MACCLESFIELD HARRIERS
THIS summer all eyes were on London and the World Athletics Championships. Meanwhile, athletes of all ages represented Macclesfield Harriers and Athletic Club in a range of events.
Club teams take part in three leagues – the Cheshire Track and Field League (all age groups), Youth Development League (U13/U15) and Northern League (U17, U20 and seniors).
While our final league positions were mixed, there were many great individual performances and a great team spirit.
If numbers are low, the club’s athletes sometimes compete in different events to the ones they train for to collect those valuable team points.
Individual highlights were the number of AAA standards achieved.
The top 7.5 per cent of performances in each age category are grade 1 standard; the top 15 per cent of performances are grade 2; the top 30 per cent are grade 3 and the top 65 per cent grade 4.
Grade 1 standards for their age categories were achieved by Sian Heslop (800m, 1500m) and Jacob Thompson (high jump).
Hayden Blunn achieved Grade 2 in high jump and Finley Proffitt in 1500m.
Grade 3s were achieved by Rebecca Dilworth (800m, 1200m), Lucy Robinson (high jump), Ruby Spencer (800m) and Sarah Stockman (1500m).
Grade 4s in various events were achieved by Hayden Blunn, Matthew Browne, David Butlin, Serena Carroll,Lily Dutton, Poppy Dutton, Josie Eliot, Hattie Glover, Philip Goodfellow, Oscar Johnson, Rebecca Main, Finley Proffitt, Lucy Robinson, Ruby Spencer, Jacob Thompson, Louis Townend and Aadi Whitlock.
At the England Athletics championships at the end of August, Sian Heslop won first place for U15 1500m and Jacob Thompson took fourth place in the U15 high jump. In July, Sian recorded a 1500m time that currently puts her first in the British Athletics Power of Ten U15 girls rankings. Jacob Thompson is currently ranked 4th in the Power of Ten database for U15 boys high jump.
The grading system does not apply to performances by under 11s, but both boys and girls teams have enjoyed competing in four events: 75m/150m, 600m, 4x100m relay, long jump and soft javelin, with a number of personal bests achieved. Improving performance in your main event and achieving a personal best is a goal all can aim for.
Over the winter the club’s athletes will continue training to maintain fitness. Many will gain confidence to step forward to represent the club for the first time, and wear the Harriers’ colours.