Six Striders made the trip to Darlington on Tuesday for event 3 of the Summer Track and Field series. Katie Abel, Sophie Owens, Lucy Owens, Vicky Meaby and Kate Butterworth represented the ladies. Myself, the only gent again.
First up was the High Jump – a new event for all of us. Rules stated that the minimum bar height was a very challenging 1.2 metres. This proved a step too far for all of the Striders ladies – except Kate – who, with her final attempt, got the approach and technique spot on to clear the bar. This gained her second overall in the women’s senior category – and in the process setting (as far as I know) a ladies Striders High Jump record! Well don Kate! The men’s senior High Jump included a 7 foot Polish international. Seriously. The rest of us battled for second place and I was pleased to edge it with a jump of 1.4 metres.
The girls then moved on to the Discus. Unlike last time, this was a much tighter affair – with less than 8 metres separating the whole field. Katie, Sophie, Lucy, Vicky and Kate maintained the consistent 10 metre plus throwing they showed at Middlesbrough (with a few new pb’s along the way). Vicky threw an excellent 16 metres to take second overall in the seniors event.
With Lucy providing tea, sweets and penguins, attention turned to the triple jump. Kate and I maintained our good jumping form to take second in our categories with jumps of 8.28 and 9.68 metres respectively.
Final event was the mile. Katie and I dragged ourselves to the start with Lucy and Sophie staying on to watch and support. We let the elites go off in heat 1, and then entered heat 2 where we got times of 6.32 and 5.31.
Thanks to all who took part. A few people have expressed an interest in getting coached in the field events. We’ll look again at the feasibility of doing this at our home venue. Next up – its back to Middlesbrough in June.
Paul J