England Athletics national Track and Field Championships

Day 1 of the National Championships hosted the 800m and 1500m heats, along with the 3000m straight final, restricting all middle distance runners to a single event. Robbie chose the 3000m as his preferred event along with a very strong line up including 6 of this seasons fastest 10 3000m runners. We expected a hard and fast race, and we weren’t disappointed.

Robbie ultimately finished 5th, running a very good tactical race, but by letting the leading group pull a little too far forward he left himself too much to do to get one of those medal places.

Before today only 1 U15 runner in the whole of the UK had run a sub 9’20” 3000m, that runner was Matt Willis, who won today’s race in 9’08”.48. The top 6 runners completing the race in sub 9’20”, with Robbie finishing 5th in 9’18”.24, knocking 11 seconds off his PB. It was quick and all of the top 6 runners, minus Matt Willis got PB’s, and as of now the UK rankings for the top 6 runners exactly match the finishing line up for this race.

3000m National Championships - Field Merging after the first bend

3000m National Championships – Field Merging after the first bend