Right on track! East Cheshire Harriers enjoy success in shortened season

The performances this season from East Cheshire Harriers athletes and others who have competed in this shortened season have been phenomenal and all athletes have been a credit to their coaches and club, writes Joan Knott.

We have had a short but successful outdoor season for our sprinters and multi event athletes which has resulted in three ECH athletes ending their seasons in the top 10 of the UK rankings. To have such a successful season in what has been an ever changing and challenging situation is amazing! All of the athletes involved have had to complete some of their training without the stimulus provided by clubmates.

Hayley Simpson has done a wonderful job organising the coaching to meet COVID requirements. She produced challenges during lockdown, organised the coaches initially for 1-1 training and later in small groups. She also managed a personal best for the 10K at Trafford.

Athletes and coaches have worked unbelievably hard during this difficult and challenging time. ECH Coaches are all amateurs working or studying from home and they have done everything possible to ensure our athletes have not only had the opportunity to race but in addition to train and compete.

Maddison Vernon continued to produce top class performances in good company, the best being a 12.22 100m at Trafford that put her 8th in the UK listing for u17w 100m. Her selection onto the British Athletics Youth Talent Programme marks the beginning of her athletics journey on the performance pathway.

This year saw an astounding 350 applications from across the country with the quality of applications astonishing, which made selection even tougher for the panel. The 2 year programme will give Maddie the opportunity to learn, train and develop the necessary skills needed for senior success and development as an elite athlete and support long-term GB and Commonwealth Games potential. This is a fantastic achievement and has come through hard work, determination and dedication to the sport.

Lily Murphy burst into the scene this Summer with some storming runs, the best being a 12.37 100m run that represented a UK leading u15 time, and a 25.34 200m that put her 5th on the UK list for that event

Meanwhile, multi event athlete James Harney ended the season in the top 10 of the u15b indoor and outdoor pentathlon rankings, and in doing so was 6th in the rankings for 80m hurdles and 10th for long jump

Jack Dobson had 3 athletes competing throughout the Trafford series all producing PB's.

Wendy Andrews had 8 athletes competing throughout the Trafford series with 6 athletes producing PB's across 2 sprint events and 2 athletes PB'S across 3 sprint events.

Ian Halliday had 4 athletes competing throughout the Trafford series and further afield with all 4 producing PB's over a variety of events.

Mike Coogan was consistent as ever across 100, 200, 300 and 400m with a PB coming in the 100m at Harrow and a UK V45 record broken in the 300m at Worthing.

None of this would have been achievable if it hadn't been for the prompt re-opening of the facility to allow the athletes to train. A special mention therefore to Hayley Simpson who has gone above and beyond in what has been a very challenging year.

Taking into account the nature of training and competition this season, and the extra effort and commitment required to get quality work in, these are outstanding performances of which everyone should be proud.