It’s been a while since our last news round up, so here is an update of what has been going on across the Club
Southern Athletics League
We are now well into the track and field season with the second of the four fixtures of the SAL completed on Sunday.
The first fixture was moved from our home venue to the Thames Valley Athletics Centre in Windsor at the 11th hour due to a licensing issue with the Spectrum. Although out-gunned by Winchester and Portsmouth in the sprints and field events, the endurance squad dominated our events in this six team competition. James Harvey (4:17.35) and Matt McDaniel (4:19.09) picked up maximum points in the 1500m, as did Andy Coley-Maud (8:51.73), Tom Foster (8:55.67), Suzie Monk (9:45.87) and Abi Bushell (11:05.89) in the men’s and ladies 3000m. For good measure, Suzie also picked up maximum points in the 800m alongside Robin Simons (2:14.9 and 2:23.6 respectively). Andy finished 2nd in the 800m (2:01.9) with Marcus Brimicombe finishing 3rd in the B race (2:07.7). In the ladies 1500m, Susie Lecoutre (4:49.58) and Naomi Maini (5:19.09) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. Will Brown (10:55.62) and Stu Johnson (11:03.06 PB) picked up 2nd and 1st in the 3000m s/c. There were also some fine non-scoring performances from Phil Pryke (800m in 2:22.4), Ben West (9:48.1 PB), Abel Davies (9:50.43 PB) and Charlie Pickett (10:21.31) in the 3000m, and Marcus Brimicombe (4:41.94) in the 1500m.
A special mention must go to those endurance athletes who stepped out of their comfort zones to pick up some vital points for the team – Susie Lecoutre, Naomi Maini & Suzie Monk in both relays! James Harvey & Marcus Brimicombe in the 4 x 400m, Stu Johnson (400mH, Shot Put and Discus), Adam Hewitt (High Jump & Long Jump), James Harvey (Javelin) and team manager Phil Pryke (Long Jump and Discus)
The second fixture held in Abingdon proved to be a tough sell for many given its clash with fathers day and the tail end of the exam season for the younger members of the squad. So it was a depleted GGAC team travelling to Abingdon for our second SAL fixture. James Harvey sliced a few seconds from his 1500m PB with a time of approximately 4:04 for 2nd place, he followed this up 15 minutes later with another 2nd in the 2000m s/c in a shade over 6:40. Callum Job swapped 50 mile ultras for his debuts over 400m (58 secs) and 800m (3rd in 2:04), before finishing 3rd in the 5000m in 16:30. Terry Booth joined him in the 5000, finishing 4th B in 18:01. Multi event stars Adam Hewitt (8 events incl 800m & 1500m) and Stu Johnson (a similar number, including 1st B in the steeplechase) ensured that we had most of the men’s events covered and between them picked up some useful points throughout the day.
On the ladies side, Hannah Knights had a commanding win in the 400m A race.
Surrey Schools Championships
Elise Christian smashed the Surrey Schools Under 15 javelin record with a throw of 45.38. A massive 15m ahead of the silver medal position.
Surrey County Athletics Championships
GGAC managed an impressive medal haul at the Surrey County Athletics Championships of 36 medals of these 13 were gold.
U20 Combined Event Championships
Bryony Bovell took to the top step of the podium becoming national champion at the England Champs in Manchester at the end of May
On her way to scoring over 5100 points, Bryony took PBs in the hurdles, high jump, long jump and javelin!
Fantastic work @bryonybovell
EA Challenger meeting
Hayden Christian broke the Under 20 men’s 400M hurdles record with a 52.84 secs at the EA Challenger meeting in Belgium
Dorking 10 Mile – Surrey Road League
Twelve Gees raced at this popular event, which incorporated the Surrey Ten Mile Road Championship.
Former winner, Tom Foster had another great run to finish third on this occasion in 53:55. Also in third place (for the 3rd SRL race in a row!) was Jilly Raw in a PB of 1:05:00. There were also Surrey medals for Nick Tearle (2nd M50 in 58:38) and Susanna Harrison (3rd F55 in 1:11:54). Charlie Picket broke the hour barrier in his debut, with a time of 59:00. There was some strong runs for the remainder of the team on this undulating course – Jamie Rushworth, Emily Ealham, Michael Mayers, Karen Bryant, Christine Robinson, Michelle Oldham and Rob Bate.
Sutton 10k – Surrey Road League
10 Gees ran in the Sutton 10K in Nonsuch Park a few weeks ago with some fantastic efforts all around!
Alistair Wilkie and Chris Woods both smashed their PBs, with their first sub-40s in 38:18 and 39:11 respectively. They were separated by James Adams with a time of 39:09. For the second SRL race in a row, Jilly Raw finished 3rd in the ladies race, with a PB of 39:33. She was followed by Emily Ealham, Susanna Harrison, Christine Robinson (PB), Laura Hales, Clare Coley-Maud and Lucy Green!
Ranelagh Harriers Richmond Half Marathon – Surrey Road League
Callum Job made light work of the Richmond Half Marathon with a gun to tape victory in 1:11:54 this morning. Callum finished over two minutes ahead of his nearest rival to pick up his first county title. Making a very welcome return to racing for the Gees, James Adams was next home for us in 1:25:27, followed by Terry Booth (1:25:59), Jilly Raw (1:26:11 – 6th lady), Charlie Alger (1:34:11), Christine Robinson (1:37:53), Michael Mayers (1:40:33) and Kate Ayling (1:53:39).
London Marathon 2023
There were some fabulous performances from the 14 Gees at this year’s London marathon. None more so than from Callum Job, who finished in 45th place in 2:25:49 – a PB by 10 minutes and new GGAC Club Record! Callum was followed by Ed Dixon, Mike Garnett, Robin Boon, Jacob Plummer, Colin Shaw, David Renshaw, Jamie Rushworth, Susanna Harrison, Adam Hewitt, Laura Hales, Phil Pryke, Josh Chowney and Martin Newman!
We look forward to next month where Ali Smith has been chosen to represent GB in the Para World Championships in Paris.