Latest athletics news from the Bristol and surrounding areas

Short athletics stories

BRISTOL & West AC's Annabel Gummow leapt straight to second place in the UK Under-17 women's rankings with a stunning debut in the 3000m at the British Milers' Club PB Classic in Milton Keynes.

Running the distance for the first time, the 15-year-old won the race in a time of 9mins 50.0secs, the second quickest in the country this year – behind her big rival Emelia Gorecka (9:44.8).

"I was really pleased with that run and it is nice that I can go straight to number two in the rankings in my first attempt at the distance," said Gummow.

"But I know I can go a lot quicker than that. I went off a bit too quick at the start and paid for it, so I will know better next time."

CLEVEDON AC finished an excellent ninth in the British Masters Road relay Championships, with Julian Emery clocking the fastest overall time of the day.

BRISTOL & West AC are looking for youngsters aged 11-16 who are keen to have a go at athletics. Anyone interested should contact Hilary Nash on 0117 9861244.

BRISTOL & West AC junior Steve Gallienne won the Bideford 10k in a time of 32mins 24secs, with John Ward runner-up (32:35).

BITTON Road Runners' Shan Aguilar-Stone completed the Brathray Windermere marathon in a time of 4hrs 17mins 45secs.

PHIL Westlake was Bitton Road Runners' top man in the Hogweed Trot 10k, finishing fifth in 35mins 18secs. Four club members clocked personal bests – Andy Brook (44.24), Julie McCracken (47.28), Annette Whitchurch (53.11) and Carol Williams (54.11).

Five Bristol & West AC athletes have been nominated for Club Athlete of the Match awards over the first two meetings of the National Young Athletes' League – Match 1 at Yate: Lucy Bryan (U15s high jump 1.56m); Lily Owsley (U15s 800 metres 2:21.0) and Tom Gibson (U17s pole vault 4.10m); Match 2 at Solihull: Daniel Barker (U15s Javelin 39.51m) and Zoe Laing (U17s Long Jump 5.11m).

LUCY Ferguson won the National Biathlon Championships title – 3k run and 200m swim – at Macclesfield, her first senior title. Ferguson has just completed her degree at the University of Bath but is staying on to do an MA.

TERRY Welsh, Helen Hinsley, Jacqui Perriman and Catherine Jones of Bitton Road Runners wil be tackling the Edinburgh Marathon next weekend.

MANUAL timekeepers at the McCain Loughborough International clocked Emily Diamond at 11.62secs. The failure of the electronic system cost the Bristol & West AC sprinter a qualifying mark for the European Under-20 Championships and eventually here time was rounded up to 11.7secs.

BRISTOL & West's Katie Knowles' debut for the Great Britain Under-20s team in Sunday's McCain Loughborough International will leave a bitter-sweet memory.

Her delight at being called up to run the 3000m was quickly eclipsed by a below-par performance as she trailed home at the rear of the field in 17th place in a time of 10:22.33, nearly a minute outside her personal best.