Clare is the golden oldie for Nene Valley Harriers

Nene Valley Harriers’ veteran athletes carried out a smash and grab close to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter at the weekend, with a share of the bounty going to the club’s own ‘goldsmith’ and ‘silversmith.’

The scene of the raid was the British Masters Athletics Federation Championship at the Alexander Stadium, and the Werrington-based Smith family were among the prolific plunderers.

Clare Smith picked up the Over 40 200m and 400m golds with clockings of 28.04 and 63.33.

Smith’s husband Julian was determined to not go home empty-handed, and despite finishing just outside the medals in the 100 and 200m sprints, he battled his way to silver in the Over 45 400m with a time of 56.31.

Ricky Huskisson picked up two medals on the track, one of which was gold.

Huskisson clocked 25.27 for first place in the Over 55 200m, and also won 100m bronze, crossing the line in 12.44. Both times were season’s bests for the 58 year-old local legend.

Simon Achurch won the Over 40 hammer with a throw of 43.51m. Achurch travelled home with a mighty four medals after picking up bronze in the discus, javelin and weighted throw with distances of 33.91m 41.53m and 11.18m respectively.

John Spriggs was delighted to win his first medal at this level taking bronze in the Over 65 triple jump with a 7.82m leap.

This made up for the disappointment of the long jump where he finished one place away from the medals.

Tim Needham and John Blackwell came up against some stiff competition, with Needham placing seventh in the Over 65 discus and sixth in the hammer.

Blackwell finished ninth in both events.

Hazel Gerring could count herself unlucky to come away from the meeting medalless after taking fourth place in the Over 45 discus and fifth position in the Over 45 hammer and shot.

Clare Smith with her two gold medals.

Nene Valley Harriers British Masters medallists. From the left they are Clare Smith, Julian Smith, Simon Achurch and Ricky Huskisson.