STRATFORD Athletic Club aces enjoyed a very successful time at the British Masters Championships in which they secured four gold and four silver medals.
David Jones rounded off a rewarding indoor season when he was crowned 1,500m British champion in his age category. In his fifth indoor event in a seven-week period, he ran a tactical race, only taking the lead coming off the final bend to win in a time of 5:50.49.
This victory helped somewhat to mask his disappointment at the cancellation of the European Masters Indoor Championship in Portugal next week, when he was due to make his international debut for Great Britain.
Paula Williams also continued her excellent run of form, starting with silver medals in quick succession in the 60m hurdles, shot and 60m on the Saturday, with a season’s-best time of 8.44 in the 60m sprint.
Then on the Sunday she dominated both the triple jump and javelin for her age group, winning both with strong performances, despite having had very limited opportunities to train at either over the winter.
Peter Coote was similarly unprepared for his javelin and discus events, having spent the last six weeks travelling in South America.
Despite pouring rain and a howling crosswind, he managed to take gold in the javelin for his age group with a club record throw.
In the discus he was less successful and finished well down against a strong field but with another club record throw.
Having abandoned track and speed training this winter to concentrate on endurance for road races in spring, which will now not go ahead, Phil Brennan took silver in his age group 1,500m by way of a consolation prize.
