A year likely to be looked back upon in the future as one of the highwater marks in the club’s history. Let’s enjoy being reminded about some of the wonderful things we achieved together in a truly golden year.
Outstanding Individual Successes
Cam McGregor English Schools 400m champion. Selected to represent GB in Colombia UK ranked 5
Ed Faulds – also selected, but unable to compete due to injury. UK #1 400m
Savannah Morgan – English Schools U15 100 champion and part of winning 4x100m quartet. UK #3 in 200m
Sofia Barrett EA Indoor Championships 300m silver medal.
Georgie Forde-Wells BUCS gold in triple jump
Ella Darby represented England in international SIAB pentathlon in Glasgow. Best 800m of the entire competition.
All trained by James Wright, who currently coaches TEN top-ten UK ranked athletes
Kevin Murch – Midlands senior hammer Champion
Charlotte Bowers U20 Midlands hammer champion
Dominic Jones – broke club record in marathon 2.21.32 and 5k 14.14
Angela Copson – three new world records in 800m, 1500m and 3k and 13th International cross country title.
Currently has 75 British records, 53 European records and 41 world records!
Team Successes
Vets – 14th combined title since 2002
U13G WMYACCL title
U17M WMYACCL title
U17M Midlands Champions
Midlands Women’s Cross Country League – secured division 1 status and increased participation.
Birmingham Cross Country League – top ten division 1 finish and first ever outright win at Abington Park fixture.
Three Counties Cross Country League – cross country with a Parkrun feel. Best ever finish for both men – 3rd and women – 6th
East Midlands Grand Prix – fourth successive title for senior men and third consecutive title for vet men.
Club Connect relays – win for U15 4x200m on a national stage
Midland League division 1 – 3rd
Heart of England division 1 2nd
A Year in the Life
Various images illustrating the breadth of club life – training in snow, coping with the heatwave, using whatever is around, getting from the couch to a 5k, competing abroad, both recreational (it reCREATES) and competitive athletics.
A Very Special Day
YDL Lower Age Group National final – 3/9/22.
Best ever finish. Just missing an outright win by 3 points!
Video clip of most exciting event – U15G 4x300m. That last, impossible leg! Still looks like Ella must surely be overtaken!
The most golden day of a golden year
The Future
Significant development – we have an electronic timing system for this coming season. It is now what is expected for sprints events. We’ll use it for all the events we host, and it will attract entrants to our open meetings. Part of embracing the future, not resting on laurels.
Can successes of the past be repeated? Yes. Blackheath were runners up five times before their win in 2022.
Everything possible with dedicated athletes, parents, coaches, helpers and officials.
We have a pressing need for the volunteers who are the lifeblood of the club. Others who share the belief that athletics can enhance life and be a powerful force for good in society – for all ages.
Good to see how the runners of yesteryear became the marshals and helpers at Abington Park, for example, this year – and we can anticipate some of our current young athletes moving up, becoming top level seniors, and eventually serving as the bods in the high viz vests and officials polo shirts of the future. We need to encourage, set the example.
Yes, certainly a golden year – but there’s more. Everything is possible.
