nine points behind the United States.

Full results are available on the following link: www.uka.org.uk/uka-major-events/2010/aviva-international-match/

Saturday 30th January 2010

HANNAH England secured a fine win for Great Britain in the Fred Lebow women’s mile at the 103rd edition of the legendary Millrose Games in New York on Friday (29th January).

England (Oxford), a former NCAA champion over the distance when representing Florida State University, here making her debut at the Millrose meeting outpaced American Sara Hall and Kenya's Sally Kipyego around the tight 160m track of Madison Square Gardens securing victory in a time of 4mins 31.48secs.

"I was able to make the move I hoped to make with only two laps to go," England said. "Jim Harvey, my coach who came up with my race plan, took a chance and some advice and it paid off."

American Bernard Lagat won the Wanamaker Mile for the eighth time, breaking Irish great Eamonn Coghlan's Millrose Games record.

Lagat, 35, clocked 3mins 56.34secs at Madison Square Garden to defeat reigning Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop of Kenya by less than two seconds.

Great Britain’s Andy Baddeley (Harrow), winner the previous week over the distance in a new personal best (3:55.64) at the New Balance Games also in New York, finished third in 3:58.09 with compatriot Mark Draper (Bedford) fifth in 4:02.30.
Leading Results:
Fred Lebow Mile
1 Hannah England (GBR) 4:31.48
2 Sara Hall (USA) 4:31.50
3 Sally Kipyego (KEN) 4:32.30
4 Sarah Bowman (USA) 4:34.84
5 Molly Lehman (USA) 4:36.57
6 Frances Koons (USA) 4:37.32
7 Marina Muncan (SRB) 4:41.72
- Karen Shinkins (IRL) DNF
Wanamaker Mile
1 Bernard Lagat (USA) 3:56.34
2 Asbel Kiprop (KEN) 3:58.03
3 Andy Baddeley (GBR) 3:58.09
4 Peter Van Der Westhuizen (RSA) 4:00.35
5 Mark Draper (GBR) 4:02.30
- David Krummenacker (USA) DNF

www.millrose-games.com

Saturday 30th January 2010

BRITISH record-holder Kate Dennison continued her fine indoor form by taking a close victory in the Elite women’s pole vault competition at the fifth edition of the International Springer-Meeting in Dresden, Germany, on Friday (29th January).

The 26-year-old Loughborough-based Sale Harrier won on countback with a height of 4.50 metres from Czech Jirina Ptáčníková.

Full results are available on the following link: http://leichtathletik.de/results/2544_dresden_springer_290110.pdf

Friday 29th January 2010

THE 2010 season is set to be a special year for athletics in the United Kingdom, with a calendar packed full of potential great performances and hopefully some new records to celebrate. The season kicks off at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, where the team vs team format is certain to generate an electric atmosphere from the crowd and fierce competition from the athletes in the Aviva International Match.

Next stop is the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where Britain’s best line up determined to secure their place on the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team bound for the World Indoor Championships in Doha the following month.

The athletes will get a second chance to reach peak form before the World Championships at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham, the showcase event of the UKA indoor season packed full of entertainment!

Heptathlon world champion Jessica Ennis will captain the British team at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow.

The multi-eventer from Sheffield will compete in the high jump as a representative of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team and also guest in the 60m hurdles.

Ennis leads a 17-strong team, which will face tough opposition from the United States, Sweden, a Commonwealth Select team and Germany in the first major domestic indoor meeting of the year at Kelvin Hall.
With more than half the team enjoying a successful World Championship campaign in Berlin last August, and including Jenny Meadows and Lisa Dobriskey, the 800 metres bronze and 1500m silver medallists respectively, the GB side should pose a real threat.
Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the Aviva International Match
Men:
60m: Craig Pickering (Marshall Milton Keynes); 200m: Leon Baptiste (Enfield & Haringey); 400m: Richard Buck (City of York); 800m: Joe Thomas (Cardiff); 3000m: Michael Skinner (Blackheath & Bromley); 60mh: Andy Turner (Sale); Long Jump: Chris Tomlinson (Newham & Essex Beagles); Triple Jump: Nathan Douglas (Oxford).
Women:
60m: Bernice Wilson (Birchfield Harriers); 200m: Helen Pryer (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow); 400m: Victoria Barr (Rugby & Northampton); 800m: Jenny Meadows (Wigan); 1500m: Lisa Dobriskey (Ashford); 3000m: Helen Clitheroe (Preston); 60mh: Sarah Claxton (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies); High Jump: Jessica Ennis (City of Sheffield).
Commonwealth Select Team (selected Britons):
60m: Harry Aikines Aryeetey (Sutton); Pole Vault: Luke Cutts (Dearneside); 3000m: Gemma Turtle (Gloucester).
Guests:
60m: Nick Smith (Shaftesbury Barnet); 60mh: Jessica Ennis (City of Sheffield); High Jump: Vikki Hubbard (Birchfield Harriers).

The Aviva International Match from Glasgow is live on BBC One beginning at 2.00pm.