BMC / NIKE Grand Prix 2003 Report
Steve Mosley and Tim Brennan
Overall
If the 2002 GP series was good – then 2003 was even better. Performances have improved across the board and numbers are way up in every event. The number of athletes wishing to compete has reached a level that could cause us to sink if any more come on board. The BMC has become victims of its own success and serious thought now needs to be undertaken as to the direction we wish to take for next year. Our thanks are due to the meeting organisers, the entry takers, the registration desk people, the commentators and everyone else who have helped this year.
The 2003 Racing
Program
Men's 800m
The improvement in standards seen last year continued and in fact accelerated. This was our best ever year on most measures. Four out of five of our races were 1:47.2 or better making the best ever average winning time. It also saw a best ever season for the top placed British Athlete, with the way being led by BMC loyalist Ricky Soos. Looking in depth we had 44 people produce sub 1:50 performances against last years 23, and with many of these being from UK Athletes aged 21 or under the future looks bright. Of the sub 1:50 times seventeen came in one meeting at Watford but this was only marginally better than Solihull with fourteen sub 1:50 times.
Women's 800m
The women's 800m though still one of our best ever years at the front end was down a notch on last years all time high, with an average of 2:05:13 against 2:04.22 last year. We can see the reason as the reduced use of our races by one or two athletes and slower form from one or two more. The signs though are encouraging with the depth of runners bettering 2:10 and 2:15 being easily our best ever.
First and tenth fastest British times (1997 - 2003)
|
800m |
||||||
|
|
Male |
Female |
||||
|
|
Best British |
Av.1st British |
Av.10th British |
Best British |
Av.1st British |
Av.10th British |
|
1997 |
1:46.87 |
1:48.13 |
1:51.04 |
2:03.4 |
2:05.21 |
2:13.58 |
|
1998 |
1:47.13 |
1:48.29 |
1:50.85 |
2:01.93 |
2:04.85 |
2:12.11 |
|
1999 |
1:48.00 |
1:48.27 |
1:50.21 |
2:04.57 |
2:05.94 |
2:12.74 |
|
2000 |
1:46.97 |
1:47.97 |
1:50.91 |
2:05.10 |
2:06.16 |
2:12.74 |
|
2001 |
1:47.67 |
1:48.99 |
1:51.64 |
2:04.94 |
2:05.80 |
2:12.77 |
|
2002 |
1:47.18 |
1:48.21 |
1:51.94 |
2:03.70 |
2:04.83 |
2:12.15 |
|
2003 |
1:46.68 |
1:47.72 |
1:50.90 |
2:04.55 |
2:05.14 |
2:10.20 |
Men's1500m
Like the Men’s 800m, the 1500m produced our fastest ever averages for the winning time and for the first placed Britain. This was more due to consistency rather than a single spectacular race with winning times ranging from 3:39.7 to 3:42.2. However the depth was fairly static compared to last year and the faces much the same. With improved pace-making and one sub 3:40 race the opportunities were there. It seems most likely that if we are going to see someone make a big breakthrough at 1500m, it will come from one of the younger guys currently doing well at 800m or 5000m.
Women's 1500m
It was a very similar story in the Women’s 1500m to the 800m. The front-end was slightly down a notch compared to 2001, hit particularly with the retirement of Rachel Newcombe and injuries to Maria Lynch and other various problems of the 4 or 5 regulars who have boosted standards over the last couple of years. The depth though is good as more people than ever before beat 4:20.
First and tenth fastest British times (1997 - 2003)
|
1500m |
||||||
|
|
Male |
Female |
||||
|
|
Best British |
Av.1st British |
Av.10th British |
Best British |
Av.1st British |
Av.10th British |
|
1997 |
3:37.5 |
3:41.05 |
3:45.40 |
4:15.2 |
4:18.18 |
4:42.2 |
|
1998 |
3:39.5 |
3:42.14 |
3:47.01 |
4:14.85 |
4:17.80 |
4:28.63 |
|
1999 |
3:41.83 |
3:42.85 |
3:45.51 |
4:10.84 |
4:17.02 |
4:27.82 |
|
2000 |
3:39.79 |
3:41.89 |
3:49.02 |
4:15.28 |
4:17.74 |
4:33.02 |
|
2001 |
3:39.27 |
3:43.19 |
3:47.62 |
4:13.02 |
4:16.23 |
4:32.03 |
|
2002 |
3:41.06 |
3:43.16 |
3:47.90 |
4:11.24 |
4:17.93 |
4:28.60 |
|
2003 |
3:39.72 |
3:41.62 |
3:48.85 |
4:14.82 |
4:16.81 |
4:25.95 |
Success of Initiatives
Contract
In 2003 we published an informal contract that described what we set
out to do with our races and what we expected from athletes and coaches. This
had a variety of different aims including the approach to racing and the
attitude to withdrawing or no showing for races. It’s hard to say what impact
the contract it’s self had but it has a usefully purpose in reminding
ourselves, and our customers what we are about and is worth keeping prominent.
We should republish it again and find a way to make it prominent on the
Website. Its real purpose comes when the principles stated in it are followed
through. For instance we did much more this year to check on no shows and
follow up to find out why they did not turn up. As people become more aware
that they will be found out it should make them at least notify us of their
withdrawal.
Spot
Prizes
We started a scheme of putting Ł100 spot
prizes for 800m and 1500m races that hit 600m or 1200m respectively faster than
target time. As things turned out we paid out on this just once, for Andrew
Graffin at Eton. It’s not clear that the incentive was that well known or that
it made people race differently. However it probably has a value in showing the
sort of thing we want to see from athletes.
Entry
Taking
Both the Website and the organisers
spreadsheet were improved this year, enabling us to have the latest
performance, membership, and subs data automatically consolidated with the
entries as they come in. We are leading the way in the sophistication of our
entry systems, and will continue to improve and innovate.
Participation
in the UKA domestic Grand Prix
Two of our meetings were part of the UKA domestic Grand Prix series,
but was anyone aware of this? And did it make any difference on the day? The
Eton meeting was supposed to be an evening of middle distance following the
inclusion of the rest of the UKA grand prix events in BAL division one in the
afternoon. However BAL and UKA had a falling out and we ended up being
portrayed in the press as the bad guys trying to undermine the league by
putting on our event on the same day and at the same venue. It may well benefit
us to cooperate with a UKA series next year, but they need to start delivering
on some of their plans.
General Conclusion
The Grand
Prix continues to get stronger year on year in terms of consistently having
fast races and in the depth of standards. We have not though achieved a break
through to a level where people are running World and Olympic qualifying
standards in our races. Those standards are not so far away so our aim must be
to achieve this in 2004.
This
document outlines many improvements and initiatives that can be made in 2004.
The answer though may lie in a lot of work by the organisers to attract the
best athletes from home and abroad. We should be extending our network of
contacts and having a more regular dialogue with them starting pre-season.
Ideally it would be great if we could make one or two races in the year extra
special and the best way to do this is to have a good indication of which
dates/events are in the plans of the best athletes and to influence them to
compete in our races.
We have
continued to improve the efficiency of our administration through the systems
and procedures we have developed. This is important as it frees up organisers
time to concentrate on important things such as pacemakers and contacting
athletes.
Grand Prix comparison 1997 to 2003
Men’s 800m
|
Grand Prix |
No. races |
Fin’d |
Fastest time |
First Brit. Time / Posn |
10th fastest |
Sub 1:48 |
Sub 1:50 |
Sub 1:55 |
Sub 2:00 |
|
Av & Tots ‘97 |
27 |
218 |
1:48.09 |
1:48.13 |
1:51.04 |
3(2) |
26 |
128 |
193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
10 |
77 |
1:47.41 |
1:48.86 / 2nd |
1:51.18 |
1(0) |
4 |
39 |
61 |
|
Swindon |
5 |
50 |
1:48.71 |
1st |
1:50.27 |
0 |
6 |
30 |
42 |
|
Cardiff |
5 |
36 |
1:47.81 |
1:48.43 / 2nd |
1:52.04 |
1(0) |
7 |
19 |
26 |
|
Watford |
7 |
72 |
1:48.30 |
1st |
1:50.00 |
0 |
8 |
43 |
64 |
|
Solihull |
7 |
52 |
1:47.13 |
1st |
1:50.77 |
2(2) |
6 |
23 |
44 |
|
Av & Tots ‘98 |
34 |
287 |
1:47.87 |
1:48.29 |
1:50.85 |
4(2) |
31 |
154 |
237 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
8 |
68 |
1:48.83 |
1st |
1:50.40 |
0 |
6 |
36 |
62 |
|
Watford |
10 |
85 |
1:47.49 |
1:48.06 / 2nd |
1:49.71 |
1(0) |
11 |
58 |
81 |
|
Solihull |
8 |
68 |
1:46.96 |
1:48.00 / 3rd |
1:49.84 |
2 (0) |
10 |
39 |
61 |
|
Cardiff |
5 |
48 |
1:48.24 |
1st |
1:50.83 |
0 |
6 |
23 |
34 |
|
Scotstoun |
6 |
47 |
1:48.77 |
1st |
1:50.26 |
0 |
7 |
25 |
34 |
|
Av & Tots ‘99 |
37 |
316 |
1:48.06 |
1:48.27 |
1:50.21 |
3 (0) |
39 |
181 |
272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
8 |
61 |
1:48.28 |
1st |
1:50.35 |
0 |
7 |
33 |
50 |
|
Cardiff |
6 |
52 |
1:46.64 |
1:46.97 / 3rd |
1:49.67 |
7 (3) |
11 |
30 |
42 |
|
Watford |
8 |
64 |
1:47.81 |
1st |
1:51.66 |
1 (1) |
3 |
32 |
54 |
|
Solihull |
7 |
69 |
1:46.99 |
1:47.65 / 2nd |
1:51.26 |
3 (2) |
6 |
32 |
53 |
|
Scotstoun |
5 |
39 |
1:49.15 |
1st |
1:51.63 |
0 |
5 |
20 |
32 |
|
Av & Tots ‘00 |
34 |
285 |
1:47.77 |
1:47.97 |
1:50.91 |
11 (6) |
32 |
147 |
231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
7 |
50 |
1:50.05 |
1st |
1:52.24 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
39 |
|
Watford |
10 |
72 |
1:47.67 |
1st |
1:50.79 |
1 (1) |
6 |
42 |
64 |
|
Solihull |
10 |
82 |
1:47.85 |
1:48.66 / 3rd |
1:49.31 |
1(0) |
14 |
51 |
74 |
|
Cardiff |
5 |
39 |
1:49.25 |
1:49.60 / 3rd |
1:53.13 |
0 |
4 |
20 |
34 |
|
Scotstoun |
7 |
50 |
1:48.97 |
1st |
1:52.72 |
0 |
4 |
19 |
31 |
|
Av & Tots ’01 |
39 |
293 |
1:48.62 |
1:48.99 |
1:51.64 |
2 (1) |
28 |
156 |
242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
8 |
64 |
1:47.83 |
1st |
1:50.84 |
1 (1) |
6 |
32 |
55 |
|
Solihull |
10 |
80 |
1:47.87 |
1:48.17/2nd |
1:51.5 |
1 (0) |
3 |
28 |
59 |
|
Eton |
9 |
69 |
1:47.69 |
1st |
1:51.94 |
1 (1) |
5 |
28 |
53 |
|
Edinburgh |
4 |
24 |
1:50.17 |
1st |
1:54.83 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
18 |
|
Watford |
10 |
92 |
1:46.29 |
1:47.18/3rd |
1:50.57 |
5(3) |
9 |
53 |
81 |
|
Av & Tots ‘02 |
41 |
329 |
1:47.97 |
1:48.21 |
1:51.94 |
8 (5) |
23 |
151 |
266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
10 |
96 |
1:47.29 |
1st |
1:50.58 |
1 (1) |
3 |
43 |
77 |
|
Eton |
9 |
72 |
1:47.22 |
1st |
1:51.14 |
1 (1) |
7 |
31 |
50 |
|
Watford |
10 |
88 |
1:46.68 |
1st |
1:48.80 |
4 (2) |
17 |
38 |
70 |
|
Solihull |
10 |
73 |
1:46.79 |
1:48.45 / 3 |
1:49.53 |
1 (0) |
14 |
44 |
62 |
|
Glasgow |
5 |
34 |
1:48.96 |
1st |
1:54.46 |
0 |
3 |
12 |
22 |
|
Av & Tots ‘03 |
44 |
363 |
1:47.39 |
1:47.72 |
1:50.90 |
7 (4) |
44 |
168 |
281 |
Men’s 1500m
|
Grand Prix |
No races |
Fin’d |
Fastest time |
First Brit. Time/Posn |
10th fastest |
Sub 3:45 |
Sub 3:50 |
Sub 3:55 |
Sub 4:00 |
|
Av &Tots ‘97 |
17 |
220 |
3:41.05 |
3:41.05 |
3:45.4 |
32 |
61 |
119 |
168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
4 |
63 |
3:42.66 |
1st |
3:49.04 |
1 |
14 |
25 |
35 |
|
Swindon |
4 |
41 |
3:42.55 |
1st |
3:46.64 |
6 |
13 |
19 |
28 |
|
Cardiff |
3 |
38 |
3:40.78 |
3:43.85 / 2 |
3:47.07 |
3 |
12 |
17 |
26 |
|
Watford |
5 |
60 |
3:39.40 |
3:39.5 / 2 |
3:45.30 |
9 |
25 |
35 |
44 |
|
Solihull (mile) |
2 |
28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Av & Tots ‘98 |
18 |
230 |
3:41.35 |
3:42.14 |
3:47.01 |
19 |
64 |
96 |
133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
5 |
72 |
3:41.99 |
3:42.37 / 3 |
3:44.62 |
10 |
25 |
38 |
57 |
|
Watford |
6 |
84 |
3:42.65 |
1st |
3:45.08 |
10 |
31 |
45 |
58 |
|
Solihull |
4 |
56 |
3:39.85 |
3:41.83 / 5 |
3:43.52 |
9 |
24 |
38 |
47 |
|
Cardiff |
4 |
58 |
3:43.61 |
3:44.54 / 3 |
3:48.83 |
4 |
12 |
23 |
35 |
|
Scotstoun(mile) |
2 |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Av & Tots ‘99 |
21 |
294 |
3:42.03 |
3:42.85 |
3:45.51 |
33 |
102 |
144 |
197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
5 |
58 |
3:40.42 |
1st |
3:44.93 |
10 |
17 |
30 |
42 |
|
Cardiff |
3 |
50 |
3:42.55 |
3:43.01 / 2 |
3:44.70 |
10 |
21 |
35 |
38 |
|
Watford |
6 |
86 |
3:39.79 |
1st |
3:44.55 |
10 |
25 |
47 |
65 |
|
Solihull |
4 |
49 |
3:45.10 |
1st |
3:48.01 |
0 |
13 |
28 |
34 |
|
Scotstoun |
2 |
18 |
3:41.15 |
1st |
4:02.90 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
|
Av & Tots ‘00 |
20 |
261 |
3:41.80 |
3:41.89 |
3:49.02 |
32 |
81 |
146 |
188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
5 |
64 |
3:44.26 |
1st |
3:47.26 |
4 (4) |
16 |
21 |
36 |
|
Watford |
7 |
100 |
3:39.27 |
1st |
3:43.55 |
13(12) |
37 |
58 |
75 |
|
Solihull |
6 |
69 |
3:43.20 |
1st |
3:47.63 |
4 (4) |
13 |
24 |
38 |
|
Cardiff |
3 |
24 |
3:45.49 |
3:46.04/ 2 |
3:52.05 |
0 |
6 |
14 |
18 |
|
Scotstoun(mile) |
1 |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Av & Tots ‘01 |
22 |
270 |
3:43.06 |
3:43.19 |
3:47.62 |
21 |
72 |
117 |
167 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
6 |
85 |
3:42.08 |
1st |
3:46.58 |
7(6) |
21 |
40 |
55 |
|
Solihull |
8 |
93 |
3:46.93 |
1st |
3:49.25 |
0 |
12 |
29 |
47 |
|
Eton |
5 |
53 |
3:41.67 |
1st |
3:47.37 |
8 (7) |
11 |
25 |
35 |
|
Edinburgh |
2 |
22 |
3:44.07 |
1st |
3:51.69 |
2(2) |
8 |
12 |
16 |
|
Watford |
7 |
90 |
3:41.06 |
1st |
3:44.60 |
11(9) |
31 |
37 |
59 |
|
Av & Tots ‘02 |
28 |
343 |
3:43.16 |
3:43.16 |
3:47.90 |
28(24) |
83 |
143 |
212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
6 |
93 |
3:40.99 |
3:41.49 / 2 |
3:45.55 |
8 (7) |
19 |
35 |
53 |
|
Eton |
6 |
80 |
3:39.72 |
1st |
3:46.00 |
4 (4) |
22 |
36 |
64 |
|
Watford |
7 |
81 |
3:42.26 |
1st |
3:46.25 |
8 (5) |
22 |
39 |
52 |
|
Solihull |
6 |
80 |
3:40.78 |
3:42.53 / 2 |
3:47.28 |
4 (2) |
16 |
28 |
50 |
|
Glasgow |
3 |
19 |
3:42.00 |
1st |
3:59.19 |
2(1) |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Av & Tots ‘03 |
28 |
353 |
3:41.15 |
3:41.62 |
3:48.85 |
26(19) |
85 |
146 |
229 |
Men’s 800m
Men’s 1500m
Women’s 800m
|
Grand Prix |
No races |
Fin’d |
Fastest time |
First Brit. Time / Posn |
10th fastest |
Sub 2:05 |
Sub 2:10 |
Sub 2:15 |
Sub 2:20 |
|
Av & Tots ‘97 |
8 |
66 |
2:05.21 |
2:05.21 |
2:13.58 |
3(3) |
28 |
54 |
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
3 |
26 |
2:08.36 |
1st |
2:11.90 |
0 |
5 |
18 |
22 |
|
Swindon |
2 |
17 |
2:04.61 |
1st |
2:12.86 |
1(1) |
5 |
12 |
16 |
|
Cardiff |
2 |
14 |
2:04.75 |
1st |
2:10.26 |
2(2) |
9 |
12 |
14 |
|
Watford |
2 |
18 |
2:04.60 |
1st |
2:14.00 |
2(2) |
8 |
13 |
16 |
|
Solihull |
2 |
15 |
2:01.93 |
1st |
2:11.55 |
1(1) |
7 |
13 |
15 |
|
Av & Tots ‘98 |
11 |
90 |
2:04.85 |
2:04.85 |
2:12.11 |
6(6) |
34 |
68 |
83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
4 |
32 |
2:05.25 |
1st |
2:09.55 |
0 |
10 |
20 |
30 |
|
Watford |
3 |
28 |
2:04.57 |
1st |
2:11.54 |
1(1) |
6 |
20 |
25 |
|
Solihull |
3 |
22 |
2:06.28 |
1st |
2:11.47 |
0 |
5 |
15 |
21 |
|
Cardiff |
2 |
15 |
2:07.03 |
1st |
2:13.73 |
0 |
5 |
12 |
13 |
|
Scotstoun |
2 |
13 |
2:06.56 |
1st |
2:17.43 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
11 |
|
Av & Tots ‘99 |
14 |
110 |
2:05.94 |
2:05.94 |
2:12.74 |
1(1) |
28 |
74 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
4 |
30 |
2:05.12 |
2:05.27 / 2nd |
2:10.70 |
0 |
7 |
23 |
29 |
|
Cardiff |
3 |
15 |
2:06.59 |
1st |
2:11.19 |
0 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
|
Watford |
3 |
23 |
2:06.67 |
2:07.71 / 2nd |
2:12.76 |
0 |
4 |
13 |
21 |
|
Solihull |
3 |
22 |
2:06.13 |
1st |
2:12.07 |
0 |
5 |
16 |
20 |
|
Scotstoun |
2 |
16 |
2:05.10 |
1st |
2:16.96 |
0 |
6 |
8 |
11 |
|
Av & Tots ‘00 |
15 |
106 |
2:05.92 |
2:06.16 |
2:12.74 |
0 |
29 |
70 |
94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
3 |
25 |
2:05.50 |
1st |
2:10.83 |
0 |
6 |
18 |
21 |
|
Watford |
3 |
25 |
2:04.94 |
1st |
2:12.20 |
1(1) |
7 |
19 |
25 |
|
Solihull |
3 |
26 |
2:05.01 |
1st |
2:10.02 |
0 |
9 |
21 |
26 |
|
Cardiff |
4 |
17 |
2:04.97 |
1st |
2:17.88 |
1(1) |
4 |
8 |
12 |
|
Scotstoun |
3 |
18 |
2:08.60 |
1st |
2:12.90 |
0 |
3 |
10 |
14 |
|
Av & Tots ‘01 |
16 |
111 |
2:05.80 |
2:05.80 |
2:12.77 |
2(2) |
29 |
76 |
98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
4 |
31 |
2:04.72 |
1st |
2:10.38 |
2(2) |
8 |
16 |
27 |
|
Solihull |
4 |
27 |
2:04.88 |
2:06.39/2nd |
2:13.0 |
1 (0) |
4 |
14 |
20 |
|
Eton |
4 |
27 |
2:03.91 |
2:05.46/3rd |
2:12.83 |
2 (0) |
6 |
15 |
22 |
|
Edinburgh |
1 |
9 |
2:03.88 |
1st |
N/A |
1 (1) |
4 |
7 |
7 |
|
Watford |
4 |
35 |
2:03.70 |
1st |
2:12.40 |
3(3) |
7 |
20 |
31 |
|
Av & Tots ‘02 |
17 |
129 |
2:04.22 |
2:04.83 |
2:12.15 |
9(6) |
29 |
72 |
107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wythenshawe |
4 |
34 |
2:04.76 |
1st |
2:08.65 |
1 (1) |
10 |
25 |
32 |
|
Eton |
5 |