Kane Elliot Breaks BMC U20 1500m Record, Max Wharton leads GP Series

Photo Kane Elliot (129) sets a BMC U20 Members record behind Max Wharton’s 3::39.68 (124) and Remi Adebiyi 3:40.36 (135) – Sport City 29th May

After two Grand Prix meetings Max Wharton leads the series points with £1000 to be won as first prize in the Grand Prix final. Close behind are Jenna Bromell, Ethan Hussey and Jenny Selman. The full list of points can be seen at https://www.britishmilersclub.com/grand-prix-series-prizes/ The overall prize will be decided by each athletes best two meetings from the first four Grand Prix plus final points.

THERE are four very good reasons why Kane Elliott will never forget his dazzling run at the Saucony British Milers Club Grand Prix at Sportcity.

Firstly, the 19-year-old’s time of 3mins 40.65secs was a big personal best, carving over three seconds from the mark of 3:44.05 which he recorded at the first GP of the season at Trafford at the start of the month.

Secondly that time was a British Milers Club Under 20 men’s record, eclipsing the 10-year-old mark of Adam Cotton when he ran 3:41.33 at the Watford Grand Prix meeting.

Thirdly, Elliott’s exceptional run was inside the qualifying mark of 3:43.00 to be eligible for the World Junior Championships, in Kenya, in August.

Last but not least Elliott’s PB was just inside the Scotland qualifying standard of 3:40.7 for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

“I only heard it was a BMC record as I was driving back home and my dad phoned me and told me,” said Kane.

“I knew about the World Juniors qualifying time but didn’t know about the Commonwealth Games one either, although Scotland has some brilliant 1500m runners at the moment.”

Ultimately that may be an event for the future for the Falkirk athlete, who is clearly managing to combine his new life as a full-time IT worker with his passion for athletics.

“The main goals for me this summer will be the European Under 20s Championships (Estonia, July 15-18th),” added Elliott.

“That is the first target but nothing is guaranteed even though I have the qualifying time as the competition is really strong.

“Obviously I would like to go to the Worlds but for now I am just taking one event at a time.”

Elliott has raced four times on the track this summer and on each occasion has recorded a PB. In addition to his two 1500m times in the Saucony Grand Prix series he has also set a new best of 1:51.4 in the 800m and clocked a 4:04.02 mile.

That’s a terrific start to the season but he and coach William Sharp feel there is more to come.

“I would love to go sub 3mins 40secs and maybe Watford (the next Grand Prix on June 12th) will be my chance,” said Elliott.

So more to come but as for last weekend there was also the bonus of a £200 cheque from the BMC for breaking the junior record and did we forget to say that his time lifted Elliott fifth in the UK All-Time Rankings behind fellow Scotsman Graham Williamson (3:36.6), Jake Heyward (3:36.90), Niall Brooks (3:38.62) and a certain Steve Cram (3:40.09)?

It was a certainly a day that Elliott will never forget.

* It is also worth noting it is the second BMC record to go this summer with Jess Judd also setting an all-female 3000m time of 8:52.73 in the Gold Standard meeting at Birmingham University.

Tim Brennan

Tim Brennan

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