6th August 2008

After a long hard summer on the athletics circuit the McCain UK Challenge & BMC Nike Grand Prix Final hopefuls are just one event away from their decided fate and a prize fund of £40,000. The support of McCain, UK Athletics’ new Premier partner means that athletes can now look forward to a share of the highest ever fund for the domestic series that was launched in 2004.

The final event of the competition series takes place at Thames Valley Athletics Centre, Eton on 9 August and will provide a prelude to the athletics action in Beijing.

Six athletes will be chasing a share of the £5,000 Golden Challenge, needing victory in the Final to secure their prize money. Carl Myerscough (Blackpool & Fylde) sits in pole position with 907 points at the top of the rankings. But in contention will be Helen Pryer (Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow), Vicky Griffiths (Liverpool Harriers), Michael Allen (Trafford AC), Steve Green (Newham & Essex) and Luke Cutts (Dearnside High AC).

A host of high class athletes are on show on finals day, none more apparent than in the men’s high jump competition, where both Robbie Grabarz (Bedford and County) and Samson Oni (Belgrave Harriers) will be looking to take the top spot, in a feild that boasts the depth of talent in the event. Stephanie Pywell (Sale Harriers Manchester) features in the women’s event.

Last year’s Challenge Final winner, Emeka Udechuku (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) will be looking to demonstrate his prowess once again, in the Discus.

Paul Walker (Sale Harriers Manchester) will be looking to push Luke Cutts close for the men’s pole vault title, with club team mate Emma Lyons leading the field for in the women’s event. 

Both Julian Golley (Windsor, Slough, Eton and Houndslow) and Tosin Oke (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) have impressed on route to the UK Challenge Final, and will contest in the Triple Jump, with Nadia Williams (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) competing in the women’s event.

Birchfield Harriers Tom Parsons and Zoe Derham, plus Philippa Roles (Swansea Harriers) were in contention for the Golden Challenge, but now make their final preparations for the Olympic Games at the holding camp in Macau.

Also up for grabs at the final event are prize monies ranging from £50-£400 available to athletes finishing top five in the 34 finals, Power of ten bonuses will be given to athletes who win their event and achieve a newly improved or first time P10 National mark at the Final, the reward for this outstanding achievement will be prize money to match the number of points they achieved from their `Fantastic Four` during the course of McCain UK Challenge.

For full competition details, rankings and prize structures visit:

UK Challenge

http://www.ukathletics.net/competitions/uk-challenge/