South of England – Combined Events Championships, Hendon, Saturday 10^th & Sunday 11^th August

Kate Brewington smashed through the 5000 points barrier for the heptathlon when winning the South of England title at Barnet Copthall Stadium, Hendon at the weekend.  Her 5229 points total broke her own previous club record of 4971 by over 250 points.

The 20 year old student, who has earned GB U23 honours, achieved four personal bests on the way to her new points tally.  A fabulous day one performance on Saturday set up her performance. After opening with an excellent 14.02 secs clocking for 100m hurdles Kate equalled her best high jump clearance of 1.65m, then putt the shot 10.81m for a 30 cm improvement on her best before rounding off the day with a new 200m mark of 25.29 secs.  Kate’s Sunday performances almost matched those of the day before as her 5.75m long jump was one of her longest ever, as was her javelin effort of 32.57, before rounding off her super two day competition with a new 800m best of 2m 28.15 secs.

While Kate was adding to her senior club heptathlon record Sara Luck gave warning that Kate’s club under 17 record will come under threat next season.  The 15 year old all rounder, who last year claimed the club under15 pentathlon record, placed fourth in 3818 points, missing out on a medal by just 44 points. Her points total in her first attempt at the seven event contest was just over 150 short of Kate’s five year old club record. (Results: Javelin: 19.22m; 80m hurdles: 12.93 secs; high jump: 1.52m; shot: 6.26m; 200m: 27.21 secs long jump: 4.29m; 800m: 2m 17.85 secs).

The Hendon combined events meeting also heralded the return to the decathlon of Leo Barker. The former junior international, now 23, had suffered a series of injuries in recent years, but is now starting to show a return to the form that ranked him UK junior number 2 five years ago.  Leo’s 6184 points score gained him fourth place in the senior men’s decathlon event (Results: 100m: 11.51; long jump: 6.83m; shot: 12.00; high jump: 1.73m; 400m: 51.62; 110m hurdles: 15.70 secs; discus: 30.45m; pole vault: 3.10m; javelin: 44.01m; 1500m: 4m 49.30 secs).

Also in multi-events action at Hendon were Andrew Luck, eight in the under 15 boys pentathlon, and Lisa Schofield, tenth in the girls competition in the same age group.

South of England Veterans Championships, Hendon, Saturday 10^th & Sunday 11^th August

Other good performances at Hendon came in the South of England veterans championships, held alongside the multi events competitions.

Lesley Felton finished second in the 400m in the women’s 35-45 age group clocking a season’s best of 61.6 secs. Maria Luck entered her first serious veterans competition and was rewarded with a hatful of medals with wins in the 100m, 200m and long jump for 45-55 year olds, and runners up spot in the triple jump.  In the process she beat a number of medallists from the recent national vets champs. Husband Peter was second in the 400m in the men’s  45-55 age category.