In the final Senior League meeting of the season Bolton Harriers produced a very strong track performance with lots of their premier runners on show. Bolton once again had the highest points on the track and if the club can work on getting more Field athletes out next season prospects will look very bright indeed.
Highlights on the day saw a Senior league debut appearance by Jake Harwood, a U17 sprinter from Les Hall’s sprint group. Looking a little worried beforehand, he soon blew away those nerves with a win in his opening event the 100m B race with a PB equalling time of 11.9 seconds. He backed up Ben To who just before had bolted home in convincing fashion to win the A race in 11.2 seconds. Both athletes then repeated the trick in the 200 metres with Jake clocking a pb.
In the Women’s sprints Hannah Kelly & Abi Adeniji matched their male counterparts achievements by winning both the 100 & 200m A and B races respectively in convincing fashion.
This was backed up by Olivia Kimbowa A and Katie Eckersley B in the 400m both winning their respective races handsomely taking maximum points. A seasons best from Katie just narrowly missing out on a sub 60 clocking in 60.4 seconds. This boded well for a Senior league 4x400m club record attempt later in the day.
Rebecca Reid showed her versatility competing well in the throws and long jump despite coming back from injury and she epitomised the team spirit in gaining valuable points.
In the middle distance events, Bolton welcomed back Jonny Kay from injury for his first senior outing and he won easily in a 800 & 1500m double. He was backed up with a 2nd place finish in the 800 B from Tony Valentine and Martin Reid in the 1500m as the two Harriers posted maximum points with Reid clocking 4.09.5 for a seasons best.
In the Women’s middle distance events Rachel Bailey had a storming finish in her 800m tracking a number of athletes to power past them in the last 100m to win the A race with a new PB of 2.22.1. She was backed up by the evergreen Cathy Flitcroft who wasn’t to be outdone posting a 4 seconds season best in a time of 2.44 dead.
Both athletes were obviously hungry for more and they repeated their excellent performances on the day with Rachel beating her 1500m previous best breaking 5 minutes for the first time in 4.59.6, and Cathy beating her age related Northern Masters record by 4 seconds again in a time of 5.35.5. A double double for both athletes !
In the longer races Bolton had another debutant in the women’s 3000m with U17 athlete Ruby Erzan-Essien taking 4th place with a new PB herself in 11.23. Beka Millington, who is currently in marathon training, came in with a very creditable 4th place in the B race with a time of 13.18.
In the Men’s 5000m, Tony Valentine doubling up from his earlier 800m race, took 2nd place in the A in 16.07 chased in by Tommy Harrison taking maximum points in the B in 16.16 with a seasons best on the track.
Brian Hall was imperious in the jumps especially the High Jump his specialist event, winning with a seasons best 1m 90 and clocking up excellent team points in the Triple Jump also winning the A with a leap of 12m 20 cms. Brian wasn’t finished there however as he came 2nd in the Long Jump A (5m 42cm) and he won the 110m Hurdles B. He was backed up by club chairman Scott Whittle, showing no ill effects from his recent stag night, winning the 110m hurdles A and Long Jump B. Scott had also won the 400m hurdles A race passing the Bury athlete after the last hurdle to take victory.
In the Women’s relays both the 4x100m and 4x400m teams were looking to try and take the win but also the club records.
The 4x100m team, including International representative Hannah Kelly and backed up by Abi Adeniji, Fola Fasehun and Olivia Kimbowa, went close but were denied a club record but still took a very easy victory in a time of 50.2 seconds.
The 4x400m women’s squad went one better not only winning but achieving a club senior record in a time of 4;01;09.Katie Eckersley ran the first leg bringing the baton back in first place with a good lead before handing over to Olivia Kimbowa. She extended the lead further before handing over to Rachel Bailey on 3rd leg who ran strongly to pass to Hannah Kelly on the last leg. The team by now were well away from the rest and Kelly brought the baton home to take the win by nearly 15 seconds!
Team Manager Scott Whittle was very pleased with the attitude, commitment and team Spirit of the athletes both on the day and throughout the season. He said “hopefully we can get the throws and field events stronger and more consistent next year, and the club will be looking for promotion and hopefully win the League. He also wished to thank the Timekeepers and Officials who volunteered for the club and without who we wouldn’t be able to compete in the events and also themselves gain massive points for the club in each match”.
