Certainly, track and field has a season of 12 months thanks to indoor meetings having seen the South of England staging championships in December and now following with further championships for the under13, 15- and 17-year age groups. The proof of their popularity can be gauged that many events drew entrants requiring some ten heats. Ploughing through this one finds that Chelmsford was well represented with many having that ‘PB’ shown against their performance. Regrettably I cannot include all these in a report although it shows promise for the future - instead concentrate on those going to semi-finals.

The stage was set from the opening event on day one when Bella Kehoe won her heat of the 800 metres for under 13`s in 2m29.95s With Sadie Davis second in the next heat with 2m 31.98s. It was a long wait for the final entailing a return the following day when Bella was to finish in the silver medal position with 2m29.04s with Sadie fifth in 2m 32.29s. Again over 800 metres and in the under 15`s sister Isla Kehoe took second place in her heat with 2m 21.94s then followed with a pb in the final of 2m 19.63s again taking silver. Over the 60m hurdles Chloe Allam was in great form winning her heat in 9.12s, then again at the head of the semi-final in 9.23s before setting a pb in the final of 9.09s for well deserved gold medal. Shindra Ayo-Adeyemo also reached this final placing 6th but setting a pb on route with a clocking of 9.51s. At under 17 level three girls went through the heats of the hurdles Abigail McElroy 7.99s, Alicija Yalaju a pb of 8.11s and Abigail Nwaker 8.16s but failed to go beyond the semi-final stage.

The field events were to produce two wins for CAC athletes in the shot putt. Monica Malagala to record a comfortable victory in the under 17`s shot putt - with Alicija Yalaju sixth with 9.88m. At under 15-year level Shindra Ayo Adeyemo came up with a second pb to go alongside her hurdles time. Here in the shot 11.42m saw well in control as she took the gold position, Timmy Osei was also setting a pb with 9.02m and finishing just outside the medals with 9.02m. Back on the track and to the 200 metres. Niamh Taiwo in the under 15`s set a pb in her heat then improved further to 27.23s placing 4th in the semi-final. Going to the under 17`s and three girls were to qualify via the heats, all placing second, Jasmin Lunn, Lily Hartman and Ruby Collier. In the semi-final Jasmin placed first with Lily second in her race. To the final and Jasmin came out with a pb of 25.92s for third place with Lily fourth timed at 26.16s. Stepping up to 400m and Stephanie Smith after winning her heat clocked 60.08s in the final to place 4^th.

Back to the field, now turning to the jumps. Abigail McElroy came up with a pb of 11.02m for second place - an agonizing just two centimetres shy of the top spot.  Was to be silver also for Chelsea Clarke in the under 17 high jump clearing 1.60m

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft