26 August 2007

In addition to the heptathlon (see here) Day 2 saw plenty of other Norwich Union Great Britain & Northern Ireland athletes in action.

Men’s 100m

Marlon Devonish (Coventry Godiva) became the first British man in four years to reach a global 100m final running 10.12 in the semi to secure his spot before running 10.14 in the final and taking 6th place.

Devonish said: “I’m having the season of my life, I shouldn’t be disappointed. I’ve ran 10.1 consistently in all the rounds. To have run sub-10 would have been a beautiful thing.

“I didn’t drive out of the blocks as well as I know I can and you can’t do that in the final. I’ve had a good season, it sets me up really great for next year. I know exactly what I am doing now, with the grace of god I can run quicker. Sixth in the world, it’s not bad is it?

“It’s a final. I can’t complain. Of course I would have liked to have medalled, love to have ran quicker. But the season’s not quite finished and I’m going to try a run a little bit quicker.”

Craig Pickering (Marshall Milton Keynes) and Mark Lewis Francis (Birchfield Harriers) were eliminated in the semi-finals in 10.29 and 10.19 respectively. Lewis Francis’ time was just one-hundredth adrift of the fourth automatic qualification place.

Women’s 800m semi-finals

Jemma Simpson (Newquay & Par), Marilyn Okoro (Shaftesbury Barnet) and Jennifer Meadows (Wigan & District) were eliminated from the women’s 800m semi-finals.  Meadows  and Okoro did however, have the satisfaction of running new lifetime bests.

Meadows came fifth in heat 3, clocking a personal best 1:59.39 – the eighth fastest by a Brit of all time.

Okoro came forth in the heat 2, with a PB of 1:59.63 whilst Simpson came sixth in the heat 1 in 2:00.48.

Women’s 100m quarter-finals

Laura Turner (Harrow AC) progressed to tomorrow’s women’s 100m semi final with a qualifying time of 11.32. Montell Douglas (Blackheath & Bromley) and Jeanette Kwakye (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies), though were unable to progress from the quarters with each coming sixth in their respective heats.

Women’s Pole Vault

In the Pole Vault, Kate Dennison (Sale Harriers Manchester) missed out on qualifying for the final by just one spot, beaten to the 12th place by the Swede Hanna-Mia Perrsson who cleared 4.20 on her first jump, with Dennison matching that jump on her second attempt.

For other Championship news, plus results, timetables and photographs click here.