Northern 3000m Championships (U20)
Alec won a North of England bronze medal over 3000m under the floodlights of Stretford in one of the most exciting races of his career.
The first 400 to 800 were quite cagey with nobody willing to set the pace. However during the 2nd lap Rob Hodges (Hull) went to the front and dragged the 20 runners round at an ever increasing pace. Every lap runners were dropping off the back, Alec remained focused and relaxed, staying in the top 6 and hugging the kerb. With 2 laps to go their were only six left in contention with Alec still looking very strong. With 500m to go David Marsh ( Sale Manchester) made a break and quickley opened a gap.
This provoked a swift last lap by 3 runners from the North East, Lewis Timmins (Gosforth) Jonny Tayloy (Mandale) and Alec. Coming into the home straight Marsh still held a clear advantage followed by Timmins then Taylor and Alec who were all finishing very quickley. Marsh crossed the line in 8.32, behind him only a photo could separate 2nd, 3rd and 4th after 3000m of running.
The final result showed: 2nd Timmins 8.34.74, 3rd Alec 8.34.75 and 4th Taylor 8.34.75.
After the relatively slow start Alec achieved a PB by 15 seconds.
NYSD Track and Field Darlington 25th July
The last fixture of the season was changed to Darlington because of ongoing problems at Clairville.
Despite the long travel 5 of the juniors attended the fixture and their performances merited the journey.
In the u/13 100m Jess Parkes finished in 2nd place in a time of 15.3 sec, also in the 100m Helen Bostock competing in the u/17 category ran 15.1 for the distance , Helen also threw the discuss 18.82m to finish in 2nd place.
Grace Rodgers and Dani Braithwaite ran the u/13 1500m and they dominated the race from start to finish. Grace set a fast pace but Dani was never far behind , Grace finished in 1st place with a very good time of 5-27min and Dani was 2nd in her first NYSD race with a time of 5-35min
In the u/17 1500m Lewis Rodgers finished in 2nd place in 4-25 to round off a very good track season for him. (back to top)
NYSD Track and Field Shildon 9th July 2006
We had a small representation at the 5th fixture held on the above date. Two of the juniors were taking part for the first time and they both performed very well. In the U/13 firls, Jess Parkes ran the 200M and finished 2nd in her heat witha time of 31.2 secs. In the U/11 boys, Joe Hoggarth won all three events starting with the 75m in 11.4 secs, the Long Jump and finally the 600m where he recorded the very fast time of 2.01 secs. A great start for a very talented youngster.
Helen Bostock won the U/17 shot with a throw of 7.84m and Lewis Rogers ran the 400m in 59.4 and then jumped 8.39m in the triple jump - neither event being his regular race but it added a bit of variety to his programme.
North Yorkshire Schools Championships 10th June 2006
The last time we watched Alec and Lewis run 3000m in May we sat huddled in thick coats and drinking soup and coffee to keep warm, the temperature around 9 deg; this week the temperature was up to 27 deg with a strong breeze blowing. Both of them were looking for a fast race trying to achieve English School’s qualifying time but the weather made this impossible. Running in the same race with Alec representing the Seniors and Lewis the Intermediates they both set off at a good pace coming through the first lap in 69 and 70 seconds respectively. At 1600m Alec recorded 4.45 and Lewis 4.54. From then on it became a battle against conditions with both winning there respective races; Alec finishing in 9-02.5 and Lewis 9-38.3.
In the Junior Girl’s race Hope Rodgers finished in 5th place in the 1500m with a time of 5-27.5 and Megan Ellis in the Intermediate Girl’s 800m finished in fourth place in 2-31.0. (back to top)
North East Veterans League - Monkton Stadium - Jarrow 31.05
Rob Williamson and Bill Bingham changed their road shoes for track spikes to take part in the N.E. vets league fixture at Jarrow. There was a large field for the 1500m and this resulted in 4 races being run split into different age groups.
Rob had a blistering start and went through the first lap in 69secsand held a 20m lead. Even though the pace dropped he had established a winning lead to finish in a time of 4-43.1. In the next heat Bill ran a more even paced race to finish in 7th place in 4-51.3.
After a short recovery both of them tried the 400m where they both showed a lack of sprinting speed , Rob running 64sec and Bill approx 67.
There was an open 800m race in which Lewis Rodgers, Megan Ellis and Angharad Owen took part. The race was very poorly attended with only one other runner from M& C taking part and no athletes from the many Tyneside clubs taking up the challenge.
Lewis was using it as speedwork for the forthcoming schools event and he started at a very fast pace going through 200m in 29 sec and had a first lap of 60sec. The two girls probably got carried along with the fast start with Angharad going through the bell in 66sec and Megan in 68.Although the speed dropped in the second lap Lewis was a comfortable winner in 2-09.6, Angharad finished in 2-23.5 and Megan in 2-29.8. Lewis knocked a huge amount off his p.b. with Angharad and Megan both within 1sec of their seasons best.
(back to top)North of England AA U17/U15 Championships
South Leeds Stadium 27th and 28th May 2006
The U15 and U17 age groups were held at South Leeds Stadium which has a very impressive seating area and a fantastic new indoor warm-up area. The stadium not only allowed access to all parts of the track without the restrictions we now see at some local venues but it also gave the athletes an insight into the formalities of a big meeting. Prior to each event the athletes were assembled at the call up area and escorted to the start by the officials.
Saturday
Megan Ellis took part in the 1500m heats competing against some of the best juniors in the North of England including Natalie Grant who is currently ranked 3rd at this distance in the UK. The 1st 200 metres saw a lot of jockying for position and Megan had to frequently run wide to stay with the main group. However, an impressive display of front running by Scarborough’s Rachel Kitchen streached the field out. By the 3rd lap over 200 meters separated Rachel from the back of the field. Megan set herself a respectable time of 5.14 to finish 9th in her first attempt at this distance for over 2 years, and still in her first year in this age group.
Sunday
Lewis Rodgers took part in the U17 3000m and was again competing against some of the best juniors in the North. After the first two laps Lewis lost contact with the leading group of 8 and had to work really hard down the back straight into a strong headwind. As the race progressed a few runners dropped off the group and Lewis was able to go past them but they were not providing any assistance. The last lap again saw Lewis make further inroads and he finished in 7th place with a time of 9.26, only 10 seconds behind 2nd and 3rd runner.
More pictures and results here: http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/
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Yorkshire Track & Field Championships 2006
Dorothy Hyman Stadium, Cudworth Sat & Sun 13th & 14th May
On the Saturday Angharad Owen ran the Senior Women’s 800m finishing in 6th place with a time of 2.23.58 which was her season’s best and shows she is close to breaking 2.20 again. In the U17 3000m Lewis Rodgers again knocked 20 secs off his pb when he finished in 5th place with a very good time of 9.22.19.
The Sunday programme was held in grey, cold and murky conditions with Helen Bostock taking part in the U17 Shot Putt and the 100m. Unfortunately both events were held at the same time so it was a case of dashing from one event to another not conducive to fast times and long throws. In the shot putt she finished in 6th place with a throw of 7.42 and in the heats of the 100m she recorded a time of 15.06.
We then had a long cold wait before the afternoon’s events. In the first heat of the U13 800m Grace Rodgers stormed through the first 400m in 68 secs and held a lead of 20m at the bell. With the group behind her making slight inroads into her lead she was a comfortable winner in a time of 2.34.95 which knocked 9secs off her pb.
In the second heat Dani Braithwiate was well placed at the bell and finished in 4th place in a time of 2.47.02, unfortunately she just missed out on a qualifying place for the final.
The next race was the heats of the U17 women’s 800m. Megan Ellis looked very comfortable at the front as they passed the 500m mark. She lost a few places on the final bend but broke the 2.30 barrier for the first time finishing in 5th place in a time of 2.28.50. In the heat of the 1500m Hope Rodgers finished in 8th place with a time of 5.35.10.
The final of the U13 800m was held three hours later and this time Grace ran the first lap more conservatively going past the bell in 2nd place in 77secs with a 20m deficit. As they entered the home straight Grace was still 10m behind but showed tremendous determination to finally claim 1st place on the last stride. Her winning time as 2.34.67 which was slightly faster than her time in the heat to give her first Yorkshire title.
This race was followed by the final of the Junior Men’s 3000m with Alec Duffield taking part. Alec was setting the pace well with a Leeds athlete on his heels. At one point the Leeds athlete tried to force the pace, but, although suffering with slight stomach cramp, Alec was quick to respond and down the back straight of the final lap Alec increased the pressure and opened a gap and moved comfortably away to win in a time of 9.01.47.
So, after a long day it was good to see two Loftus athletes mount the podium to take their gold medals and the title of Yorkshire Champion 2006. Tony Hare
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Rob Williamson
Bill Bingham
800m Open: Lewis, Angharad & Megan
Megan Ellis in front of the impressive stand
at South Leeds Stadium
 Grace Rogers U13 Girls 800m champion
 Alec Duffield Junior Mens 3000m champ
Dani Braithwiate
Megan Ellis
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England Vest for Stephen Hepples
25 year old Stephen Hepples, has been selected to represent an England team in a forthcoming Home International, match to be held at Loughborough University. This annual early season fixture features selected teams from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, plus a select team from Loughborough University.
A delighted Hepples told the Loftus AC web-site after hearing news of his selection:
"Chuffed to bits. I would like to think that the selectors took note of my fom in the 12 stage road relays both in the Southern and the national finals. Last weeks 5,000 performance has given me a boost and obviously it has clinched me another vest. Really delighted".
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Result from Loughborough
Loughborough University, on Sunday was the venue for the final day of a two day Home International Track & Field meeting. Home Countries competing against each other were England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, plus a select Loughborough University team.
Loftus 2nd claim member 26 year old Stephen Hepples, was representing England in the last event of the 2nd day the 5,000 metres. Hepples, a Loftus runner since he was 14 years first attained an England vest when a junior aged 17 years with less than 3 years running behind him. Since that time he has had Gt britain and England honours at all levels over distances from 3,000 to the half marathon.
Read the full report - download word document 
CLASSROOM (for Junior members only)
When you have read the report consider the following:
Was Hepples' tactics in running alone against a headwind the right tactics?
What would you have done?
The scenario:
Riley
Warmby (sheltering)
5 metres
Hepples (alone)
5 metres
Pack.
If you want to reply - answers to go on the website - email: [email protected]
British Premiership T& F 06.05.06
In the first British Premiership League Track & Field meet of the season in London on Saturday, Redcar based, 26 year old Stephen Hepples toed the line at the start of an above average 5,000 metre field, peppered with past and present internationals. Hepples, running for his first claim London club, Newham Essex & Beagles. Hepples was always to the fore just behind the leaders who clocked 8 mins 20 seconds at 3,000 metres. With 500 metres to go Hepples, worked his way to the front and made a bid for victory. The move by Hepples, saw him go 2 metres clear, chased by Andy Coleman and Steve Sharp. With less than 150 metres to go the chasing duo were working in tandem to close down the Northern runner as they entered the final 100 metres. Hepples, momentarily looked at one time as if he would grab victory only to be overhauled in the final 30 metres overtaken by Coleman, and Sharp. Hepples with a 13.54 PB for the 5,000 metres said after the race "I am reasonably happy with that. I give it a go from 500 out, perhaps I should have waited a little longer, but I was up for the race and wanted to see what shape I was in. I'm happy that I have put down a marker for the season".
5000 1r1 Andy Coleman 14:02.88, 2r1 Steve Sharp 14:03.75, 3r1 Stephen Hepples 14:04.29, 4r1 Phil Wicks 14:07.50, 5r1 Julian Moorhouse 14:11.53, 6r1 Robert Russell 14:13.00, 7r1 Tom Payn 14:14.46, 8r1 Dominic Bannister (M35) 14:15.92 (back to top)
NYSD Track Meeting 02.05.06
On a very windy evening, Hope Rogers and Megan Ellis travelled to Darlington for the first NYSD track meeting - both running 800m, Hope in the U15 and Megan the U17.
Hope ran a good tactical race - sitting in at fourth. She kicked off the final bend, finishing strongly to get 2nd place. Megan's race started slowly but at 300m the eventual winner moved to the front and the pace picked up. Megan moved through the field again finishing strongly to come in 3rd. (back to top)
Track Meeting Shildon 14/04/06
The first track meeting was held in bright sunny conditions but a cool wind blowing down the back straight made fast times difficult to achieve. Dani Braithwaite started the event by winning her heat in the 60m which she followed by a victory in the long jump with a distance of 3-24m. In the same event Megan Trowsdale jumped 1-98m in her first attempt at this discipline. Unfortunately for Dani there was a run off for 2nd place in the 60m and she pulled a muscle before the finish which ruled her out of the rest of the meeting.
Three of the girls competed in the 800m with Grace Rodgers finishing 5th in the u/13 with a time of 2-49.6. Hope Rodgers was 4th in the u/15 race in 2-40.6 and Angharad Owen finished 3rd in the senior race in 2-32.5.
Hope then competed in the long jump where she recorded a best of 3-61m
Lewis Rodgers then recorded a p.b. in the 3000m winning the u/17 event in a time of 9-40.6 knocking 50sec off the time he ran last season.
Catherine Urban running in her first track event ran 2-26 for the u/11 600m to complete the afternoon Tony Hare (back to top) |
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