Nathan Wake returned to the track for the first time since June at the UK School Games in Bath this weekend.  These games are a multi-sport event with athletics, judo, swimming, volleyball, fencing, table tennis, hockey, gymnastics and other sports specifically designed to recreate and prepare the competitors for the kind of atmosphere that athletes might expect if they progress to senior international level.

Nathan, who had suffered a series of injuries this season, ran for the East of England at these, the last major championships of the summer.  Defending his title that was won in Coventry last year he made a solid start in the heats – easing to second place and automatic qualification - in a season’s best time of 48.29s which places him second in the national rankings.

In the final the following day, taking on the best 400m runners in the UK, Nathan maintained his good form to finish a narrow second to eventual winner Curtis Woods of Northern Ireland.  This was a pleasing and remarkable return to form considering that he has missed a huge amount of training this season and has had no preparatory races leading up to the Championships.  

Also competing for the East of England team were Hannah Lloyd, who once again made the final of a major competition and whilst shaking off the effects of a stomach upset, ran close to her personal best in the 300mHurdles heats in 45.54s.  The following day, in a heavy mist making running very difficult, she finished in 8th place in a time of 46.03s in a super fast race.  She can look back on her debut season in the event with a great deal of satisfaction having made the final of all three major championships and with another year in the age group to come.

Richard Humphries, in the hammer, took part in a high quality competition and made the final eight after the first three rounds, thus taking a further three throws.  With his fourth throw he made it out to 47.89m consolidating his position and finishing in 8th position overall.  

Ross Armorgie, in his first season at the 400mHurdles finished 3rd in his heat in a personal best time of 59.30s but this was not quite fast enough to make the final – leaving him 9th quickest overall.  Ross was pleased with his run however and is looking forward to making improvements next year.

Both Hannah Lloyd and Deborah Willis represented the region in the 4 x 300m relay but despite excellent legs on their part were unable to get the team into the final the following day.

Gaining selection for these championships is an achievement in itself as the criteria are tough and to be sure of automatic selection the athletes must be the number one in their event in the Eastern region at the English Schools Championships in July and the club is proud to have had 5 representatives at this prestigious competition.  Most of these athletes and others from Herts Phoenix, will be representing the County at the Eastern inter-county match at Stevenage next Sunday.

John Humphries