Cover already in winter mode
Jake Cover is already back in winter training mode, but this week took a moment out of his schedule to reflect on a highly successful 2022 season.
Remarkably, the 19-year-old Team Bath AC athlete ended his season by equalling his personal best in the under-20 men’s 110m hurdles to help Team Avon achieve a best-ever second place in the finals of the UK National Young Athletes League.
Interestingly he ran that time of 14.40secs - he also boasts a windassisted 14.16secs to his name from winning the South West title – having already enjoyed his end-of-season break last month, so little wonder that he has returned to his winter programme with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.
“I’ve been pleased with this year,” said Cover from his Bath home before heading back to Cardiff Met University at the weekend.
“I’ve raced some of the best guys in the country, like Andy Pozzi [Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist this summer], competed at the UK Senior Championships and the England Under-20s and that has been a really good experience. I have been very consistent all summer and I think I’ll finish close to the top ten in the UK at the 110m hurdles which is really good for my confidence.”
Cover actually sits a very respectable 11th in the UK Rankings for under20 men – and second quickest in the South West - with that 14.40secs clocking and can look back at a year in which he posted PBS in the 60m (7.12ses) and 60m hurdles (8.51secs) indoors and then the 100m (11.49secs), U20 hurdles (14.40secs) and senior 110m hurdles (14.99secs) outdoors.
He also won the Wiltshire and South West titles and competed at the UK Championships and World trials for the first time, even making the BBC TV coverage.
“I’m back in the gym now and working hard on my strength to improve my flat speed, so won’t be touching the hurdles for a few months,” added Cover.
“Then I’ll be looking to have a good indoor season.”
If he can do that – and last winter illness cost him a vital chunk of training at a key time – then Cover can look forward to another big year in 2023.
LOOKING back at the UK YDL final at Manchester, Team Bath’s Eleni Francis also contributed a significant points haul for Team Avon.
Francis won the U20s long jump B event (4.62m), was third in the 100m B race (13.11secs) and then helped the 4x100m relay squad place second, so a great effort by her.
THE final Avon League match at Gloucester on Sunday was called off, but yet still be rearranged with the organisers looking at the end of the month as an option.
AWAY from the track, Team Bath AC continue to make their mark on the ultra distance running scene.
Tom Dudden and Emily Griffiths completed the Ironman Wales at the weekend, with Dudden 39th overall and ninth veteran over-40 in a total time of 10hrs 30mins 57secs, which included a remarkable marathon ‘split’ of 3hrs 8mins. Griffiths finished 40th female in a time of 13:12:25.
Also, recently, Nina Davies finished fifth woman in the UTMR Mischabel 100k race in the Alps, clocking a time of 21hrs 54mins 28secs.
The athletics coverage in the Chron is sponsored by Running Bath.