The IAAF Continental Cup took place in Marrakesh, Morocco, over the weekend of 13-14 September as the track and field season drew to a close. The event is dubbed as the ‘world cup of athletics’ and it was Team Europe who secured the victory over the other continents with 16 British athletes contributing to the success.

Tiffany Porter recorded a new national record in the women’s 100m hurdles in a time of 12.51 (+0.7 wind). This took 0.04 seconds off the old mark set by Jessica Ennis-Hill. Porter was second in the race behind the American Dawn Harper-Nelson who set a championship record but her new lifetime best finished Porter’s season in style to add to her European title in August.

European champion James Dasaolu pulled off another great victory when he won the 100m in a time of 10.03 (-0.1 wind). He got off to a superb start and was clear at 60 metres but the others closed rapidly before the finish and the Briton got the verdict by a few inches from the American Mike Rodgers who timed 10.04.

Eilidh Child had one of her best results of the year to finish second in the 400m hurdles in 54.42 behind Kaliese Spencer. Child has remarkably finished in the top three of every event she has participated in this season.

The co-captain of Team Europe, Jo Pavey, ended her track season on a high with a third place finish in the 5000m. A fast finish saw her nearly grab second place ahead of Joyce Chepkirui but she finished in a time of 15:58.67. Pavey’s eyes now avert to the roads where she will compete at the Great Scottish Run next month.

Lynsey Sharp was fifth in the 800 metres in 2:00.80 while Martyn Rooney was seventh in the 400m in 45.93. William Sharman was third in the 110m hurdles in 13.25.

It was an all British team that represented Europe in the 4x100m relay as they raced to second place. The British record breaking team from the Zurich Diamond League of Asha Philip, Ashleigh Nelson, Anyika Onuora and Desiree Henry finished in a time of 42.98.

A men’s team featuring three Britons (James Ellington, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Richard Kilty) finished second in the men’s 4x100m relay in 38.62.

Conrad Williams and Martyn Rooney were part of Europe’s 4x400m relay team. In one of the most thrilling races of the meet, Rooney was embroiled in a sprint finish with Wayne van Niekirk representing Africa but the latter narrowly prevailed. Europe’s team recorded a time of 3:00.10.

Team Europe won the competition overall on 447.5 points ahead of the Americas on 390 points. Africa were third on 339 points with Asia/Pacific a distant fourth on 257.5 points.