There was a Gold Rush on at the County Championships.

The Essex County Championships provided us with  two glorious days of athletics with the sun shining throughout and the stars shone as well, no I am not hallucinating for here I refer to the competitors.

Chelmsford provided their share towards this coming away with a total of no fewer than 38 gold medallists. Add to this 24 silvers and 18 bronze amounts to a grand haul. Six members completed a double, Kevin Wilson, Maegan Hopkins, Sam Wright, Amelia Scott , Ava King and Matilda Hewitt who in the shot putt set a new championship record.

There may be some disappointed that they are not listed below  for these are all finalists  although it was noted that personal bests were recorded in heats but which not take them further, well done to those but a line had to be made.   

Gallery for day 1 here

Gallery for day 2 here 

Report written and compiled by Roy Meadowcroft.

Our 2025 EYAL Campaign Gets of to a Flying Start.

When the EYAL fixtures came out it looked that our opening meeting would test our record of achieving 800 plus points with the lengthy journey to Norwich who are obviously very strong on their home soil.

That the home club should come up with a score of 811 points is testament of this - but with excellent team work throughout the age groups, boys and girls, we eclipsed that with 844 thus continuing our winning ways over the past two seasons. Othe club scores  Stevenage 569,  Cobra ( a combined Colchester/Braintree) 552, Bedford 501, West Suffolk 255 and Bedford Lions 153. Personnel bests were gained right through the range of events. William Bruns and Raphael Fapchunda from the under 13 boys both achieved this in both sprint races as did James Pollard (800) and Dylan Law in the 1500 metres.. Over the hurdles Toby Stothard and Hugo Randal took maximum points. Whilst winning ways continued on the track with the under 13 girls - Felicity Charles (100), Leila Robinson (800) with Bella Kehoe (1500) the throws were bringing many points with pb`s all the way from Una Purcell, Sofia Lawrence and Kylie Kayendo covering the shot, discus and javelin.

To the under 15 girls and it was a busy day for Shindra Ayo-Ademo with the 300 metres, hurdles and the high jump. Again the throws were producing a good addition to the points tally via Olivia Mullineaux, Saya Saunders and Maddie Moss. On the track maximum points from Abigail McElroy and Abigail Nwakur over the 100 metres with Isabella Eida winning the 1500 metres. With the boys Khaya Fakazi and George Dixon doubled up over 300 and 800 metres with great success. Bevan Dove came away with three pb`s via the shot, discus and hammer whilst Edward Delaney in the high jump recorded a pb.

At under 17 level Harry Lee continues coming up with pb`s here over 100m and the hurdles. Oscar Dove had a rare double of high jump and hammer. Over 800 metres there were wins for Ben Smith and Joe Delaney whilst at 1500m Thomas Carter and Max Chivers dropped only one point. Tommy Hewitt in the discus and javelin was another bettering his previous bests.

Finally to the under 17 girls and no surprise to find Matilda Hewitt, Monica Malagala and Maddison Poulter dominating the throws,  for Amelia Scott there was a double from the long and triple jumps, Georgia Clark and Alicja Yalaju took the high jump points. On the track and here Lily Hartman with Nicole Hawkins each won over 300 metres with Amelie Shipton taking the 1500 metre event. Over the hurdles and here yet again Amelie Scott was number one with Milana Thorpe taking the `B` string event

It is worth noting that in our next fixture at Watford we come up against Shaftesbury and Havering each winners in that first series of meetings,  should make an interesting encounter.

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft

A Small but Perfectly Formed Representation at the County Road Relay Championships.

Well the winter season came to its end with the Essex road relays taking place at Colchester, what was traditionally a March event now moved to April, and no doubt caused the low turnout in events for the girls and boys due to the EYAL league fixtures the following day.

Never the less our under 13 boys found success for after an opening lap by Jake Boarer which proved to be fastest of the day by an Essex athlete Charlie Jackson and Seb Cook duly brought them home in first place. The under 17`s race found Jacob Hurrell leading the race on lap one, again best of the day, but alas that was in vain with no further Chelmsford athletes to continue. Forward to the senior women and here silver medals came to the team via Rachel Broome, Rebecca Luxton and Hannah Bolton = another achieving best time of the event. For good measure the `B' team of Lucy Nuttall, Sophie McCall and Anna Nuttall placed seventh of the fifty teams completing the race

See the full gallery here

Report Written by Roy Meadowcroft