6 May 2012

It was A great day for Lawrence Clarke (coach: Malcolm Arnold) and Andrew Pozzi (Malcolm Arnold).

The 110m hurdles duo both secured the UKA A standard and personal best times at the London 2012 athletics test event.

Clarke’s run of 13.50 was inside of the 13.52 standard time and the 22-year-old admits he is geared up for a competitive summer ahead.

“I’m really pleased. It’s a good marker for the season and it takes the pressure off as everyone has to run the qualification standard. Things have gone a lot better since the indoors. In the indoors I was worrying too much about times and doing the time here today has taken a lot of pressure off.

“I’m much better on the technical side when I actually think about it. I’ve never run that quick, it’s scary because the hurdles come that quick! I just want to be in the top two come the trials and I want to be in the top two at the trials.”

Earlier in the day, Clarke’s training partner Pozzi competed in the British University & College Sports Championships (BUCS) element of the test event and recorded a time of 13.52.

“I’m really proud to be in here right now (the Olympic Stadium) and I’m really chuffed,” he reflected.

“I was always hoping for the A standard, but to get it here in the stadium where I hope to come and compete again is great.”

Two more Malcolm Arnold coached athletes Jack Green and Eilidh Child had encouraging races in the men’s and women’s 400m, with Green running a personal best (46.05).

“It was nice to stake my claims for the relay and hopefully I will be able to run in the Olympic Stadium in the relay and hurdles,” said Green.

“I wanted to test myself against the best in the country and Conrad (Williams) has been up there for so many years so it’s a great scalp to have and I’m looking forward to the summer.”

Second place Conrad Williams (Linford Christie) was pleased with his work-out in the Olympic Stadium.

“It was brilliant, shame the weather was not great but nevertheless the crowd was here and I know it will be even better come August.

“My run was ok. I was probably a little bit jet lagged as I came back from America in the week. It was blowing the cob webs off today. My season has begun now and will start racing week by week.”

Elsewhere there were victories for Gareth Warbuton (Darrell Maynard) in the men’s 800m and Laura Weightman (Steve Cram) in the women’s 3000m. Youngster Jessica Judd (Jeremy Freeman) produced a run beyond her tender years in the women’s 800m and secured a sensational PB of 2:02.50 to win.

As the evening drew to a close, Sophie Papps (Neil Dodson) once again showed her undoubted talent to win the women’s 200m in a personal best time of 23.62. Sam Watts was the men’s winner in the 200m.