STRATFORD Athletic Club’s Masters runners secured their finest result with second placed finishes for both the men’s and women’s teams in the final match of the Masters League Midlands South Division at Worcester.
On a thrilling evening, rounded off by great performances in both the men’s and women’s relays, Stratford athletes broke 12 club age group records and set 19 personal bests.
John Boxall showed his potential as a future multi-eventer with three personal bests across the 200m, triple jump and the javelin with a record throw.
In the pole vault, in only his second competitive event, Tony Humphreys shattered the club record by 30cm.
Rob Minton made a successful return to the track with a new age group record in the 200m, before running the 800m five minutes later and the 3,000m an hour after that.
Meanwhile, middle distance specialist Phil Brennan underlined his versatility with second place in the M70 200m in a new club record time and Brian Gravelsons also set a new record in the 200m before going on to run a new PB in the 800m.
In the slower pace of the 2,000m walk, Paul Hawkins continued his meteoric improvement with second place in a new record time.
Stratford’s latest recruit from Parkruns, Joan Roberts, successfully tried the shorter distance of 200m and set a new club record for her age group.
Naomi Whittaker also made a successful track debut in Stratford colours with a PB in the 200m, followed by a new club record in the 3,000m.
Meanwhile, Maria Haslam had a busy evening in setting three new PBs in the 200m, 800m and 3,000m before running her leg in the relay.
Kate Sergent set a new club record in the 800m for her age group, while Christine Coote and Paula Williams both set new club records in the 200m.
The successes of the evening have left Stratford well placed for the Midlands Cup Final on September 4 at the Pingles Stadium in Nuneaton where they will be competing against the best masters athletes in the Midlands and will be aiming to confirm their place as one of the best teams.
Report compiled by Peter Coote.
