Nachshen going great guns

ATHLETICS GILAD Nachshen, 13, set a new 800m best of 2:04.44 at the Watford Open Graded Meeting to reaffirm his standing as the second fastest runner of his age in the country.

His performance came three days after chasing home Jamie Rashbrook, one of the fastest 14-year-olds in the country, in a close race at the Eastern Young Athletes League final in Bedford.

Nachshen commented: “I surprised myself in both races, in that I had only done one training session in the previous fortnight.

“In the EYAL race, Jamie and I broke away from the field early on and ran virtually together.

“I pulled ahead with 150 metres remaining but on reflection, perhaps I surged too soon because he overtook me in the final few metres.

“At Watford, I ran at my usual tempo to pass 400m in 62 seconds and was pleased to maintain that speed to the end.”

Nachshen added: “The season has gone really well for me in terms of improving both my speed and my technique.

“In particular, running 1,500m events has taught me to conserve my energy up to the end of the race.”

Contesting the high jump in his first competition of the year at the same Watford Open Meeting, William Levy, 17, cleared the bar at 1.60m.

Adam Firsht, 14, placed fifth at the Southern Counties U15 800m Championships in Oxford.

He recorded 2:09.45, having run slightly faster in the heats earlier in the afternoon.

Rachel Ayrton, 18, improved her 400m PB to 65.64 at Watford.