NEWS AND RESULTS

Newcomer Claudia, came 4th in the B l00m (14.4s) and 6th in the A 200nr(32.6s

In the U-13 girls long jump Eloise Loft came fourth in the A l00m (3.83m). Eloise Loft set two new PBs in coming 4th in the A l00m (l4.4s) and 4th in the 70m hurdles (12.9s)

Non-scoring athletes Claudia Lee, Millie Smith and Sade Akinkumni leapt 3.93m, 3.76m and 3.57m respectively. Sade was fifth in the A 800m (2:47.8) and the A shot put (4.l4m). Millie cut her personal best (PB) by four seconds when she came 6th in the B 200m in 31.8s. She also completed ‘the 800m in 3:01.1 as a non-scoring athlete.

In the U-l5 girls, middle-distance runner Marleen Avontuur was 5th in the A 200m (29.0s), 4th in -the A 300m (46.4s) and 2nd in the B javelin (12.72m), achieving PBs in all three events.

Eleanor Moss set a PB of 5.68m in the A shot, came 4th in the A javelin (18.70m) and 5th in the A discus (14.22m). Hope Hawkins also set a PB of 14.2s in the A l00m (5th) and came 4th in the B shot put (4.96m).

Lauren Foster set a PB of 4. l9m in the long jump ‘and came 5th in the A l00m (13.7s).

What was encouraging for Harlow was that the club managed to field athletes in more events than on any other occasion this season. Elsewhere, there was an outstanding run from 11-year-old Harlow-based athlete Canaan Solomon in his first 800m race on the track. The Fawbert and Barnard pupil placed third in an impressive 2 mins 28.8, a time that placed him second in the East Region rankings for U-12s behind the outstanding 11-year-old from Southend, Laurence Winchmore.

There is prize money as well so I’m hoping to dowel! I’m confident I will finish in the top three.’
Anne and Richard will be training hard throughout the winter on the cycle tracks around Harlow, but Anne wishes locals treated them with more respect. She said, I am so pleased to have such good cycle tracks in Harlow I can train on except when yobs have thrown bottles down and I get a puncture. We have great facilities but people smash glasses on them and it’s dangerous. I have had quite a few punctures and they can’t be repaired which is disappointing. If Harlow people knew how important these cycle tracks were to the whole community they would be sensible and put their bottles in the bin.

ACE middle-distance runner Andrew Osagie will be keeping his fingers crossed that he is selected for the England Athletics squad for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in India.

The selection for October’s event is due to be announced on Monday morning and the 22-year-old 800m runner from Northfields in Harlow has never competed at the Commonwealth Games before.

Osagie had been ruled out for more than three months with a hip injury and a bone stress fracture in his left foot but has now fully recovered. Since coming back from this injury he has twice clocked under the UK qualifying time (1 mm 47.50 sec) in late July and August for the Commonwealth Games which will take place in Delhi. He clocked 1:47.18 and 1:47.49 in two races at the British Milers Club Gold Standard meeting in Watford, finishing second in the final. Osagie said: “I have done the qualifying time twice. I have shown current form. “As far as getting selected [for the Commonwealth Games] it’s up to them [England Athletics].

He added: “I have done all I can in the time I have been back. There are other racers who have earned the right [to be selected] and have done well all season. In his last race at Parliament Hills Field track in North West London on Saturday, Osagie was handicapped by a slow pacemaker and the wind and rain as he clocked 1:49.0. The pacemaker was slow in this race and I made a move 250 metres out [from the finish] and finished well,” said Osagie.

YOUNG athletes from Harlow were celebrating huge success at the Essex County Championships.
Four golds, three silvers and three bronze medals were gained in total despite chilly conditions at Melbourne Park in Chelmsford at the weekend. Four fourth places were also achieved. Essex coaching secretary John Stow, from Harlow, said: “This is an excellent set of results from Harlow athletes who are all very dedicated to our sport. ‘Harlow has not seen a set of results like this for many years now.

Markus Hunt, recovering from a shin stress fracture that has kept him out of training for three months, was first in the senior men’s 400m (50.11 s). Kirsty McIntosh (22) won the senior women’s pole vault (3.40m), booking her place in the Essex team for the CAU Inter Counties Championships later this month.

Passmores School student Alfie Falconer (11) won the U-13 boys hammer with a personal best (PB) throw of 26.67m, while his older brother Billy (17) from Harlow College was second in the U-20 high jump (1.95m).

Tom Richards (17), a St Mark’s School pupil, claimed silver in the U-20 javelin with a PB of 51.42m.
His school colleague Amy Larkin (17) grabbed bronze in the U-20 hammer (25.llm), while Alexandra Hill earned a bronze in the U-20 women’s 400m (59.6s, PB) and then came 4th in the 200m (26.1 is, PB).
Sophie Fuhr (16) a Burnt Mill School student, was third in the U-l7girls 400m in 1min 1 .86s.

Burnt Mill School mate Perry Rowan (13) was 4th in the U-15 boys 3km race in 10:14. He is tanked 6th in the
Eastern Region. Mark Hall School student Tyler Bown (15) was fourth in the tightly-contested U-I7 boys 400m final in 53.6s.

Harlow Athletics Club member Isobel Moss (14) achieved an excellent 4th spot in the U-15 girls 3km event with
a PB of 11:55. Tom Larkin (17) Harlow College student, was 4th in the U-20 400m in 52.5s, but MarkHall’s Alicia McArdell 12 was a victim of some unfair pushing during her 800m heat but still recorded 2:42 to come 9th in the U-13 girls event: Sixteen-year-old Sam Benge (Stewards) came 5th in his U-17 boys 800m heat with a PB of 2:08.9. In the U-17 boy 3km race, Benge was 11th in a PB of 9:58.

“It wasn’t fantastic times as it’s a fairly slow track for wheelchairs, but I was really pleased with the way it went.” Despite her medal haul, Anne won’t be resting on her laurels. “My first 20m are not good and I’m going to be working on them with my coach Ken Day. In sprint racing you cant afford to lose one metre, so once we get that 20m right, we will be laughing.” Anne’s next event is another Disability Challenge at Crystal Palace on August 15. “I’m really looking forward to that and am hopeful of doing well again. I just love getting out there and competing.”

The nine-year-old Molly put in a terrific performance as she took the gold medal and shattered the championship best time in the process.
Molly started towards the back of the 14-strong field over the first l00m before taking advice from her coach to move up on the straight, and with 400m to go she surged into fourth place.

Down the back straight with 300m remaining Molly eased into third and, then second with the Midland champion still 10 metres clear.
Over the final 200m Molly drew level with the leader coming into the home straight and a tremendous sprint finish saw the Harlow youngster claim a new personal best by seven seconds.

MIDDLE-distance runner Andrew Osagie has not given up hope of gaining selection for the Commonwealth Games in India despite being ruled out by injuries for the last four months.

The 22-year-old from Northfields, Harlow, was first in the 800m at the McCain City Challenge in Sheffield in February in1:53.18. This was before he clocked 1:47.40 and 1:51.29 respectively in the heats and semi-fmal of the 800m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar in March.

Harlow Athletics Club member Osagie, a highly gifted athlete who has been mentored by former gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes, has since been dogged by a hip injury and then by a bone stress injury in his left foot. He said: “I hurt my foot a week before the European trials at Birmingham [in June]. It was a knock-on effect [from the last injury].” Osagie, who has just graduated with a 2:2 Sports Science degree from St Mary’s College in Twickenham, knows he faces a race against time if he is to compete in India. He has never competed at the Commonwealth Games as he was only 18 when the last one was held in Melbourne, Australia, four years ago.

I hope to race in Sweden in an open meeting in 10 days’ time. I need to get other races in and there is still time before the Commonwealth Games selection is made on August 17,” he said. “I need to race well enough against other English athletes. I need to be doing around one mins 47.5 secs. I did 1:47.1 last year.”

In the A javelin, Eleanor threw 12.89m to come 6th. Although only in her first year of athletics and being an U-13 athlete, Sade Aldnkunmi (11) came 4th in the U-15A 800m (her first competitive outdoor 800m) in 2:43.7. Her previous best indoor time had been 2:53.3.

Harlow Athletics Club team finished last in an Eastern Young Athletes League meeting, But could draw comfort from some top mdi-vidual performances. There were many familiar faces missing for Sundays meeting at Thurrock which saw Matthew Morgan shine as the stand out Harlow athlete. He set two personal bests (PBs) in the U-13 boys l00m and 200m races. Matthew cuped well with the presstwe in his first race as an A string athlete in the l00m and won with a PB of 13.5s.

He then went on to come second in the A 200m with a PB of 29.ls. Joe Walker also did well. He set PBs of 14.7s in the B l00m (3rd) and threw 1 l.65m in the discus. (5th), while his best per-formance came in the shot put where he came third with a PB of 7.52m (3rd). In the U-15 boys category, Jack Reed was narrowly beaten to the line in the A 200m (2nd), despite running a fast 25.4s and was only O.ls outside of his PB to run 12.5s in the A l00m (5th). Jonathan Wilson came third in the B 200m in 26.7s (3rd) and ran 13.7s in the l00m B race (5th).
Sixteen-year-old Tom Baines cleared 1 .40m in the A high jump (4th) and threw 7.52m in the A shot put for 5th.

Rosie Poole and Marleen Avontuur were the only two girls compet-ing for the club. Rosie continued her improving form with a leap of 3.33m in the long jump (4th), giving her a third PB in her third con-secutive match. Despite the heat, she also ran a PB of 2:48.6 in the SOOm (3rd). She was 5th in the A discus (8.74m). Maricen came third in the U-iS girls discus (20.62m) and 6th in the A javelin.

TEN Harlow pupils helped Woodford Green to second place in the Premiership Young Athletes meeting at Kingston Upon Thames on Sunday. The result moves the club up to sixth in Premier League.

Training partners Sam Benge, 16, of Stewards School, and Perry Rowan, 13, of Burnt Mill School, were both worthy winners. Perry won the under 15 boys 1500 metres in a new personal best time of 4mm 45sec, whilst Sam strode to victory in the U17 men’s 3k in 10mm l8sec.

Earlier Sam came second in the 800m in 2mm 8sec, and, after the 3k, placed second in the 1500m steeplechase (his first ever) in 5mm 9sec. Alicia McArdell, 12, of MarkHall School, came third in the U13 girls 1200m in 4mm ilsec, which places her 4th in the East Region rankings. Amelia Barrett, 13, of Burnt Mill School, came second in the U15 girls 1500m in 5mm 29sec. Lauren Freeman, 16, from Passmores School, finished second in the U17 3k in 12mm l9sec. Tyler Bown, 15, of Mark Hall School, placed third in the U17 400m in 52.7sec. Sky Mulvey, 12, also from Mark Hall School, came second in the B string U13 girls 1200m in 4mm 25sec. Sophie Fuhr, 16, from Burnt Mill School, finished second in the U17 women’s 300m hurdles.

Charlotte Taylor, 12, from Harlow but competing for Herts and Essex, placed third in the U13 girls 75m in 11.5sec and fourth in the 150m in 23.3sec. James Palmer, 15, of Mark Hall School, finished third in the U17 high jump with a personal best of 1.50m. He also came third in the shot putt with a distance of 10.40m and fifth in the triple jump with a best jump of 10.05m.

• SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Tom Richards from St Mark’s School, Harlow, competed in the UK Under 20 Championships at Bedford. Tom was placed in an excellent ninth position out of 15 in the javelin competition with a best throw of 50.71m.

TWELVE-year-old Harlow AC member Matthew Morgan has had two l00m races to remember in the last week. On Thursday at his school sports day, he broke a 22-year-old Year 7 l00m record at Mark Hall by running 12.78sec with a slight following wind.

At Thurrock on Sunday he enjoyed another emphatic victory, this time representing his club as he stormed to victory into a strong headwind, running the l00m in 13.5sec. A very late change of venue from Basildon to Thurrock did not help Harlow AC with some of their athletes going to the old venue and only seven athletes reaching the changed venue. Matthew nearly made it a sprint double, just being edged out on the last stride in the 200m as the Harlow lad clocked 29.lsec.

Eleven-year-old Rosie Poole, the reigning Harlow Schools crosscountry champion, ran a PB over 800m in the under 13 girls, placing fourth in 2mins 48.6sec. Rosie claimed a second PB in the long jump. securing fifth place with 3.33m.
In the under 13 boys Joe Walker, 12, placed a fine third in the shot putt with a new PB of 7.52m, and took third spot in the B-string l00m in l4.7sec. In the under 15s Jack Read returned from injury to secure fifth place in the A-string l00m in 12.5sec and second in the A-string 200m in 25.4sec.

Jonathan Wilson was fifth in the B-string l00m in 13.7sec and third in the B-string 200m in 26.7sec. In the under 17s Tom Haines placed fourth in the high jump with 1.40m, while in a non-scoring under 15 boys l00m, Slav Ribstuck ran a fine race to win in 13.5sec. Harlow placed seventh with 70 points.

Meanwhile, at an open me Woodford last Tuesday, Mattilda Attridge, nine, Harlow AC scored a fine win in the under 11 150m in 25.78se training partner Lauren nine, placing third in 26.37sec. Phobee Fuhr from Harlow won the under 11 75m in ll.88sec. At Ilford in a Southern Men's League Division One, l7-y Dan Yaxley scored a fine victory for his club Woodford Green winning the 800m in 2mins 03.4sec.

Harlow athlete Markus Hunt’s comeback after several months out due to injury is going to plan after a fine performance on Saturday in a British League Division Three match at Hendon.
Representing Southend AC, the 19-year-old former Passmores pupil was third in the A-string 400m in 49.58sec.

Another Harlow athlete in impressive form is 23-year-old Kirsty McIntosh. She won the B-string pole vault for her club Woodford Green in the UK Premier League at Birmingham, with a leap of 3.40m.
In the Southern Men’s League Division One at Wormwood Scrubbs, Harlow athletes Tom Richards, 17, and DanYaxley, 17, were representing their club Woodford Green. Tom was first in the javelin with 49.89m and Dan Yaxley was third in the B-string 800m in 2min 1.6sec.
Meanwhile, Harlow AC placed sixth at Luton on Sunday in the Eastern Young Athletes League with 133 points.

In the under 15s boys event the 4x100m relay team took third in 52.3sec. Jack Read ran 12.6sec for fourth in the A-string l00m and Jonathan Wilson was third in the B-string in 12.9sec.
Read placed third in the A-string 200m in 25.lsec and Walker second in the 200m with 26.4sec.
In under 13 girls Maria Agaye was sixth in the A-string l00m in 15.4sec, fifth in the 70m hurdles in 14.3 sec and fourth in the long jump with 3.30m.

Rosie Pole took fourth in the A-string 800m in 2min 53.2sec and fourth in the long jump in 2.92m. Rachel Jolley was fourth in the B-string 800m in 3mm 12 sec and Emma Martin leapt 3.02m in the long jump. In the under 15 event Isobel Moss produced three PBs. In the A-string 800m with 2min 39.9sec for third, 51.9sec for fifth in the A-string 300m and 3.82m for fifth in the A-string long jump. Sister Eleanor Moss was fifth in the A- string shot putt with 5.42m, second in the A-string discus with 13.18m and sixth in the A-string javelin with 13.86m.

On Tuesday night Harlow AC under 11s performed with great distinction in an open meeting at Woodford.
Molly Gardner won the 600m in 2min 12.7sec and the 75m in an impressive 11.85sec. 10-year-old
Christian Barker won the boys 600m in 2min 08sec and sister Lauren was second in the 600m in 2min 22sec.

The Paralympic hopeful was up against international stars at the British Wheelchair Athletic Association event at Stoke Mandeville, London.
Richard came fourth in the 100 metres, setting a time of 14.89-see, and fourth in the 400m in 53 55see
The results move him up to second in the UK over100m and third over 400m. Richard said:

THEY may have finished last but Harlow Athletics Club youngsters set a clus-ter of personal bests (PBs) in an Eastern League match at St Albans. Harlow only fielded 12 athletes in Sunday’s sun-kissed meeting which saw excellent performances from Jack Reed. He came 4th in the 200m with a PB of 24.7s, putting him just outside the top l0in the U-l5 boys in Essex. Jack was also 4th in the l00m with a PB of 12.4s.

In the same age group, Jonathan Wilson came second in the B-string 200m race in 26.5s and also clocked 12.9s in the B l00m. Connor Peck set three PBs. These were in the 400m (1:12), 800m (2:51.2) and in the high jump (l.35m). Luke Redding came second in the 100m non-scoring race in13.6s.

He and Jack, Jonathan and Connor came fifth in the U-15 boys 4xl00m relay in 53.4s. Jamie Rushworth claimed three PBs. His 16.5s in the U-13 boys 75m hurdles, when he came third, was a 1.9 second improvement. Jamie also improved his PB in the long jump by 44cm to 3.82m and shaved 2.4s off his 800m time to 2:47.8. He finished 4th in the U-13 boys category.

In the A-string 800m, Joe Bailey improved his PB by a massive 7.2s to come 5th in 2:43.0s.
He also set a new PB of 14.6s in the 100m B race. Sherman Boldizsar improved in all his events. He clocked 31.ls and was 5th in the A 200m, came 5th in the l00m A race (14.8s) and was 4th in the high jump (1 .25m).

For the girls, a confident performance came from Marleen Avontuur who led the field through most of the U-15 800m race before coming third in a PB of 2:27.1. She then went on to improve her 200m time by 0.8s when she was fifth in the A race. Marlene was also third in the A discus (22.09m). In her first competitive match; Emily Hall came 5th in the A 75m hurdles in 20.8s and was 6th in the A l00m (15.2s) and 5th in the B 800m (2:57.3s).

Eloise Lou took 4th places in all her events and set a PB of 14.2s in the 70m hurdles, a PB by 13cm in the long jump with a leap of 3.73m and clocked 15.4s in the l00m. Marie Agyare took third place in her first shot put competition with a throw of 6.26m and ran l00m in 15.3s to come 4th in the B race:

Versatile Rosie Poole started her competition with a 17cm improvement in her long jump to 3.29m and followed this up with a 2:54.4 time in the 800m to come 5th. She finished with a third in the B discus (10.70m).

JOSHUA Steel smashed the Harlow Athletics Club record for the U-13 boys shot put when he competed at the Eastern Young Athletes League meeting in Cambridge.
He miproved his personal best (PB) by 1.05m when he threw 10.21m and in doing so broke the club record by O.71m on Sunday. Joshua is ranked 11th in the UK for the event. He also won the A-string I00m (13.3s) and the A high jump (1.35m).

Fine athieticism was also shown by Max Steele who cleared 1.65m in the U-15 boys A high jump (2nd) and leapt 5.32m (3rd) in the A long jump. “It is fantastic to have two athletes at very different stages of their career do so well in one weekend and break two club records which were already of a high standard,” said Harlow AC president and coach Nat Fisher. Several other personal bests (PBs) were set by Harlow athletes at the meeting.

In the U-13 boys, Jordan Hook-Egharevba set a PB of l4.6s in the B l00m (3rd) and both Joe Bailey and Richard Walker set PBs of 3 mins 7.4 secs (4th, A) and 3:14.7 (3rd, B), respectively for the 800m. U-15 Kirahn Blake set a ‘PB of l:35m in the B high jump (2nd) and l3.3s in the A l00m (6th).

In the U-13 girls, Eleanor Moss set PBs in the A 200m (35.6s, 5th) and A discus (13.67m, 4th), while her sister Isobel (U-15) set PBs for A 300m (52.7s-, 5th) and the A 800m (2:42.1, 5th). Harlow came fifth in the match.

SEVEN local athletes helped Woodford Green & Essex Ladies to a fine second place in the final ‘match of
the Southern Premier Junior League (U-20s) at the Lee Valley Stadium in Picketts Lock, North London.
Billy Falconer made another big step to his recovery from injury with a fine third place in the A high jump
(1.95m). Debutants Sophie Fuhr (15) and Lauren Freeman (15) both did well.

Sophie was 5th in the A 400m hurdles (70.7s), third in the B 400m (62.4s) and then ran 61.8s in helping the 4x400m relay team to 4th. Lauren came in as a last minute replacement and completed the B l,500m steeplechase in 6:44.9 for third. Daniel Yaxley was 7th in the A 2km steeplechase (6:58), while North Weald’s Jess Docking (18) came 6th in the A 3km steeplechase ‘(l2mins 14s) and 4th in the A l,500m steeplechase (6:14).

Amy Larkin (16) threw 28.64m in a non-scoring hammer event. Kathrine Foy (18) was 5th in the B l00m (13.Os), 5th in the B 200m (27.7s) and third in the A 400m (60.0s), before running a sub-60 second 400m time in the 4x400m relay, helping her club to fourth place. In an open meeting at Watford, Jordan Harvey (14) from Harlow’s St Mark’s School, shattered his PBs for l00m and 200m with times of l2.26s and 24.87s respectively. Lauren Freeman also beat her PB over l,500m by ‘10 sec¬onds (5:33).

HARLOW ATHLEITCS CLUB ALL ABILITY EVENT.

EASTERN REGION ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE 2010

A team of young Harlow athletes with special needs brought home a bagful of gold, silver and bronze medals after a successful trip to a prestigious regional tournament held at Melbourne Park Athletics Centre in Chelmsford on Saturday 15th May.

Twenty three athletes from the Harlow competed in the East Regional Disability Athletics Championships, sponsored by Nationwide Over 240 competitors from all over the East Region took part and the Harlow team clocked up an impressive total of 70 medals, 34 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze medals between them.

The Harlow squad, which included wheelchair users, cerebral palsy and spina bifida sports people and athletes with moderate and severe learning disabilities, competed in a range of track and field events. (see results attached)

Many members of the team, who are aged between 10 and 34, achieved personal bests in time and distance across a range of sporting disciplines.

Helen Offord, Harlow Council’s Sport’s Development Officer, said: “Our team performed brilliantly and all the coaches and parents of our athletes are very proud of our athletes and team.”

Kathy Fuller, whose son Antony is a member of the Harlow AC squad, said: “The competitors all absolutely loved it and I know it is really a high spot in the whole year for them.”

Successful athletes achieving qualifying standard in these championships will be invited to represent the Eastern Region in the Disability Sports Events National Junior Athletics Championships on the 3rd to 4th July taking place at Blackpool, and the Mencap Championships in Manchester 26th June and the London Disability Challenge at Crystal Place 15th August and the Cerebral Palsy Sport National Athletics Championships on 18th September at Nottingham.

Anyone interested in training with Harlow Athletics Club’s All Ability section should come along on Monday nights 5.30pm to 6.30pm for 10 to 14 year olds and 6.30pm to 7.30pm for 15 year olds to adults, or call Helen Offord Sports Development Officer for Harlow Council for more information

HARLOW ATHLEITCS ALL ABILITY EVENT AT MARK HALL

SPORT CENTRE, LONDON ROAD HARLOW

In the senior men’s category Oliver Minns from (Panthers) came 1st, Dean Harvey (Harlow) 2nd place, and 3rd place Andrew Davis (Panthers). The Women’s category was won by Jessica Lake (Panthers), 2nd place Isobel Stevenson (Uttlesford) and 3rd place was Charmain Thorpe (Harlow). In the Junior category 1st place was Andrew Davis (Panthers), Mike Hayes (Epping) and Matthew Foulger (Panthers) joint 2nd and Jordan Wright came 4th from Harlow, In the Girls events Isobel Stevenson (Uttlesford) 1st place, Charmain Thorpe (Harlow) 2nd place and Amy Howkins (Harlow) came 3rd. In the team events The Challenge Cup Harlow was won by Orwell Panthers with Epping Sportability 2nd and Harlow Athletics Club All Ability 3rd Gold Silver and bronze medals and participant certificates were presented to the athletes by Anne Strike, a Great Britain Paralympian racing wheelchair athlete.

A big thanks was passed on to the funding partners Children and Young People Strategic Services, sportessex and Boshier-Hinton foundation, plus to Harlow Athletics Club and their excellent instructors. The competition was organised by Sports Development Harlow Council with officials helping from Harlow Athletics Club, Epping Sportability and Leisure Staff from Harlow Council., and First Aid was covered by St John’s Ambulance Cadets section. Sports Development Officer Helen Offord, explained that the reason this day was run was because there is a need in Essex for people with a disability to get more competitive opportunities to compete and show their potential, and competitions like this help to do that, and help athletes find out their own personal potential with some having great chances to make the London 2012 Paralympics.. This was also a great pre games event for many of the athletes, as 28 athletes from Harlow will be taking part in the Eastern Regional Athletics Championships taking place in Chelmsford’s Melbourne Park Athletics Track on 15th May 10. Then successful athletes will be hoping to represent the Eastern Region in the DSA National Junior Athletics Championships 3rd to 4th July taking place at Blackpool, and the Mencap Championships in Manchester 26th June and the London Disability Challenge at Crystal Place 15th August and the Cerebral Palsy Sport National Athletics Championships on 18th September at Nottingham.

Anyone interested in training with Harlow Athletics Club’s All Ability section should come along on Monday nights 5.30pm to 6.30pm for 10 to 14 year olds and 6.30pm to 7.30pm for 15 year olds to adults,or call Helen Offord Sports Development Officer for Harlow Council for more information on 01279 446417 Email Helen.offord@harlow.gov.uk.

Winners in individual sports were:

Distance Club Men’s 1st Luke Lowe (Harlow), 2nd Stephen Burks (Harlow) 3rd Alex Patterson (Harlow) Ladies 1st Lucy Howkins (Harlow) Rosa Huntington ((Harlow) 3rd Sadie Hobbs (Harlow)

Javelin Men’s 1st Place Stephen Burks (Harlow) and Luke Lowe (Harlow), 3rd Place Michael Davis (Panthers) 4th Place Alex Patterson (Harlow) Ladies 1st Place Rosa Huntington (Harlow), 2nd Place Emily Maskell (Harlow Fields) 3rd Place Chloe Donovan (Harlow)

Shot Putt Men’s 1st Alex Patterson (Harlow), 2nd Huseyin Besgullar, (Epping) 3rd Mike Hayes (Epping), Ladies 1st Place Charmain Thorpe (Harlow), 2nd Place Emily Maskell (Fields) 3rd Place Lucy Howkins (Harlow)

Long Jump Men’s 1st Dean Harvey (Harlow), 2nd Michael Davis (Panthers) 3rd Place Andrew Davis (Panthers) Ladies 1st Place Charmain Thorpe (Harlow), 2nd Place Amy Howkins (Harlow) 3rd Place Emily Maskell (Fields).

60m Men’s 1st Place Oliver Minns (Panthers) 2nd Place Andrew Davis (Panthers) 3rd Place Ritesh Rajcoomar (Harlow) Ladies 1st Place Isobel Stevenson (Uttlesford) 2nd Place Charmain Thorpe (Harlow) 3rd Place Rosa Huntington (Harlow)

100m Men’s 1st Place Oliver Minns (Panthers), 2nd Place Max Lake (Panthers), 3rd Place Dean Harvey (Harlow) Ladies 1st Place Jessica Lake (Panthers) 2nd Place Isobel Stevenson (Uttlesford) 3rd Place Imogen Walbanke (Uttlesford)

200m Men’s 1st Place Oliver Minns (Panthers) 2nd Place Dean Harvey (Harlow) 3rd Place Andrew Davis (Panthers Ladies 1st Place Isobel Stevenson (Uttlesford) 2nd Place Charmain Thorpe (Harlow) 3rd Place Jessica Lake (Panthers).

An Athletics Event for people with disabilities was held on Saturday 30th January taking place at Mark Hall Sports Centre, The teams taking part were from Harlow Athletics Club All Ability Section

The day with 21 competitors, were split into 4 groups, took part in events such as turbo javelin, chest push, Long Jump, Vertical Jump, Shuttle Run, Speed Bounce, Lap Racing and Relay Racing. Plus wheelchair racing involving some great hopefuls training to be considered for 2012 London Paralympics, In the senior men’s category joint winners were Daniel Sedgwick and Stephen Burks, 3rd place Luke Lowe. The Women’s category was won by Rosa Huntington, 2nd place Charmaine Thorpe, 3rd place Sasha Bassell. In the Junior male category 1st place was Jordan Wright 2nd place Ritesh Rajcoomar 3rd place Jamie Porter. In the Junior Girls 1st place was Hanna Stribe, 2nd place Ellie Parish, 3rd place Amy Howkins. . Helen Offord Harlow Council’s Sports Development Officer presented certificates to everyone that took part.

Sixteen athletes from the Harlow Athletics Club All Ability Sports and Leisure Section competed in the East Regional Disability Athletics Championships held at Chelmsford, sponsored by Nationwide on May 16th 2009.

The Harlow squad, which included wheelchair users, cerebral palsy and spina bifida sports people and athletes with moderate and severe learning disabilities, competed in a range of track and field events.

Many members of the team, who are aged between 10 and 34, achieved personal bests in time and distance across a range of sporting disciplines.

The event was organised by England Athletics East Disability Sports Events and provided young athletes with special needs with the opportunity to take part in a large, competitive event. Competitors who achieved a qualifying standard in the championships will be invited to join a regional team to compete in the National Finals in July 4th to 5th (Blackpool for Juniors) and August 7th to 9th.(Birmingham for Seniors)

Kathy Fuller, whose son Antony is a member of the Harlow AC squad, said: “The competitors all absolutely loved it and I know it is really a high spot in the whole year for them.”

For further information, call Helen Offord, Harlow Council Sports Development Officer on 01279 446417.