The British Masters Athletics Federation (BMAF) Indoor Track and Field Championships took place over the 17th-18th of February. It was a weekend of strong performances at the masters indoors with lots of representation for the club resulting in an impressive medal haul.
Up first on the Saturday we had Clem Leon in the M65 triple jump. Clem’s impressive jump of 9.33m earned him the national indoor title and was only the beginning of a successful weekend. Clem went on to also collect 3 more medals; picking up silver in the high jump and bronze in the long jump and 60m. Speaking to the well respected athlete and coach he explained that it was his “first championship race/field events since tearing [his] hamstring last year in Torun at the worlds”. Further reflecting on his first event of 2024 he said “I was pleased to come away with 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals and still retained my British title in the triple jump. Still realising that I need to do more speed work on the track but I had a great weekend at the British champs”.
Roger Platt entered his first BMAF competition since he began competing in 2019. He completed a vault of 3.40m to equal his PB and take home a silver medal in the M50 category, leaving him ranked 2nd in the UK for his age group.
On the same day Samantha Williams earnt her first medal of the weekend. Williams finished the Saturday with a 27.82s 200m, resulting in national title and returned for a second title on Sunday; this time in the 400m, completing her race in a SB of 64.03s. Also competing in both the 200m and 400m was Ian Firla (M50) in his debut race for 2024. Alongside fellow M50, Richard Holt, who ran 61.94s and placed 3rd in his heat.
Later in the evening Matthew Ellerton (M50) collected a silver medal in the 3000m walk, his shortest distance so far this year!
Sunday went well for Duayne Bovell (M35) who returned with the national 60m title, but not before he managed to overcome some difficulties in round one. Unfortunately “the first round was a bit controversial because of ‘spike gate’ so [he] had to borrow a pair of spikes for the heats”. Conflicting information meant his choice of ceramic spike, usually allowed for use at Lee Valley, caused confusion on the day. Despite which Bovell said “the weekend went pretty well” and he “had a good run in the final to take gold in a seasons best” covering the distance in 7.13s.
Ashley Reid (M40) also competed in the 60m, placing 4th in the final with a seasons best of 7.79s. Reid also competed in Saturday’s long jump and 200m with great season openers of 5.36m and 25.35s. In a later 60m race, we saw Tom Phillips (M65), just 0.07s behind Clem, take 4th place.
Helen Godsell (W70), having recently set European age group records in both the 200m and 60m, raced in these events again at the championships. Her times of 9.36s and 31.94s came very close to the achievements of the week before and ensured she returned victorious and with a double national title! Daniela Sage (W45) had a great run over the 60m at her first national championship and returned with some silverware and a personal best of 8.65s!
Louisa Vallins (W45) didn’t attend this years BMAF indoor championships, instead opting for two rounds at the February edition Sutcliffe 60m series where she ran 2 PBs! Leading to her current ranking of UK no.1 W45!
Well done to everyone who competed and good luck to those selected for the EMAA inter-area indoors next Sunday!
Holly Platt
