Teenager Smith at his best in England victory

Athletics

Marshall Smith became the latest Ashford Athletic Club member to represent England Schools.

He helped them to an overall victory over Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the four-team international at the Julie Rose Stadium on Saturday.

Sixteen-year-old Smith, a pupil at Homewood School in Tenterden, was making his international debut in the 3,000m walk, one of four Kent youngsters taking part in the competition.

He finished fourth in a personal best time of 16 minutes and a quarter of a second.

Coach Chris Hobbs said: “Marshall was looking a little nervous but had plenty of support from family and club members who were there to cheer him on his way around the track on a sun drenched afternoon.

“He was always conscious this was a team match and concentrated on technique and not risk disqualification from the judges around the track.”

Holly Page (Dartford Harriers) won the women’s 1,500m steeplechase, Alfie Scopes (Tonbridge AC) triumphed in the discus, while Rebecca Hawkins (Bexley AC) was equal third in the high jump.

The meeting was hosted by Ashford Leisure Trust who assisted the organisers, Schools International Athletics Board.

The event involved the the top two under-17 male and female athletes, from the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish Schools Championships.

England won the event with a total of 519.5 points with Ireland second (340.5), ahead of Wales Scotland (230).

More than 450 athletes and officials took part in the event, last staged at the track in 2012.

Ashford & District Road Running Club’s Jon Wells continued his excellent form by winning the Cranbrook 5k on Friday night. He covered the hilly course in a time of 20 minutes two seconds.

Meanwhile, clubmate Simon Jackson trimmed three minutes off his personal best in the Mid Kent 5 at Staplehurst on Sunday.

Jackson finished 109th in a time of 41.34 on a fast course (246), and around the quiet lanes of the Maidstone village.

Robin Butler was first home for the club, 22nd in 32.15, while Terry Sellen claimed another PB, bettering his previous mark by two minutes, finishing 77th in 37.37.

Stu Nunn, followed up his good run of the previous week in the Rye 10k, with another PB, finishing in 92nd place in a time of 39.58.

Steve Hickman (44.33) continued his comeback from injury and Andrew Smith clocked 46.21.

Julie Foster raced in the Great Newham London Run 10k at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday.

She finished in a time of 1:04.00.

Daniel Green was first club member home in the latest Ashford parkrun.

Green finished fourth in 19.21, one place ahead of Scott Lynch (19.33.).

Christine Costiff (23.10) was second lady home and first in her age category.

Anthony Brown was 37th (23.39) one place ahead of clubmate Mark Attenborough in 23.40.

Lisa Bracken was the fourth lady home in 23.59.

Other finishers included Mark Carlton 45th (24.26) and Will Whittington (26.11).

Paul Bailey ran a personal best in 27.03 and he was followed by Julie Foster (31.01), Terry Sellen (33,54) and Claire Green (34.28).

‘He was always conscious this was a team match and concentrated on technique’