02 February 2009

The Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland men’s team placed 2nd in the Combined Events International in Zaragoza, Spain at the weekend. Meanwhile, the GB & NI women’s team placed 5th in a high-quality competition that also featured teams from hosts Spain, France, Netherlands and Czech Republic. 

On an individual basis, England Athletics Champions Kevin Sempers (Trafford AC) enjoyed a fine weekend, finishing third overall and setting new PBs in the 60m hurdles (8.09), pole vault (4.80m) and 1k (2:49.82).

Team-mates Ben Hazell (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC), Richard Reeks (Bournemouth AC) and U23 Francis Baker (Derby AC) all improved their heptathlon personal bests to 5419, 5312 and 5169 respectively. Hazell placed 9th, Reeks finished 11th overall and bettered his 1k time to 2:49.87 and Baker finished 13th position helped along by personal best performances in the long jump (6.98m) and 1k (2:49.81).

In the women’s pentathlon, last year’s runner-up Grace Clements (Dartford Harriers) took 11th place with 3866, followed closely by U23 Lucy Boggis (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) – otherwise known as Tempest in TV’s Gladiators  – in 14th with 3811. Boggis set PBs in the 800m (2:30.35) and long jump (5.65m).

Catherine Holdsworth (Colchester Harriers AC) finished 19th overall with 2791 while GB & NI regular Louise Hazel (Birchfield Harriers), who finished 2008 ranked 5th for the heptathlon in the UK, failed to complete the competition.

Follow this link for the full results