23 July 2009

Britain’s top club athletes will return to the popular annual McCain JumpsFest  and ThrowsFest at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on the 25^th and 26^th July as they continue on their McCain UK Challenge (UKC) journey.

The event specific competition – now in its fifth year –attracts  high standard of domestic athletes   and invariably produces top performances and invites McCain Power of Ten rankings changes.

Athletes battling for first place and top UKC points in the shot will be Carl Myerscough (Blackpool Wyre & Fylde) and Kieran Kelly (Newham & Essex Beagles), currently first and third respectively in the UK rankings.  Kelly holds the top spot on the UKC rankings with 772 points from four meetings.

Jumpers include 2008 UKC champion Robbie Grabarz (Bedford & County), who finished fourth in the men’s high jump at the UK Championships and currently sits at the top of the UKC rankings, and Nadia Williams (Shaftesbury Barnett) who is also top of her discipline on the UKC ladder and recently won gold in the women’s triple jump at the UK Championships .

An additional attraction for discus throwers is the  opportunity to experience a unique preparation process with 1996 Olympic and five- time World Champion discus thrower Lars Riedel (Germany), who will host Masterclasses on each day of competition.

The focus on technique and mental training may benefit U23 Birchfield Harrier Brett Morse, currently at the top of the McCain Power of Ten UK rankings with 59.52m, as he takes on recently-crowned UK l champion Emeka Udechuku (Wood ford Green & Essex Ladies) in the discus.

2008 UKC Pole vault champion Emma Lyons (Sale) continues her 2009 campaign. She is top of the pole vault rankings after four meetings with 785 points.

UKC rankings can be found at: http://www.thepowerof10.info/ukchallenge

McCain JumpsFest and ThrowsFest will be reported within the weekend roundup on Monday 27^th July on www.uka.org.uk