Gateshead Harrier Gargan picked for two major internationals
DOUBLE Olympian Laura Weightman warmed up for the trials for this summer’s World Championships with a confidence-boosting outing over 800m this week.
Back on home ground after a spell of altitude training in America, as well as taking in a European trip to compete in a IAAF World Challenge meeting in Hengelo, Netherlands, the Morpeth Harrier was delighted to post her best two-lap time for five years in the British Milers’ Club fixture at Chester-le-Street’s Riverside Stadium.
With the trials for the London World Championships just 10 days away, it was the ideal way to wind down her preparations for lining up over 1,500m.
In a controlled mixed-gender race, Weightman, encouraged by coach Steve Cram from the sidelines, finished runner-up behind Chester-le-Street’s Jonathan Langley in 2min 2.67sec – just 0.15sec outside her best.
After completing her warm-down with fellow athletes, Weightman declared: “I’m happy with that. That’s my fastest 800 time for over five years and, while it would have been nice to set a new pb and dip under 2:02, I felt really good. I’m not complaining though, for it was quite EMILY GARGAN has her passport at the ready after being named in the GB squad for two major international meetings.
After competing in the England Championships in Bedford last weekend, where the Gateshead Harrier finished in silver medal position, the selectors have picked the teenager for the teams to compete in Germany in the Manheim International from July 1-2, and for blustery down the back straight so it shows I’m in decent shape going into the trials.’’ Weightman spent a month in the States, where she found time to take in a couple of races, one of which she was delighted with, while the other was a tad disappointing. She ran her first-ever track 5,000m in Los Angeles, were she posted a world-class time of 15:08.24, but came quickly down to earth a few days later where, in the Eugene Diamond League over her favoured 1,500m distance, trailed in at the rear of the field in a time of 4:10.50. “I probably should not have run in Eugene – the 5k was still in my legs,’’ she said. “However, I wasn’t too disappointed for I knew I was in better shape than that and it showed after coming home and taking in a race in Hengelo three weeks later. “There, I ran 4:01.95, finishing fourth against a world-class field, which was my second-fastest time ever for 1,500m. “That was eight days ago and, while most of my training is endurance-based, it showed tonight that I can still produce some speed when it matters.’’ Weightman already has Laura Weightman the European Junior Championships in Grosseto, Italy, three weeks later.
The Sam Stanislaustrained triple jumper is ranked number one (13.03m) in the UK but, last weekend, finished runner-up behind great rival Naomi Ogbeta (Trafford), who took advantage of a plus wind reading of 3.8mps to the qualifying time for the World Championships but she knows that means nothing if she doesn’t finish in the top two in the trials in Birmingham, which start on July 1 – the date of her 26th birthday.
“There are a lot of girls capable of running under the qualification time of 4:07 so I cannot take anything for granted.
“I have to be prepared for two rounds, firstly making the final and then, with the first two home providing they have achieved the qualifying time, will be automatically selected for the Worlds.
“On most occasions, championship trials have been noticeably tactical affairs which would suit me nicely, especially after showing that tonight there is speed in my legs.
“My record in the World Championships doesn’t make good reading so hopefully I can rectify that. In 2013 in Moscow, I failed to make the final having finished 11th in my heat (4:14.38) and then, in Beijing two years later, after qualifying for the semifinal (4:03.13), I had to pull out through injury, so let’s hope it’s third time lucky this time round!’’
The teenager, who won in 1:50.57 in Bedford, is a real medal prospect in Grosseto as he is currently the top-ranked two-lap athlete in Europe (1:46.97) this year.
Despite missing out on a podium place, Berwick-based former Northumberland Schools’ champion, Cameron Tindle, could well join the duo in Italy. Tindle finished in fourth spot in the 200m in Bedford and could be named in the relay squad.