It was a weekend of sunshine and stunning competition at the track and field county champs at the weekend.
Celebrating its 100th year, more than 1000 athletes descended on the K2 in Crawley to take part.
Across the two days there were nine championship records, some top UK ranking performances and on day two a world record for W55 Julia Machin.
Taking centre stage in the high jump, the Brighton & Hove AC athlete, Julia leapt to an amazing 1.58m. As a coach and athlete in the county, she is a true inspiration to those around her.
Also in fine form across the whole weekend was Jessica Bliss (Brighton & Hove). The under 20 clocked a CBP of 14.44 in the 100mH taking Leanne Buxton’s previous record. She also won golds in the javelin (36.10) and the 100m , where she was in a very close battle with Eastbourne’s Caitlyn Spencer. Both were given 12.83.
Reuben Shewan, Chichester, matched Jessica’s hat trick of individual Golds winning the under 15 long jump (5.45), high jump (1.70m) and triple jump, where his leap of 11.90 ranks him 2nd in the UK.
Also sitting at the very top end of the rankings in triple jump is under 17 Jaiten Best (Brighton & Hove). She jumped an impressive 12.10 to break the previous CBP of 11.71 from 2006. On top of this she took gold in the long jump (5.50).
Over the last 10 years, Sussex has become a leading light in the pole vault, and Saturday’s results proved why.
Both Crawley’s Milo Hilborne and Lewes’ Bill Scott equalled the current under 15 boys’ CBP with 3.70m Milo winning the gold medal.
In the girls contest of the same age group, rising star Florence Matten (Brighton & Hove) took the CBP with a jump of 3.21m, and then under 20, Imogen Clarke, managed a strong PB of 3.41.
Second year in the under 15 boys’ age group, Archie Oates, finished the weekend with double CBPs first in the shot put with 14.51 followed by the discus with 44.50. He’s definitely one to watch as the season continues.
It was blistering conditions for the 5K runners on the Sunday, but HY AC’s Imogen Matthews, was definitely not phased by this clocking a senior woman’s CBP of 17.47.
The 9th CBP came in the senior women’s triple jump where Kuria Kenmochi leapt a brilliant 12.59m.
Other impressive performances over the two days included Isla Pearson (Chichester) winning gold in the under 15 girls’ 300m in a time of 42.36 (just outside the championship record of 42.14).
Isabella Buchanan took gold in the 800m on the Saturday then winning the 1500m on the Sunday in 4.40.48 was also just outside the championship record of 4.39.30.
A Sussex AA Track & Field Champs’ report wouldn’t feel right without mentioning Alice Howie. Although no CBP for the Worthing District Harrier, the talented hammer under 20 thrower managed a amazing PB of 53.01 taking her to the top of the UK rankings.
Congratulations to all athletes who competed across the competition and a huge thank you to all the officials and volunteers who gave up hours of their time to make the event happen.