Big British indoor championships at Sheffield EIS

The British Indoor Championships will see contenders try and achieve some very tough qualifying standards.

Luke Cutts (City of Sheffield and Dearne) defends his pole vault title. He is in form, having cleared 5.70 on two occasions recently but needs 5.77 to be sure of selection. His best is 5.83 set two years ago. His training partner Adam Hague, the British junior champion, will compete too.

Lee Emanuel (City of Sheffield) already has the 1500m standard, set at 3:39, and is looking for a win to seal his selection. He has a good record in this event, winning two years ago, then switching to 3000m last year, winning the British title before going on to take the silver medal at European level.

Andy Heyes (Hallamshire) is listed for the 3000m, the event the won at the British Universities indoor championships recently.

South Yorkshire athletes will be in action in the National Cross Country Championships at Castle Donington. Hallamshire Harriers seek a top placing. Rotherham, led by Sam Johnson, were third last year and should again do well. The Hallamshire men’s team will also be looking for a good performance after winning bronze in the Northern. On that occasion Steve Bayton was their top runner with Bertie Houghton, Rob Little, Dave Archer, Andy Challenger and Pete Hodges all playing a big part.

They should be capable of beating last year’s position of 12th.

On that occasion Hallamshire were boosted by Andy Heyes who finished second. This time, however, Heyes is more likely to run in the 3000 metres at the British indoor Championships in Sheffield.

Others who look capable of challenging for individual medals include Jonathan Shields (City of Sheffield) in the under 20 age group, Cameron Bell (Hallamshire) and Alice Moore (Barnsley AC) at under 17 level whilst Scott Nutter (Barnsley AC) and Jodie Hill (Hallamshire) should be prominent in the youngest age group, under 13.

At under 13 girls level, Northern champions Hallamshire look capable of challenging for team medals.