T & F Round-Up August 16th

Track and Field action over the weekend saw WGwEL athletes in action at the Crystal Palace Diamond League meeting, Saturday's LICC meeting at Parliament Hill, the Flanders Cup in Belgium, the Bedford International Games on Sunday where, in Bedford's usual blustery conditions, there was a welcome return to competitive action for Beijing Olympic finalist Jeanette Kwakye, and at Ashford in the Southern Inter-Counties Match.

On Friday evening at Crystal Palace both Graham Hedman and Nick Leavey, who will hope to catch the eye of the England Commonwealth Games selectors, competed over 400m in the "B" event at the Diamond League fixture. Graham, who was a member of the 4x400m relay squad in Barcelona, was not at his best, placing 8th in 47.10 secs; Nick maintained his recent consistency, placing 5th in 46.68 secs. In the 3000m s/ch Youcef Abdi, 6th in the Beijing Olympics and who will represent Australia in Delhi, placed 6th in 8m 31.87 secs. At the Flanders Cup meeting on Saturday in Kesselo, Belgium, Kiwi Para-Olympian Tim Prendergast had a super run as he placed 9th in the "B" 1500m, clocking a lifetime best of 3m51.37 secs.

Also on Saturday a number of WGwEL athletes competed at the LICC meting at Parliament Hill, and the performance of note was a personal best for Peter Kirabo in the triple jump of 13.81m.

Full LICC results here

On Sunday a number of Woodford athletes were in action at the Bedford International Games and, as usual at this venue, windy conditions prevailed, helping some, but hindering many other athletes. One who appeared to master the conditions was Simon Bennett, who placed a fine 6th in the javelin with a season's best of 64.67m. In the men's discus, Devon Douglas managed a useful 49.01m for 2nd with his one valid attempt. In a later discus competition which showcased Gerd Kanter winning in over 67m, Emeka Udechuku placed 6th with 58.74m. Another throwing well was Jo Duncan, only just below her season's best in the shot with 15.85m for 2nd. The jumpers found the blustery conditions caused problems with their run-ups. Stephanie Aneto, with two recent Commonwealth Games qualifying marks, was 4th with 12.94m (+0.7) in a triple jump won by the former world champion, Trecia Smith. In the men's event Prince Ezenwa was also 4th, with 14.60m (0.0), whilst in the long jump Ezekiel Ewulo was 6th with 7.10m (+0.8) and in the women's event Kim Murray was 5th with 5.87m. Ayamba Akim cleared 1.65m for 7th in the high jump. In the pole vault, Maria Seager equalled her best of an injury-troubled outdoor season, clearing 3.85m for 4th with HCA member Louise Shortland, 6th with 3.50m.

On the track, Dan Davis equalled his best ever over 110mH, placing 3rd in 14.17 secs (-0,6), and over 400mH Tracey Duncan was 2nd in 58.96 secs, with HCA member Emily Moss 6th in 62.69 secs. In the flat 400m Tara Bird placed 3rd with 55.00 secs, with HCA member Joanne Ryan 4th in 55.28 secs. In the men's 100m Jason Greenidge recorded 11.17 secs (-0.1) in the first race, and Tim Abeyie, after a poor start, 10.64 secs (-0.2) for 2nd , returning later to win the 200m with 21.07 secs (+0.2). The women's 100m saw Beijing Olympic finalist Jeanette Kwakye back in action for the first time this season, after two years of severe injury disruption. Jeanette placed 4th with 11.70 secs (+1.4) in a race won by another of Britain's top, but injury troubled sprinters, Abi Oyepitan.

Full BIG results here

At Ashford in the Southern Inter-Counties match, there was a fine personal best in the discus for Chris Linque as he placed 2nd with 49.85m, and also 2nd in the shot with 13.43m. James Wright was 3rd on the 400mH with 57.83 secs and 7th in the javelin with 45.97m. In the women's match, Rachel Giwa recorded a season's best over 200m for 2nd with 24.53 secs (+1.8), and Kathrine Foy was 3rd over 800m with 2m18.39 secs. Over 3000m, Kat Gundersen placed 7th with 10m46.99 secs. In the field, Sam Moodie was a good 2nd in the high jump with 1.70m, and Kirsty McIntosh 4th in the pole vault with 3.40m. In the throws there were wins for Hollie Redman with a personal best in the discus of 42.32m, and from Sarah Smith with 49.07m in the hammer, whilst sister Emma was 2nd in the javelin with 39.46m.