Morpeth Harrier James Young, currently studying at Lancaster University, gained his first England vest on Saturday 27th April 2019, when he took part in the 35th annual Attnanger Spitz Mile in Austria.
He one of three English runners taking part, the other two being Sheffield and Dearne’s Tommy Horton, and European Indoor 800m Silver Medallist Jamie Webb of Liverpool Harriers. The event winner was Viktor Sinagl of Czechoslovakia, who posted a finishing time of 4m08.97s, ahead of fellow Czech Jan Fris (4m09.17s), with 2018 winner Abdelali Razyn of Morocco, finishing third in 4m11.40s. With around 250 metres to go, Young looked very much in line to be the first home of the English trio, as he was sitting in an excellent fourth place. However, on a final bend, he hit a rough patch of ground, forcing him to stumble slightly, resulting in him losing a few places. He eventually hung on, finishing seventh in 4m18.44s as second counter, headed by Horton, who placed finished fifth in 4m16.56s. Meanwhile Webb will probably feel most disappointed, as he trailed in sixteenth in 4m33.06s, twenty seconds ahead of the last finisher. Horton, who had run the event in 2018, had remained focussed, and was well pleased, and Young on his England debut, was most positive, and very spirited about his performance, despite the hiccup near the end. Unfortunately, Young will be unable to defend his North Eastern Counties 800m and 1500m Senior titles at Middlesbrough this weekend, as he is having to return to Lancaster for his studies, with exams pending. Morpeth Harriers have much pleasure in announcing that their Reeves the Pensions Specialist Athlete of the Month Award for March 2019 has gone to talented Under 17 Woman Throws specialist Jessica Gardiner, who broke a Meeting Record at the North East Throws Festival at Whitley Bay on Saturday 30th March.
Her record came in the Under 17 Women’s Hammer competition, which saw her win with a best throw of 39.81m, which was achieved in her first of four attempts, bettering her previous figures by a whole 1.53m (five feet in old money), which also now sees her ranked No 1 in the region, and eighth in the UK, a fine early season effort indeed. Jessica won by a clear four metres over Darlington’s Rosie Thompson, who produced an on the day best of 35.56m. Later in the competition, she won the Discus, also with a new personal best of 31.33m, again inflicting defeat on Thompson, on this occasion by the comfort of around 3.50m. Gardiner, bettering her previous figures by 1.38m (just over four foot in old money), now sits at No 3 in the UK, and 1st in the region as a result of her splendid efforts. Jessica is pictured above receiving her well-earned Certificate of Achievement from Morpeth Harriers Official George Patterson at the opening NEYDL Meeting held at Middlesbrough. |
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