Legends Relay

On a day when athletes were vying not only for the prestige of winning at the Aviva London Grand Prix, and the ongoing Samsung Diamond League series, there were also a few hints of potential for the Commonwealth Games, with some athletes demonstrating they had more to give in the long 2010 season.

In an exciting preview of October’s Games action, a victory in the 4x100m race went to the England A squad who ran a solid four legs and were anchored home by a relieved Mark Lewis Francis (Linford Christie) looking delighted to bring home his team in first with no problems.

The squad of Tremayne Gilling, Jeffrey Lawal Balogun, Leevan Yearwood and Lewis Francis were easy victors with 39.31 ahead of an overseas ‘all stars’ foursome comprising Tyrone Akins, Aaron Armstrong, Brian Dzingai and Joel Brown in 39.75.

Lewis Francis said:

“I definitely enjoyed that; I can put the European Championships behind me and I’ve been able to come here to London and fly the flag!

“It’s given me confidence for the Commonwealth Games, but it’s still a long way off in October so I’ll take small steps, get strong again and see what happens.”

In the women’s 800m race, there was a highly competitive pack vying for position late on where eight athletes were still in contention on the final sprint down the home straight – Russia’s Mariya Savinoa was a dominant winner in 1:58.64. But there was a strong British showing with Jemma Simpson (Mark Rowland) timing her run well for third in 1:59.26 and Jenny Meadows (Trevor Painter) who got badly boxed in at one point looking in good shape in fifth with a late run for 1:59.40.

Better still was the sight of Lisa Dobriskey (George Gandy) in seventh stepping down a distance for a PB of 2:00.14 and Stoke’s Emma Jackson (Alan Morris) also setting a lifetime best in ninth with 2:00.88.

Simpson was pleased with her placing but was determined to show further improvements by way of times:

“I seem to be running that sort of time consistently this season. I think I’m building up to quicker times. Once I get more confidence I think I’ll run quicker times all the time. But the 800m is hard because every race is so different, you can never tell how it is going to be run.”

The men’s 400m Diamond League race did not disappoint the Palace spectators with popular stateside visitor Jeremy Wariner taking the win in 44.67 in fairly blustery conditions, earning the Texan maximum points in the overall Diamond League race. Brits Michael Bingham (Ken Harnden) was fourth with 45.49 and Martyn Rooney (Nick Dakin) crossed the line in sixth with 45.89.

Afterwards, Rooney – a Croydon club athlete – was gutted with his showing in front of his home crowd and apologised for his performance:

“I’m so sorry, I got distracted watching Wariner and making sure I didn’t go off too fast but as a result I went to slow.

“I have to say thanks for the support but I should have done better than that.”

Bingham added:

“The race itself wasn’t great, me and Rooney should have been up there and capitalised.

“Picking yourself back up after the European Champs is hard. The crowd were awesome today, this is the biggest crowd we’ve run in front of in a while and I am looking forward to next year.”

American Allyson Felix may well have taken the women’s 400m race win in 50.79 to complete an impressive 200m/400m double from the weekend, but it was the performance of European 400m hurdles bronze medallist Perri Shakes Drayton in seventh that was notable for the GB supporters – the impressive youngster taking a ‘flat’ PB of 51.48 away from the action to compliment her successful summer so far. Vicky Barr was eighth with 53.82.

USA sprint hurdler David Oliver was a predictable winner of the men’s 110m hurdles in the afternoon’s penultimate event, also equalling the meeting record with his swift 13.06 ahead of Dwight Thomas on 13.32.

However Andy Turner (Lloyd Cowan) experienced mixed fortunes on the afternoon, firstly delight at winning his earlier heat, then despair at struggling with a clash of arms in the final and finishing last. It was tough luck on the European gold medallist but his earlier win in 13.32 displayed all the slick ability that took him to the Gold medal in Barcelona just two weeks ago. Likewise William Sharman (George Maciukiewicz), still smarting from his false start disqualification at the European Championships was buoyed by a fourth place in the final and a season’s best of 13.39, proving the rollercoaster of fortune that can afflict the most complex and technical of the shorter sprints.

On the field, the popular figure of USA shot putter Reese Hoffa was once again seen jigging in celebration following another Aviva London Grand prix victory. Hoffa, who has seen compatriot Christian Cantwell in dominant form this year, took the win with a fourth round season’s best of 21.44m.

The energetic Hoffa delighted the crowd with his performance and then his declaration of his love of competing in the UK:

“I tend to throw really well in Britain! Here, Birmingham, Gateshead, wherever – If you’d have me I’d be British tomorrow!” he said.

Fellow American Wallace Spearmon took the men’s 200m race victory at about the same time that Hoffa was being announced as shot put winner with a sharp 20.12 win. Marlon Devonish (Tony Lester) and Christian Malcolm (Dan Pfaff) were fifth and eighth respectively in 20.63 and 20.81.

Later in the afternoon the women’s scheduled sprint of the day – the 100m – was won by Marshevet Myers of the USA in 11.01 ahead of an impressive field including the ‘fastest woman alive’ Carmelita Jeter – also from the USA – who was reduced to second in 11.06.

In the women’s pole vault there was a win for Brazilian Fabiana Murer, although the windy conditions that hit the stadium midway in the afternoon affected the heights being cleared – her one clearance of the competition at 4.46m enough to take first place. In third, Kate Dennison (Steve Rippon) also cleared 4.46m but had some close attempts at 4.61m.

Also taking a third place during the afternoon for GB was Chris Tomlinson (Frank Attoh) who saw a mammoth third round leap red flagged and his best of the day – a 7.92m fourth round leap, could not impact on event winner Dwight Phillips of the USA with 8.18m.

In the men’s discus there was an impressive display by GB youngster Brett Morse (Nigel Bevan) who threw a PB of 63.35 in finishing sixth behind event winner Gerd Kanter with 67.82. It means the Birchfield Harrier is peaking perfectly for the up and coming Commonwealth Games where he will hope to represent Wales.

Another young thrower looking to be in good form ahead of Delhi was Scottish javelin thrower James Campbell (Mick Hill) – his 75.83m taking eighth in a world class javelin competition won by current Diamond League leader, Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen.

Campbell’s fellow Scott Eilidh Child (Stuart Hogg) had a superb 400m hurdles race, taking third overall but claiming a Scottish record on 55.16 in the process.

“I was a bit tired coming back from Barcelona but I’m getting back into it now,” admitted Child.

“I don’t know how I’ll be in October as it’s a long season but hopefully I’ll be in good shape and able to do something good in Delhi!”

Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer won the race and maximum Diamond League points with 53.78.

World Junior Triple Jump silver medallist Laura Samuel (Glenys Morton) was eighth in the women’s triple jump competition with a best of 12.71m from her first round jump. Cuban Yargelis Savigne took the win and maximum Diamond League Race points with 14.86m.

The men’s high jump competition was an expected win for Russian Ivan Ukhov with a best height of 2.29m, with top GB performers Samson Oni (Trevor Llewelyn) and Robbie Grabarz (Fuzz Ahmed) both clearing 2.24m for fifth and sixth position.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase was won in an impressive sprint finish from Kenya’s Milcah Chemos – taking the line in 9:22.49 ahead of Russia’s Yuliya Zarudneva on 9:22.60. Hattie Dean (Bud Baldaro),Tina Brown (Glynn Tromans), and Helen Clitheroe (Trevor Painter) placed eleventh, 12th and 13th, with Brown perhaps having the best day on the track setting a PB with 9:48.08.

The prestigious Emsley Carr Mile closed proceedings as the last track event and the 2010 title went to Kenya’s Augustine Choge, who ran a lifetime best of 3:50.14 to become the latest in a line of middle distance legends to take the esteemed race win. Top Brit was Tom Lancashire (Norman Poole) who was impressive with a mile PB of 3:53.39 in ninth place.

Ahead of Sunday’s UKA Disability Athletics Challenge at the same venue, there was also a chance for some additional races for the top World and GB Paralympic talent:

Oscar Pistorius competed over 400m for the second time in 24 hours and thrilled the Saturday Palace crowd with a T44 400m world record of 47.04. Britain’s Ian Jones was second in 51.65, one place better than his bronze medal behind Pistorius at the Beijing Paralympics.

Later the Blade runner was delighted with his track results : “I’m super happy. After yesterday’s race, it was really difficult today. I’m happy to have run decent times back to back. Being in London is unbelievable.

“We are going to have to get used to these conditions for London 2012 but the crowds here are amazing. Today I went out hard, may be a bit too ballsy but yesterday I started to slow. I’m happier with today’s race. It’s great to have these Paralympics events at the London Grand Prix.”

In the women’s T12/T44 100m sprint, the combination of Paralympic disciplines enabled the GB support to see Beijing Paralympic silver medallist Libby Clegg (Tom Crick) take on compatriot and Paralympic T12 200m bronze medallist Stefanie Reid (Dan Pfaff) who is fresh from a T44 World long Jump record set at last week’s McCain Jumpsfest event.

As it was, Clegg had the strength to take victory by almost a second in 12.72, with Reid taking third in 13.69.

In the afternoon’s development event – the junior men’s 3000m, there was a clear victory by UK National cross country champion Richard Goodman (Geoff Williams), who not only ran a significant PB of 8:12.94, but had time to wave to the watching spectators as he rounded the final bend with a 30-40m lead. In second place was fellow Aviva GB & NI cross country team mate Jonny Hay (Mick Woods) with 8:15.96.

The spectator entertainment event – the Aviva Legends relay, featuring teams anchored home by GB greats Roger Black, John Regis, Iwan Thomas and Jason Gardener was won by ‘Team Black’ – leading a squad from the Independent on Sunday to a popular victory.

Crystal Palace stadium was hit by a rain shower of monsoon proportions at 5.30pm local time as the women’s Discus Throwers were midway through their competition – won by Cuba’s Yarelis Barrios who thundered out a massive first round 65.62m – with the torrent so heavy that the men’s Pole Vault had to be temporarily suspended. Well, effectively the wet ended the competitions of Australia’s World and Olympic champion Steve Hooker and France’s world season and Diamond Race leader Renaud Lavillenie who both registered no mark at their opening heights of 5.51m. The runway was exceptionally slippery and in these extreme conditions these protagonists found themselves bravely upstaged by Poland’s Luhasz Michalski (5.71m).

The rain lasted for approximately 30minutes, transforming the stadium’s open tribunes on the top and bottom bends into a sea of umbrellas. An hour and 15 minutes after the rain ceased the men’s sprinters came onto their blocks for the 100m heats in exceptionally dank conditions (16C) and in that sort of cool weather none of the capacity crowd of 16,000 could have imagined they would be in for such a night of hot racing.

Gay was smoothly through to the final with 10.02 (-0.4m/s) as the winner of the first heat, and Walter Dix, who had taken a famous victory over Gay at 200m in Eugene last month, dominated the second race in 10.08 (-0.3). Jamaican Yohan Blake was slightly faster (10.07) as the runner-up behind Gay in the first dash.

It was certainly no warmer at 8.48pm when the gun went for the final and there were only three men in contention – Gay, Dix and Blake. The 2009 World silver medallist got a superb start in lane four and quickly established a good margin. Dix in his pursuit sustained an injury in the later half of the contest which basically halted his progress (last in 12.46) leaving Gay clear up-front, who crossed in 9.78. Blake, 20, his nearest challenger established a new PB 9.89, his previous was 9.95, and it was a meet record and world season lead for Gay.

“I wasn’t expecting to go that fast in these conditions but I knew I was in good shape and was going to go fast,” said Gay. “I was hobbling a bit at the end, my groin is a little sore but I’m sure it’s OK.

“I wasn’t necessarily sending a message to Asafa and Usain, I was just running my own race. I think there’s more to come.”

Lopes-Schliep – meet record and world season lead too

Perhaps we shouldn’t have been that surprised at the times in the dash considering that three events earlier in the programme the women’s sprint hurdlers had also proved that the cold and wet were no bar to fast times.

The two heat winners Sally Pearson (12.66; +1.3) and Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (12.71; +0.9) have had many memorable races together, they are respectively the 2008 Olympic silver and bronze medallists, and tonight was another ding-dong affair.

The Australian Pearson was the quickest away of the entire field (0.128 reaction time) in the final and led comfortably until her Canadian rival applied a second half surge which took her well clear by the tape 12.52 to 12.61 sec (+0.2). The winning time was a meet record and the only other world lead of the first session of this two day London meeting. With double World Indoor champion Lolo Jones finishing third (12.66) this leaves Lopes-Schliep and the American tied on 14pts in the Diamond Race with one competition in the 100m Hurdles remaining, and  $40,000 and the Diamond Trophy up for grabs.

“You never know what’s going to happen in hurdles, you can’t worry about anyone else, so I just went out and focused on myself… I don’t worry about the weather. I feel that my mental strength gave me the edge,” confirmed Lopes-Schliep.

Felix flies

There is no one close to Felix in the 200m Diamond Race after tonight, the reigning triple World champion dominating this field to finish in 22.37 sec (0.5), with veteran Debbie Ferguson-Mckenzie, 2004 Olympic bronze medallist, who is 10 years older than the 24 year-old American the only other under 23sec (2nd 22.88).

Vlasic exhibits confidence in the wet

Blanka Vlasic, the double World High Jump champion indoors and out and the recent winner of the European title, does not like wet conditions – hey what high jumper does – but it has especially been an unwelcome element in the career of the great Croatian who it could be argued caused by a soaked jumping surface in Brussels in 2008 lost a share of the Golden League $1 Million Jackpot in that year. Tonight the 28-year-old didn’t just master the slippery conditions she was a veritable water nymph by comparison to her opponents who could scale no better than a 1.91m bar.

Vlasic sailed effortlessly over four heights to 1.98 without a sign of trouble, took two attempts to make 2.01m, and wow wasn’t that second successful clearance graceful, and had three game attempts at 2.04 which would have been the world season’s best performance. It wasn’t to be but this is someone who by the end of the night had managed to put fear far to the back of her mind as the manner of her jumping personified confidence. Vlasic now has six out of six victories in her Diamond Race. Impressive!

“I have a fear of wet surfaces to jump on so I’m happy I beat the field today. It was a big challenge for me… but by the end I couldn’t feel my legs it was so cold,” confirmed Vlasic.

Not such a bright homecoming

Considering the record haul of medals by the British team in Barcelona, the greatest ever number achieved by the country in European Championship history, tonight’s meeting organisers had quite rightly arranged and duly delivered a run past the stands by many of the British medallists to celebrate their achievements. Despite the fact that it took place after the end of all competition much of the capacity crowd stayed behind to applaud.

It was a level of devoted support that was also shown throughout the night when ever a local appeared, though in the case of two Barcelona heroes it was not quite the homecoming they would have preferred.

In a 3000m staged for 5000m and 10,000m continental champion Mo Farah, even the screams and urging of 16,000 voices could not push him to victory, as he was held off by USA’s 2007 World 1500 and 5000m champion Bernard Lagat, losing a close battle 7:40.75 to 7:40.36 with Lagat in full control.

Competing on the runway which runs parallel to the finishing straight World and European champion and Olympic Triple Jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu was having an even worse competitive return to home shores, the Briton managing no better than sixth, 16.54m. Winning was Sweden’s former World and Olympic champion Christian Olsson, in a season’s best of 17.41m (-0.7), who prevailed over world season leader Teddy Tamgho of France, who retains top spot in the Diamond Race for the event with 10pts.

Kaki no closer to sub 1:42; Langat shows her class

Not contesting Diamond Race points here but still pusuing his first ever sub 1:42 time was double World Indoor 800m champion Abubaker Kaki of Sudan but the 49.24 sec clocking at mid-point by pace Khadevis Robinson was too rich for Kaki’s blood and while he prevailed in 1:44.38, he was being hunted down by USA’s exciting young miler Andrew Wheating (1:44.56 PB) and compatriot Nick Symmonds (1:45.28).

Olympic 1500m champion Nancy Langat, a surprise when she won that crown two years ago with no other international wins during that 2008 season, is now looking the real deal in that champion’s mould. After six Diamond League races she now leads the battle for the season long prize with 17 points, after comfortably seeing off in a time of 4:07.60, Russia’s Anna Alminova (4:08.82) and Britain’s Lisa Dobriskey (4:09.07).

Another stealing a march on his opponents in the Diamond Race was Bershawn Jackson in the 400m Hurdles. The 2005 World champion was stalked all the way to the line by Puerto Rico’s always impressive Javier Culson, the American prevailing 48.12 to 48.17sec. Jackson now has 20 points in the Diamond Race. Britain’s newly crowned European champion David Greene was third, 49.09.

On the track the penultimate event was the women’s 5000m with Tirunesh Dibaba’s 14:36.41 bettering Kenyan World champion Vivian Cheruiyot, 14:38.17, in a typical display of last lap sprinting brilliance by Ethiopia’s Olympic 5000m and 10,000m gold medallist

Summing-up the rest of the night, the 3000m Steeplechase was won by Kenyan Paul Kipsiele Koech (8:17.70), while on the infield Czech World record holder Barbora Spotakova, nursing an arm injury, won the Javelin Throw with one attempt (63.50m). In the Shot, a fourth round 20.27m put by Belarus’ Nadezhda Ostapchuk was enough to hold off the 19.83m rally of World and Olympic champion Valerie Adams-Vili, and in the Long Jump there was a win for Russian Darya Klishina, 6.65m, in a low key competition.

Photo: Erik F. Brandsborg

Today we have heard that Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell has pulled out of the 100 metres at the Aviva Grand Prix this Friday because of ongoing problems with his back injury.

Organisers confirmed on Wednesday that Powell was still struggling with the same injury that forced him to pull out of last Friday’s Diamond League meeting in Stockholm.

The 27-year-old said on Tuesday he had been nursing over the past month a series of injuries linked to an initial groin problem, and that he was monitoring his fitness “day by day”.

American Tyson Gay is now the only star sprinter competing at the London Grand Prix. World and Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt had already disappointed locals when he said he would not be competing in Crystal Palace.

European 10,000m and 5,000m champion Mo Farah will be taking to the track in the men’s 3000m on Friday night and will be facing tough competition from close rival Bernard Lagat, as well as from fellow Brit Chris Thompson, the European 10,000m silver medallist. Former world 1500m and 5000m champion Lagat has enjoyed a solid season, recording a time of 7:32.16 over 3000m in Ostrava in May which puts him third in the current world lead times. Thompson, buoyed by his outstanding performance in Barcelona, will be looking for a well placed finish and Farah will surely be looking to stamp his authority on the track once again.

Kings of the track Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay are set to battle it out on British soil for the second time this year when they take to their blocks for the 100m on Friday night. With their head to head score currently sitting at 8 – 6 to Gay, Powell will surely be looking for a win to readdress the balance. The Jamaican sprinter currently holds the world lead time of 9.82, shared with a certain Usain Bolt so has run faster than Gay this year, but it doesn’t look like the fastest American of all time is going to let that stand in the way of another triumph on the track, after he beat Usain for the first time over the distance last week in Stockholm.

Over in the triple jump pit it looks like it’s going to be a battle of the Europeans, with Sweden’s Christian Olsson, France’s European bronze medallist and reigning indoor champion Teddy Tamgho and Britain’s very own reigning World and newly crowned European Champion Phillips Idowu. Idowu has triumphed in his previous battles with Tamgho this year, most recently at the European Championships where the Brit took the gold, leaving the Frenchman to claim the bronze medal. Olsson, the former European Champion, was absent from the European Championships in Barcelona due to injury but will be fully fit in time for the Aviva London Grand Prix. The last time all three athletes went head to head was at the New York leg of the Diamond League in June where Tamgho produced an astonishing leap of 17.98m, leaving Olsson to finish second with Idowu in third place so it will be interesting to see what Friday’s result is!

European 400m hurdles Champion Dai Greene and fellow countryman Reese Williams, the European Silver medallist, will be on the track at Crystal Palace, taking on rivals Bershawn Jackson and Felix Sanchez. Former world champion Jackson has had a solid season and currently holds the 2010 world lead time of 47.32s. Sanchez, the former world and Olympic champion, sits just below Greene in the current world rankings and will be looking to finish as close to  Jackson as possible. Greene has spoken of his ambition to break Kiss Akabusi’s long standing 400m hurdles British record and has said that the Aviva London Grand Prix might be the place that he finally manages it. Friday the 13th is unlucky for some, but could it turn out to be Greene’s lucky day? Watch this space!

Other highlights from Friday night’s line up include the women’s 200m where three time World champion Allyson Felix will also be up against newly crowned double European Champion Tatyana Firova and world high jump champion Blanka Vlasic, who, over the weekend, added the European Champion title to her already impressive list of achievements, will go head to head with American record holder Chaunte Lowe (nee Howard) in a hotly contested competition.

It’s set to be a great evening of athletics and all round entertainment, click here to get your tickets now before they are all gone

Below is the schedule of when our European medallists will be competing over Friday and Saturday so you can get your Union flags at the ready!

Friday

Mo Farah (3,000m) @ 18.09

Dai Greene (400m Hurdles) @ 19.04

Rhys Williams (400m Hurdles) @ 19.04

Phillips Idowu (Triple Jump) @ 19.38

Michael Rimmer (800m) @ 19.59

Mark Lewis Francis (100m) in heats @ 19.14/24 and in final @ 20.48

Saturday

Andy Turner (110m Hurdles) @ 14.28/57 and in final @ 16.08

Chris Tomlinson (long jump) @ 15.03

Perri Shakes Drayton (400m Hurdles) @ 15.07

Jenny Meadows (800m) @ 15.18

Fans can delight in seeing their favourite athletics heroes once again as these former greats share the track with the current Aviva GB team heroes returning from Barcelona in front of a capacity crowd at the Aviva London Grand Prix. The Aviva Legends Relay will showcase a who’s who of Olympic and World medal holders, each vying to lift the Aviva Legends Relay Trophy.

The gloves are off for the grudge race as multi Olympic medal winner Roger Black, Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener, Olympic sprinting legend John Regis and Olympic silver medallist Iwan Thomas will size each other up to see who has still got what it takes to be the best in a 4x100m race.

Team Black Captain, Roger Black said of the upcoming Aviva Legends Relay, “I’m looking forward to competing on the track again, my team and I have been working hard together and have a chemistry which will inevitability bring us glory.”

Team Gardener Captain, Jason Gardener said of the upcoming Aviva Legends Relay, “Looking at the competition, I know my team has the competitive edge as I’m the only team captain racing to have an Olympic Gold for the 4×100 m relay.”

Team Regis Captain, John Regis said for the upcoming Aviva Legends Relay, “I jumped at the chance to compete in the Aviva Legends Relay against Roger, Jason and Iwan. It’s going to give me an opportunity to prove once and for all that I’ve still got what it takes to beat them on the track.”

Team Thomas Captain, Iwan Thomas said for the upcoming Aviva Legends Relay, “As a very competitive person, I’m taking this very seriously and have been training hard for this Aviva Legends Relay. Team Thomas will definitely be at the top of the podium, there is a no way we’re coming anywhere but first.”

photo by Nadja von Massow

Enjoy two thrilling days of world-class athletics and a real party atmosphere at the Aviva London Grand Prix as the world ‘s top athletics stars jet into Crystal Palace.

The best of British will be on show as we welcome back the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team fresh from record breaking European Championship success in Barcelona, including gold medallists Mo Farah and Phillips Idowu. So far 13 of the successful British medallists have confirmed their attendance!

Part of the new and prestigious Samsung Diamond League, a series of the top 14 grand prix meets from around the world, expect to see fierce competition as the sports big names clash on the track and field.

The officials have got their starter’s guns at the ready as the fastest man in the world this year, Jamaica’s Asafa Powell, takes on former triple world champion USA ’s Tyson Gay in the 100m.

As well as the current crop of stars, athletics fans are in for a real treat as four legendary Great British athletes are donning their spikes and returning to the track for the Aviva Legends Relay. Olympic medallists Roger Black, Jason Gardener, John Regis and Iwan Thomas will be on the track for a head-to-head race on Saturday 14th August.

After successfully setting up Bromley parkrun, Ashlee Corfe handed over the event to a well trained, confident and friendly team at Bromley. She thought that South London could do with another parkrun and there wasn’t a better place than Crystal Palace Park. “I think that the heritage and the build-up to the Olympics will impact this park and what a time to utilise the space with local runners during this occasion,” commented Ashlee.

When the word got out that parkrun was coming to Crystal Palace the e-mails started flooding in saying that clubs, people, etc were so excited and could not wait to have one near them. Since starting, Crystal Palace parkrun took off and within the first month it has averaged 57 people per week. The volunteer team are extremely dedicated with lots of enthusiasm. The feedback from the participants is extremely positive even though people say the course is tough due to some hills but that is what makes it.

The good thing about Crystal Palace parkrun is that you can turn the day into an outing for the whole family by having a picnic, checking out the Dinosaur area, National Sports Centre and Athletics Stadium or the farm. For more information please visit the Crystal Palace Park website. So what is holding you back?

Come down and experience this high energy, friendly atmosphere for yourself. Even if you don’t want to run but would like to be a part of the team we are always looking for new volunteers.
To register please go to www.parkrun.com or for more information please contact Ashlee Corfe on 020 8323 1718 or e-mail events@bromleymytime.org.uk

ProSport Photos

The last Crystal Palace triathlon I competed in was 10 years ago and although my times have not improved much it is still one of the best organised racing events I’ve completed. A totally self-contained racing event in London is very rare these days and it is a joy not to have to worry about traffic, pedestrians or the like and the National Sports Centre’s 50m pool pool provided an excellent ‘baptism’ for those wary of sea and lake swims.  Spectator support was excellent both in the pool and on the running/cycling course.

Over 500 adult and 150 junior competitors as well as spectators turned up on what was the hottest day of the year. The standards of the race and its competitors keep on rising and this year was no exception, with an increasingly competitive field adding to the excitement and entertainment for everyone who had turned up to cheer on their friends and family.

The day started with Club members and marshals arriving at 6am to set up and prepare the course ready for the adult race at 9am, followed by the junior races in the Youth (15-16), TriStar 3 (13-14), TriStar 2 (11-12), TriStar (9-10) and TriStart (8) categories in the afternoon.

Tim Weston, who competed in his first triathlon, said:”…just fantastic. The race today was my first triathlon but clearly not yours, the organisation and marshalling were truly superb. My deep thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in putting this event together”.

Paul Crouch, a regular competitor, said:” Many thanks for yet another superbly organised Crystal Palace Tri today.  The event ran really well and the marshalls and support teams were again excellent.  I shall be returning next year”.

Crystal Palace Triathletes Chairperson John Petrides said:“Our race gets bigger and better every year. I don’t know how we are going to beat today’s event. All the competitors seemed to enjoy the experience, commenting on what a friendly and supportive club we are, and all want to come back to this sell-out event next year.”

“We have seen some really competitive racing today, not just from the adults but also from the various junior age groups, right down to the TriStarts doing their first ever race” added John.

After a gruelling race in the heat, in the end it was Neil Harris from 7 Oaks Tri Club who took home the first prize in the men’s competition, whilst the women’s race was won by Grainne O’Donnell from Serpentine. The winning Veterans (40+) were Jon Horsman from Crystal Palace Triathletes and Claire Hitchings from 7Oaks Tri Club. The winning SuperVets (50+) were Ian Birch from Hillingdon Triathletes and Karen Grieves. Links to the full results can be found on the Club website.

The winners of the junior races were:

Junior – Rory Atkins, Optima Racing Team and Bethaney Hall, RG Active / triandrun, who was racing in her first ever triathlon

TriStar 3 – Lewis Hawkins, Jetstream Tri Club and Greta Sharp, Crystal Palace Triathletes

TriStar 2 – Alex Yee, Crystal Palace Triathletes and Orla Fawcett, Amersham TriStars

TriStar 1 – Sindead Clark, East Essex Tri and Dominic King

TriStart – Jacob Patterson and Zahra Chilsholm from Thames Turbo

Prizes were generously donated by triandrun, with spot prizes on the from Foska, Zone3 wetsuits, TriSport Coaching, TriTowel,Pool-Mate, Cherry Active and SwimShop. Competitors were also given a bottle of For Goodness Shakes to help them recover after the race.

Details of the 2011 race will be announced later this year on the Club website. Anyone wishing to be put on the race mailing list should  email CPT.

With the closing date for registration fast approaching – entries close Sunday, 17 May – the Wellness Run offers a 5km or a 10km track as well as a host of family activities, from bouncy castles and penalty shoot-outs through to musical entertainment.   To enter, simply log on to www.wellnessrun.org.uk and complete the application form.

Now in its fourth year, the Wellness Run has chosen to support Diabetes UK – the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.  All money raised from the event will be donated to the charity and anyone wanting a free fundraising pack should contact the Diabetes UK Support Team www.diabetes.org.uk or call
020 7424 1116.

Diabetes UK is committed to funding more than £7 million of medical research every year to help find a cure.  Currently 2.3 million people in the UK are diagnosed with diabetes and more than 500,000 also have the condition, but are not aware of it.

Roz Rosenblatt, London Regional Manager at Diabetes UK, said: “We are delighted that once again the Wellness Run has chosen to fundraise for Diabetes UK and raise awareness of diabetes. The run will not only be a fun day for all, but will also raise funds which will go towards the vital work of Diabetes UK and raise awareness of the importance of physical activity – a key factor for good diabetes management.”

This year’s Wellness run will also see a series of children’s running activities organised  alongside the main event.  These include:-

• 25 metre tots race – for ages 0 – 4 years
• 100 metre kids race – for ages 5 – 10 years
• 3km active race – for ages 11 – 15 years

All races for under 16 years are free of charge.  A registration fee of £10 applies for members of GLL’s Wellness prepaid health and fitness or £15 for non-members.  GLL also offers 5k and 10k training plans to help people prepare for the event.  For further information log on to www.wellnessrun.org.uk

Comments event organiser, Wendy Balch: “The Wellness Run is a fun day out for the whole family to enjoy – it’s the perfect way to keep fit and enjoy yourself at the same time.  Having a goal really helps to keep people motivated as they train in the gym, pool or on the track.  There is something for everyone – even if you just want to support and cheer the runners on.  And, everyone who completes the race will receive a medal.  We’re also out to raise awareness for this year’s charity, Diabetes UK.  So, sign up now and secure your place on the run.”

Following a major refurbishment programme, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre will be re-opening to the public on Thursday 30th April 2009.

Initially the centre will be operating reduced opening hours, with the main building open in the afternoons (from 2.00pm) whilst further building work is completed.  It is anticipated that the centre will open fully on Monday 25th May.

From this date the following facilities will be available: 50 metre pool, teaching pool, diving pool, training pool, main arena, north balcony, dance studio and multisports rooms.

Until further notice, the gym will continue to be located in the lodge, while work will continue on the dry side changing rooms and squash courts over the next two to three months.

Over the past 18 months CPNSC has benefited from the refurbishment of vital plant and pumping equipment, the replacement and renewal of lights and heating systems and other critical services including a new fire alarm system and improved CCTV.

Further details on opening hours are available at www.gll.org