Belgrave Harriers bag eight track and field county golds

Belgrave Harriers flexed their strength across the distances and in the field at this year’s track and field county championships, winning gold medals in Surrey, Middlesex and Hampshire.

Home comforts

County track and field championships took place across the country on May 13 and May 14. Surrey - the club’s home turf - was a happy hunting ground for Belgrave, providing four golds, three silvers and six bronzes across track and field.

On the opening Saturday, Sam Ige set the standard with gold in the 200m, winning his heat before securing the top step of the podium in 22.11. 

The legend of Sam Ige continues

Sam’s Saturday feats were matched by Mikael Lurot in the long jump, who secured gold with a result of 6.35m. Jodie Albrow added to Belgrave’s gold tally in the sandpit, winning with 4.94m, while Jess Lee took bronze in the same event. Joanne Peak, meanwhile, came third in the 400m event.

Mikael Lurot takes gold

Jodie Albrow claims the top step

Sunday brought more treasure for Belgrave. Ige added a bronze in the 100m to his haul, finishing the final in 10.75 after winning his heat.

The day demonstrated our athletes’ abilities to dig deep and edge out their opponents. Steph Hewitt stormed to gold in the 3,000m, finishing a second ahead of teammate Sophie Cowper in a fantastic 1-2 for the club.

Steph Hewitt (1) and Sophie Cowper (2)

Henry Hart kicked to win the 5,000m, finishing just two tenths ahead of Holland Sports’ Jack Kavanagh. Steve Gardner took third, while ‘Big’ Rob Kelly snuck under 16 minutes to finish fifth.

Hart edges out Kavanagh

Hart and Gardner are all smiles after hard-fought medals

Belgrave also shone in Sunday’s middle distance events. Hewitt took second in the 1,500m, with Hart finishing third in the men’s event. Cowper secured bronze in the 800m. Grace Johnson, meanwhile, took silver in the high jump with a best finish of 1.45m.

Away goals

If the good people of Hampshire weren’t familiar with Belgrave, those who went to their county championships are now. Anna Sharp took gold in the 1,500m, while Ben Ringrose-Voase won the 800m.

Middlesex, meanwhile, marked the arrival of an outstanding young talent in Eddie Jodrell, the under-20 athlete winning senior men’s 5,000m in 16:06.

Remember the name: Eddie Jodrell

Meanwhile, Kareem Selman-Jackson and Daniel Woodburn took second and third places respectively in the 400m.

This article is subject to update as further counties confirm their results.

Alex Janiaud