13 July 2008

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The final day of action saw some more excellent performances at the Aviva National Championships and Team GB Trials – as athletes achieved Olympic qualifying standards a-plenty and some world class performances were posted by Beijing hopefuls.

3000mSC

Helen Clitheroe (Preston) took the UK record with a popular victory in the women’s 3000m steeplechase – out sprinting Barbara Parker (Norwich) on the final lap for a 9.36.98 win. Parker – who took the UK record earlier this season whilst studying in the USA, competed well but could not stick with the strength of Clitheroe’s final 400m, but finished well with 9.40.10

Clitheroe, who claimed a $2500 prize for her record said: “my big improvement is my water jump – I’ve been working o that and it showed today as I made up so much time on that barrier – that’s the best I have done at that jump.”

200m

Emily Freeman (Wakefield) nailed yet another Olympic A standard in winning the 200m ahead of Christine Ohuruogu (Newham & Essex), but most impressive was her time of 22.92 on an afternoon of changeable wind making life difficult in the sprints. Ohuruogu came back strongly to clock 22.99 but Freeman was composed and showed the form that has taken her to repeated A standards this season.

Freeman said “It was a big relief – showed I could keep my head on in the big occasion – and winning here in Olympic year is amazing. – I need to thank my support team at Sheffield and Lea Valley for getting me here.”

There was an equally impressive men’s 200m final – with Christian Malcolm (Cardiff) taking the title ahead of Alex Nelson (Sale) in thrilling circumstances. Malcolm, who got a poor start worked the final straight in great style, overtaking Nelson to take the front spot and nail the Olympic A standard with excellent timing. His 20.52 eclipsing Nelsons 20.61 to take a popular victory.

Malcolm said: “I knew I was going to run well because I have had a good winter and I am injury free. I felt strong all weekend and it has come together at the right time – I have run a season’s best and to get the A standard is a great bonus.”

Nelson said – in reference to his sister Ashlee taking silver at the World Juniors this week: “Ashlee has been quite an inspiration this week. I thought if she’s outdone me there (he won bronze in 2006) I’m going to make sure I pull my finger out and do something about it.”