Speedy Reidy sets a new indoor world record!

A breathtakingly speedy Sean Reidy set a new world record on Saturday.

The 41 year old Peterborough & Nene Valley Athletic Club member became the fastest over 40 in the history of the indoor 400m hurdles event.

Reidy ran 57:00 in the Masters Grand Prix meeting at Sheffield to take over three seconds off the previous record which had stood for two years.

First run in 2004 the indoor hurdles is a relatively new event, but is becoming increasingly popular due to the exciting nature of the race. It differs from the outdoor version in that the first 150m is run in lanes, after which the runners break and the final 250m becomes an inside lane free for all.

“It was good to break new ground,” Reidy said. “There are eight hurdles in total, and the last one is at the finish line when the body is at its most fatigued. There are usually bodies on the ground to hurdle even after you finish!”

Claire Smith who was number one in the national over 45s 400m rankings last year, got 2022 off to a steady start with a 63.85 clocking, while Dave Brown ran a 2:11.48 800m. Russ Dowers won his 800m race in 2:19.09.

There were also races for senior athletes and Sean Garmory doubled up in the open races with a 7.21 60m, and a 22.99 200m. Niamh Rushton recorded a 65.85 400m.

FROSTBITE LEAGUE

Despite having seven of the top 20 finishers, Peterborough and Nene Valley AC still finished as runners up to Hunts AC in a Frostbite League race at Bourne Woods.

Hunts AC are on the way to retaining their league title and pipped PANVAC to first place with six of their men finishing in the top 12 including race winner Dave Hudson.

Glenn Watts of March AC finished as runner-up and he was followed by a wall of blue vested PANVAC runners. Tesfay Teweled and Luke Brown took third and fourth spots with Simon Fell sixth and Daniel Lewis seventh. John Pike, Steve Wilkinson and Toby Hall came home 17th, 19th and 20th respectively.

Marcela Gracova of BRJ Huntingdon won the ladies race, ahead of Leva Klavina of Hunts AC with PANVAC’s Maggie Skinner third. The city club’s scoring was completed by eighth placed Jade Watson and Rebecca Lee in 18th.

Yaxley Runners finished third on the day and sit second in the league table between Hunts AC and PANVAC. Eighteenth placed Darren Hillier led their challenge with Gina Crane 10th lady.

Jack Green, Paul Halford and Matt Doyle of Werrington placed 13th, 14th and 16th respectively while Thorney’s Kelly Maddy was 11th lady.

The junior 3km race was won by Thorney AC, ahead of Hunts AC. Yaxley were third and PANVAC fourth.

Thorney’s Tobias Goodwin finished second with his brother Elijah sixth. Yaxley’s Harry Friend was third and PANVAC’s Isaac Fell fifth.

Milly Doud of Werrington Joggers was the first girl home with Rosie Ackerman of Thorney fifth, and Yaxley’s Elisa Berisha sixth.

Hunts AC lead the junior standings, with PANVAC second and Thorney third.

ROUND-UP

Three PANVAC youngsters made the top 10 in the Anglian Schools Cross Country Championship. Louie Hemmings, representing Lincolnshire Schools, placed third in the junior boys race. Cambridgeshire’s Olivia Walker was the seventh Intermediate girl with Harry Hewitt of Lincolnshire ninth senior boy.

Sean Reidy in action.