Manchester Sportcity Grand Prix – 1 June 2013 – Results

Races: 31
Finishers: 384
PB’s: 167 (43%)
Power of Ten: Here

Video
Available at athleticos.org – HERE

Photos
Photos from the meeting can be seen HERE

Courtesy of Adrian Royle

Qualifications

800m
European U20 Richard Charles 1:48.30
European U20 Loren Bleaken 2:05.18
World U18 Molly Long 2:06.30
World U18 Chelsea Jarvis 2:06.33
World U18 Emily Jenkinson 2:07.91

1500m
European U20 James McMurray – 3:43.08
European U20 Matt McLaughlin – 3:43.26
European U20 Shaun Wyllie – 3:44.19
European U20 Lewis Lloyd 3:46.72

3000m
World U8 Booby Clay – 9:24.99
World U18 Bronwen Owen – 9:30.50

5000m
European U23 John McDonnell – 13:57.19
European U20 Michael Callegari – 14:21.53
European U20 Emelia Gorecka – 15:35.82
European U23 Kate Avery – 15:49.41
European U20 Rebecca Weston 15;59.97
European U20 Alex Clay – 16:30.88

Report

Men’s 800 A-B RACES

Rory Graham-Watson said after his success that he refers to let his spikes do the talking and that is exactly what he did as he ran a personal best of 1:47.79 to win the A race.
“I don’t set public targets as it is easy to talk and harder to back it up,” said Graham-Watson.
“I am really surprised with that win as I was only a 1:48.9 man last season and I came unstuck a few times kicking from 300 metres out and then dying. I am paying the other guys more respect now and trying to hold something back for the finish although that last 20 metres was a bit of a blur.
“I have to be pleased with that as I beat some good guys who are quicker than me.”
Runner-up Oliver Aitchinson just missed the Euro U23 qualifying mark of 1:48.00 by 0.14secs as he also clocked a PB but in fourth Shaftesbury Barnet’s Richard Charles dipped under the European U20 qualifying standard of 1:49.00 with 1:48.30.
Joseph Maynard also surprised himself and coach – his dad Darrell – by running a PB of 1:48.28 in third having raced the previous Thursday evening in Riga and admitting to being jaded before the start.
In eighth Tonbridge junior Sean Molloy fell short of the 1:49 qualifying – though he did it last year with his PB of 1:48.24 – as he clocked 1:50.30.
Paul Bradshaw, who was prominent up the back straight, failed to finish with coach Maynard explaining that he was jet-lagged and feeling jaded after a long trip home from a few days earlier.
The B race saw a tremendous tussle between Jake Wightman and Chris Warburton. Drawing on his experience Warburton attempted to ease his way through on the inside after Wightman had taken the race by the scruff of the neck in the last 200m.
But the 18-year-old’s boldness and confidence, which must be sky-high after his recent PB of 3:43.74 to go third on the UK U20 Rankings, was rewarded with top spot although both runners were awarded the same time of 1:49.27. For Wightman it was a PB by over two seconds as he broke 1:50 for the first time.
“That is my first proper 800m and I will take that time any day,” said Wightman.
Further back Carl Hill and Louis Rawlins were also rewarded with new PBs.

C-H RACES
There were season’s bests of 1:51.82 and 1:52.17 for Graeme Oudney and Mark Patterson respectively in the C race while in the D race fast-finishing Luke Betts clocked a season’s best of 1:52.24 to overhaul 19-year-old Jamie Webb, who was rewarded with a PB of 1:52.68. There was also PB of 1:53.09 for Daniel Gurton in fourth.
“That’s my best race so far this season as I was really disappointed with my performance at Solihull,” said Betts
Cameron Boyek showed a welcome return to form with a season’s best of 1:51.96 to easily win the E race and put behind him his recent problems.
“I had a nightmare winter as a stress response injury to my right tibia kept me out of training for three months,” said Boyek.
“It is great to be back and for 700 metres I felt really strong tonight. My targets for this season had been the European U23 Championships and trying to get the Scottish qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games next year but after the injury that changed.
“I’m not sure if I will be fit enough for the trials yet so we’ll have to wait and see.”
In the F race there was a PB of 1:53.04 for winner Jamaine Coleman while Tom Watson also recorded a PB of 1:52.04 to win the G race with Grant Muir sealing a Scottish one-two.
But Ryan Buck found that a PB of 1:55.36 wasn’t quite enough to beat Oliver James in the H race.

WOMEN’S 800M
The ethos of the BMC races was not better exemplified than by teenager Loren Bleaken in the 800m A race. The 17-year-old tracked the pacemaker to reach the bell in 59 seconds with the pack somewhat adrift.
Left on her own for the second lap Bleaken dug deep and kept her form, though understandably tiring in the final 100 metres, to win with a season’s best time of 2:05.18.
That it was just a fraction off her PB of 2:04.59 set at the BMC regional race in Exeter last July was irrelevant because on Saturday Bleaken’s mission had been to run under the European U20 qualifying standard of 2mins 06secs.
“I did what I came here to do and I am so happy,” said a beaming Bleaken who just couldn’t stop smiling.
The chasing pack certainly benefitted from Bleaken’s brave tactics as they fought amongst themselves to not only close the gap but produce a number of top performances.
Runner-up was Carolyn Plateau with a season’s best of 2:06.06 and the next three girls were all rewarded with PBs – 20-year-old Rebecca Linney clocked 2:06.25 in third, 16-year-old Molly Long smashed her PB and dripped well inside the World Youth qualifying of 2:08 with 2:06.30 and 17-year-old Chelsea Jarvis clocked 2:06.33 in fifth.
Long’s time cements her place at the top of the UK U17 Rankings and puts her in with a great chance of being selected for the GB team to travel to the Ukraine next month. The teenager from Padstow in Cornwall, boasted a PB of 2:09.44 in 2012 and this summer she has bettered that with 2:08.62 in Solihull and now 2:06.30.
“I can’t believe I ran that fast, I’m thrilled with that run,” said Long as she celebrated with Bleaken
There was a Norwegian one-two in the B race with both girls recording personal bests with 19-year-old Birmingham University student Sarah McDonald also running a PB of 2:07.29 in third.
C-E RACES
Southampton 16-year-old Emily Jenkinson won the C race in a PB of 2:07.91 with 17-year-old Georgie Hartigan third, also in a lifetime best of 2:08.08. Sandwiched in-between was 22-year-old Jenny Tan with a season’s best of 2:07.91 on her return from injury.
Dartford Harriers’ Megan Edwards was an emphatic winner of the D race in a PB of 2:09.40 while the E race saw a terrific duel between Banchory Stonehaven’s Kelsey Stewart and Norwich athlete Kelly Rushton, with the 16-year-old from Scotland prevailing by just 0.03secs as both runners claimed PBs.
“That’s a huge PB for me by three seconds as I normally race over 300m and 400m,” said Stewart. “But 800m could be the future for me.”
The F race witnessed another PB for 15-year-old Middlesbrough athlete Philippa Stone.

MEN’S 1500M
Philip Hurst struck hard in the final 300 metres to overhaul Steve Mitchell, who had followed the pacemaker and claim a notable victory in a personal best time of 3:41.10. Not that the 22-year-old Elswick athlete as overly happy with his performance.
“I’m gutted as I wanted 3:39,” said Hurst.
Still, he shouldn’t feel too disappointed as he did produce a PB, claimed some decent scalps and also inspired the next four runners behind him to also record PBs.
“It was also my first win in a Grand Prix A race so that’s not bad,” added Hurst.
Cardiff’s Tom Marshall, just back from Tulsa University n America, was runner-up with 3:41.87 and Richard Weir third on 3:42.25. There were also PBs for Eoin Everard and Darren McBrearty while in seventh 18-year-old James McMurray improved his best again to 3:43.08 from 3:45.65 in Solihull.
That is the fastest time outdoors by a British U20 athlete this season and significantly McMurray just beat fellow junior Matt Mclaughlin who is top of the rankings by virtue of his indoor best.
Both runners will go head-to-head in the U20 trials at Bedford in what should be an intriguing contest.
An impressive tally of nine PBs from 14 finishers was completed by Alex Cornwell, Liam Markham and Andrew Buchart.
Joining McMurray and Mclaughlin in the European U20 trials will be 18-year-old Shaun Wylie of Bracknell, who enhanced his credentials with a PB of 3:44.19 to win the B race, carving over four seconds from his previous best set a month ago in Watford.
Six of the next seven runners recorded PBs including 3:45.00 for 22-year-old Andrew Heyes in fourth.
C-F RACES
Alex Tovey crashed to the track at the finish of the C race but had done enough to hold off fast-finishing Dan Studley for victory.
“I felt strong until that last 10 metres when my legs just went,” said Tovey. “But that was only a fraction off my PB (3:45.58) so it shows I am in decent shape and it is now about time I broke my PB.”
After a disappointing race at Solihull Studley was delighted with his PB of 3:45.76 as were the next three – Steven Fennell, Richard Morrell and Lewis Lloyd – who all recorded lifetime bests.
Lloyd’s was the most significant as the 19-year-old time was inside the European U20 qualifying standard – the eighth British junior to achieve that this summer.
Border’s Kevin Bell led seven more PBs in the D race as he ran 3:48.92 and Mansfield’s Stuart King won the E race with the trio of Nicholas Lingley, Ryan Moore and Luke Johnston all puled to PBs behind him.
Vale Royal’s 17-year-old Michael Vennard, who is coached by former British international Andy Carter, won the F race in a PB of 3:55.74 with the top four also clocking lifetime bests while the top seven all broke four minutes.
Finally in the G race of the 15 runners there were seven PBs and six season’s bests, including winner Jack Nixon with the 19-year-old from Stockport just missing his PB by 0.11secs.

WOMEN’S 1500M
Irish international Laura Crowe of the An Riocht club has been better known as an 800m runner in the past but is now making a serous step up to the 1500m. On the evidence of Saturday it is proving a good decision as she smashed her PB to win the A race with 4:12.25.
“I moved up to 1500m last year and things are going really well for me,” said Crowe, who is based in Cork.
“It is still new territory for me but I am making progress and I am hoping I might get into the Ireland team for the European Cup.”
Morag MacLarty was disappointed with 4:14.74 in second having enjoyed a big gap over Crowe at one stage but 23-year-old Rachael Bamford pleased with PB of 4:16.38 in third.
“I have been trying to get the Scottish qualifying time of 4:10.5 for the Commonwealth Games and that should be well within me but it is just not happening at the moment,” said MacLarty.
“I am very disappointed as I am in better shape than that.”
Fresh from completing her first year at Columbia University Bristol & West AC’s Olivia Sadler produced a strong finish to win the B race in 4:27.70 but the 19-year-old needs quicker to challenge for the European U20s qualifying standard of 4:20 as her season’s best is 4:27.09 compared to her 2012 PB of 4:23.38.
“I was looking for a quicker time but at least I got something out of the race as it was good to win,” said Sadler.
Guernsey’s Sarah Mercier was second in 4:28.69 and in third Samantha Johnson recorded a PB of 4:29.30. There were also PBs for 15-year-old Warrington runner Harriet Knowles-Jones in fourth with a time of 4:29.43 that clipped virtually two seconds off her best and lifted her to second on the UK Rankings and 19-year-old Molly Renfer in fifth (4:29.85).
The top four in the C race all clocked PBs with Derby’s Natalie Shaw winning in 4:30.35 from Tamara Armoush (4:31.65), 15-year-old Hannah Nuttall (4:32.87) and 17-year-old Tessa McCormick (4:33.55).

WOMEN’S 5000M

In her first race since finishing 16th in the Under 20s age group at the World Cross Country Championships in Poland 19-year-old Emelia Gorecka won the A race in a time of 15:35.82 to just miss her PB of 15:34.21 which she in the BMC Watford Grand Prix last year.
“I really surprised myself tonight as I didn’t think I was that fit,” said Gorecka.
Gorecka showed strength, a good turn of speed and no little determination on the final lap to clinch a morale-boosting victory. Having relinquished the lead at the bell when Poland runner Dominika Nowakowska overtook her Gorecka responded immediately to forge clear down the back straight and finished very strongly to suggest a big PB is within reach in the near future.
Nowakowska ran a PB of 15:38.30 in second and there was a season’s best of 15:39.47 for Laura Whittle in third.
Among an impressive 16 PBs and six SBs from a field of 22 runners 21-year-old Kate Avery ran a season’s best of 15:49.41 which was inside the European U23 qualifying mark of 16:05 while 18-year-old Rebecca Weston’s PB of 15:59.97 was a European U20 standard as was Alex Clay’s 16:30.88.
Just behind her marathon runner Alyson Dixon showed good speed with a PB of 16:00.10.
Within the 5000m was incorporated a 3000m race, complete with electronic timing, to give Bobby Clay and Bronwen Owen the chance to achieve the qualifying time of 9mins 35secs for the World U18 Championships in the Ukraine.
Both 16-year-olds relished that opportunity with Clay pushing to the front of the field in the closing stages to cross the line in 9:24.99.
“I knew I had to push the pace hard and I am delighted to run a PB by 10 seconds and I really enjoyed the race,” said Clay.
Owen finished just behind with a PB of 9:50.50 as the pair went to the top of the UK Rankings.

MEN’S 5000M
Jonathan Taylor took some satisfaction in winning the A race with a personal best of 13:55.80 but the 25-year-old feels he is under-achieving on the track at the moment.
His winning margin of 1.39sec does not reflect his dominance as he led by 50 metres at one stage before his long, solo run took its toll in the closing two laps and both 21-year-old John McDonnell (13:57.19) and Stephen Scullion, with a PB of 13:58.55, closed him down.
“I started quick behind the pacemaker and felt good but then I had to go out on my own and felt that in the last two laps,” said Taylor.
“To be honest I was hoping for 13:45 this evening but I can’t be too disappointed. I’ll stick to the steeplechase at the trials but I was very disappointed with my run at Loughborough.”
There were 11 PBs from the 22 finishers, the most notable of which was 18-year-old Michel Callegari, whose time of 14:21.53 in 17th was inside the European U20 qualifying standard of 14:25.00.
There were PBs for the B & C race winners with 20-year-old William Gray clocking 14:25.17 to win the former and 22-year-old Sean Fontana 14:46.88 the latter.

WOMEN’S 3000M STEEPLECHASE
The eight women who turned up for the steeplechase were all rewarded with personal bests. Sweden’s 19-year-old Maria Larsson set the tone as she sped to a new national U20 record of 9:56.50 which must mark her out as a genuine medal contender at the European Juniors.
Tipton’s Saran Benson was runner-up in 10:23.31 and 18-year-old Katie ingle of Royal Sutton Coldfield ran 10:31.47 in fourth, a time that was only just outside the European u20 qualifying mark of 10:30.