More international success

A dIsconsolate looking Phil Brennan at the end of his 1500m race at the World Masters Indoor Athletic Championships in Poland. I mean, you can understand his dejection, in his 5 races, in 7 days, he only got a 4th, 5th and 6th place finish, as well as a bronze and gold medal !! This week we have Phil Brennan and Paul Hawkins' adventures in Poland, competing for Team GB. There's a smashing report from Becks Pridham on the inaugural Tempo Spring Duathlon. There is also information on club member Matt Sims as he prepares for the forthcoming Marathon des Sables. Also, just to remind you, our latest Couch to 5k group will be graduating this Saturday by running in our local parkrun, after their arduous 9 week training programme. I wish them all the very best of luck. Not that they'll need any luck, they're as committed a group of runners that you're ever likely to meet. Enjoy the rest of your week. Best Wishes David Jones. Above : Paul Hawkins competing in the 10000m racewalk final. Below : Phil Brennan on his way to an individual bronze in the 800m final. Watch the last lap on https://twitter.com/paulhawkins66/status/1111552939645124608?s=21 World Masters Indoors Athletic Championships. Report - David Jones. The club had two International Masters Athletes representing Great Britain at the prestigious World Masters Indoors Athletic Championships, held in the Polish city of Toruń. As reported last week, Phil Bennan had started the championships in superlative style by claiming 6th place in the 3000m before going on to lead Great Britain home to a magnificent team gold in the cross country. Just a couple of days after that gold medal performance he was in action again in the 800m final, winning the bronze medal to add to his earlier gold. His time of 3.05.78 was almost 20 seconds quicker than the 4th placed runner. In 2nd place was Phil’s GB team mate Victor Shirley, who just lost out to Albert Walter of Germany in the race for gold. Then it was the 1500m final for the ever active Phil. He started steadily in this his 4th race in just 6 days, before deciding to throw caution to the wind, finally finishing in 5th place with a time of 6.18.75, just 8 seconds off the bronze medal position. The race was won by Team GB athlete Victor Shirley in 6:08. Finally, the selectors asked him to drop down an age group for the 4 x 200m relay. Running the 3rd leg, he helped the team finish in 2nd place in the heats with a time of 2.07.11. Unfortunately the team finished just outside the medals though, in 4th place, missing out on the bronze medal by 2.15 seconds. So all in all, Phil enjoyed a superbly successful championship, with 7th, 5th and 4th place finishes as well as bronze and gold medals. He has the initials PB for a reason. In so doing, he helped Team GB finish in 4th place in…