26 June 2008

The most unique and exciting field events competition will be held this weekend at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium as athletes of all ages go head to head at the UK Athletics Jumps and Throws Fest 2008.

Spread over 28-29 June, the first day of competition will host shot, seated shot, discus, long jump and high jump. While javelin, hammer, triple jump and pole vault events will take place on the final day.

UK number one ranked high jumper Samson Oni (Belgrave Harriers), who secured the Olympic A standard of 2.30m at BAL, Birmingham early in the season, will use the Fest to confirm his current form as he hopes for Olympic team selection. Hot on his heals will be Robbie Grabarz (Bedford & County) who chased Oni at BIG, Bedford and set a new personal best of 2.27m.

Nathan Douglas (Oxford City) will continue his search for the Olympic A standard in the triple jump, his season best of 16.82m (w) has been enough to boost him to third in the UK Athletics Power of Ten rankings but not yet put him in the eye of the Olympic selection panel.

Junior Curtis Griffith-Parker (Cambridge Harriers), who was recently selected to represent Great Britain at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Poland on the 8-13 July, will compete in the discus alongside experienced thrower Emeka Udechuku (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies).

Junior GB teammate Pete Smith (Kingston Upon Hull AC) pays perfect testament to the competitions’ unique system of judging events by performance only not age groups, as he lines up in the hammer as top performer despite being just 17 years old.

Paul Aldrige, competition manager, said: “This is the event of the year for field athletes. In it’s fourth year the Festival has again drawn some of the best names in domestic field events.

“Many of the senior athletes will use the competition to chase Olympic qualifying marks, while younger athletes continue their summer season campaigning for UK Challenge points, personal bests and World Junior Championships preparations.”

For more information visit Fest 2008