Seven Championship records tumbled on what felt like a winter’s day at the 2021 Sussex Track & Field Champs.
More than 600 athletes had entered the event, at Withdean, Brighton, on Sunday, but less competed as a result of last minute Covid isolation pull outs.
Still, the competition proved strong, particularly in the lower age groups.
The first CBP fell in one of the opening events – the Under 20 triple jump – when Crawley’s Adeline Preston leapt 11.54m beating the previous record of 11.43m. Adeline went on to win the 100m in 12.60s.
Later on in the day, in another Under 20 jumping event, Mame Diarra Sow (Crawley) took a 30-year-old record with an impressive 5.66m.
Over in the javelin Jemima Caldwell (U17 Crawley) and Dulcie Yelling (U15 Brighton and Hove) were making their marks. Caldwell threw 44.17m and Yelling 39.70m – both record breaking distances.
In the Pole Vault, the current UK number 1, Gemma Tutton didn’t disappoint. The talented Lewes AC athlete vaulted a fantastic 4m on Sunday, a new CBP but short of her 4.10m personal best.
The last two records came on the track from two Crawley athletes. Under 20 Timi Esan clocked 10.65s in the 100m – breaking Bailey Wright’s previous record of 10.72s
Then Elliot Hanslow, holder of the current Under 13 75m hurdle record, set a new Under 15 80m hurdle record in a time of 11.50s.
Elliot wasn’t the only athlete to retain a gold medal having moved up age groups since the last champs were held in 2019. Others to do this included Chichester Runners’ Joshua Dunne, who clocked a superb 2:05.91 Under 15 800m, having won the Under 13 title two years ago.
Under 17 Michelle Okorie (Crawley) was another having won the Under 15 title two years ago.
Next week some of the counties top athletes will travel to the English Schools. One of these is Under 15 Elodie Bradley (Brighton and Hove AC), who was on form on Sunday. She took double gold in the 100m (12.54s) and 200m (26.54s).
Noa Maoundus (Crawley AC) also won two golds in the Under 17 100m (12.49s) and 80m hurdles (11.64s).
Next weekend will also see the Sussex Under 13 Track and Field Champs with Under 11 QuadKids, also taking place at Withdean, Brighton.
Last year all Sussex Track and Field Champs were cancelled due to Covid It was touch and go whether this one would go ahead. Fitting it in to a busy summer calendar, complying with Covid regulations and dealing with a lack of volunteers, were all some of the hurdles that had to be overcome. However, the decision to go ahead was made. Squeezing it on to one day, reducing the timetable and moving it to Withdean made it possible. Although not ideal, it was great to see county track and field athletics back. A big thank you to everyone that gave their time and support to this event.