Belgrave reach NAL promotion shootout with third round victory

Belgrave Harriers are one step away from returning to the National Athletics League Premiership, following victory in the third round of the NAL Championship season.

Belgrave secured a return to the top flight last season, before a restructure of the league pyramid moved the club back into the second tier. We now go to Bedford on August 3 where we’ll face the top two clubs from the second division of every region in the country. The top two sides at this meeting will be promoted to the Premiership next year.

There were standout individual and team performances at a rain-hit meeting at Kingston on July 7, which was briefly suspended owing to the weather. Chinedu Festus Okereke won the long jump competition, while Felicity Harrison and Emma Gordon secured a one-two in the 5000m. A team comprising Miriam Glassner, Amy Mat, Simonetta Ifeji and Tayla Benson won the 4x100m relay, while we won gold and silver in the mixed 4x400m.

Belgrave dominated the relay competitions.

Out in the field, Mia Callenberg was outstanding in the hammer and the shot after recently giving birth, securing silver and bronze medals. Young talents Erin McBriar and Neva Jansen secured silver and bronze in the women’s discus respectively, while Ram Choudury came second in the men’s discus. Simonetta Ijefi came second in the triple jump, with Mia Callenberg finishing fourth. Olivia Harry and Imogen Mulliner came second and third in the pole vault respectively.

The track also brought a treasure trove of podium finishes for the club. There were silver medals for Holly Aldridge in the 400m hurdles and Miriam Glassner in the 100m. Billy Matthews came second in the 400m and Peter Wild won bronze in the 110m hurdles. James Hancock and Sam Sommerville finished second and third respectively in the men’s 1500m, with Karen Xiang and Emily Goff coming home third and fourth over the women’s 1500m. Sian Harry and Tayla Benson nailed a one-two in the women’s 200m while Daniel Woodburn won silver in the men’s 200m.

We are going to need all hands on deck in Bedford next month. Please make yourself available to co-managers Orna McGinley and Mike Burslem and play your part in returning Belgrave to the Premiership.

You can access the full results here.