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Seniors narrowly beaten into second place

Chris Hesketh

Chris Hesketh clears 1.7 metres in the high jump

Stockport Harriers’ Senior Track and Field team produced their best performance of the season at Wavertree stadium on Saturday, but were unlucky to be beaten into second place by the hosts Liverpool Harriers by a single point.

There were numerous good performances by both men’s and women’s teams, culminating with 3 out of 4 victories in the relays.

The women’s teams best performances came from the youngest athletes Katie Deutsch and Jess Yates who were making their debuts for the women’s team.

Katie took maximum points in the A string 100 metres and also won the Triple Jump, with a brilliant 10.42 metres into a strong head wind.

Jess took maximum points in the B string Triple Jump with 9.91 metres, and then went on to cruise to victory in the B string 400 metres.

In the B string 800 metres Carla Stansfield coasted to victory in a personal best of 2.31. Ruth Jenyon, although not enjoying the distance, took first place in the A string 1,500 metres. Women's squad manager Vicky Robinson had a win in the 400 metres in 61.4.

On the men’s team their were impressive performances from Ben Styles who was just beaten into second place in the 400 metres, but recorded a personal best of 50.9 in very windy conditions.

Steve Vernon was involved in close race in the 800 metres where only a width of a vest separated him and Tom Boardman of Leigh, unfortunately it was Tom’s vest in front, but both athletes were given the same time of 1.59.4. John Walch was equally impressive winning the B race in 2.02.4.

Bashir Hussain was never going to catch England international Peter Riley in the 5,000 metres, but was involved in an incredibly close race with Glen Groves of Liverpool with Glen running on Bashir's shoulder for the entire race. Fortunately Bashir had the finishing sprint to stay in front and take 2nd place, with only a tenth of a second separating them.

In the high jump competition father and son Chris Hesketh senior and Chris Hesketh junior both matched each other with high jumps of 1.7 metres.

The final match of the season takes place on August 7th, and with this match being held at our home track we would hope to take place first this time.

AAA's Junior Championships

Under-20 women's 800 metre runner Claire McMurdock made it through to the final at the AAA’s Championships finishing third in a seasons best time of 2.11. Claire ran 6th in the final the following day.

Andy Nixon also at his first AAA’s under-20 Championship finished 7th in the 5,000 metre final.

In the under-23 Championships Scott Caine who ran 48.64 qualified into the semi's but unfortunately had to withdraw with an injury.

Looking ahead

This weekend Cross Country internationals Steve Vernon and Jess Coulson compete over very different terrains.

Steve will be leading a strong UK team up the Pasterze, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps.

The race climbs from an altitude of 4,000 feet finishing up at 8,000 feet at the European Mountain Running Championships at Heiligenblut in Austria.

Stockport Grammar girl Jess Coulson will run in the Inter Girls 1,500 metres at the English Schools' Championships at Alexandra Stadium, Birmingham.

Jess will be joined by her Harriers' team mates Ross Millington, also Stockport Grammar, school running in the inter boys' 1,500 metres and last year's silver medallist in the junior girls' 1,500 metres race Lucy McLoughlin of Hazel Grove High School.

Aquinas college student Claire McMurdock runs in the senior girls' 800 metres.

Running track back in business

From Sunday 3rd July the running track is open for use again as re-surfacing work has been now completed ahead of schedule thanks to the recent good weather.

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