Athletics: Busy time for Sheffield athletes with both domestic and international challenges

City of Sheffield athletes Lee Thompson and Ella Blakey both competed in the 200m for England at the Indoor Reykjavik International Games in Iceland.

Lee was 2nd in 21.27secs, his 2nd best time ever, whilst Ella was 3rd in her race in a time of 24.91s. They then combined to lead the England team to victory in the 4 x 200m Mixed Relay.

There were fine performances at the final Indoor Run Jump Throw Open meeting at the EIS Arena last Saturday.

Alfie Manthorpe of City of Sheffield posted a lifetime best of 3mins 49.38secs placing 2nd in the Invitation 1500metres and there were some fast sprint performances from International athletes Jack Lawrence (Birchfield) 6.69secs in the 60metres, Ben Snaith (Newham) 21.27secs and Niclas Baker 21.48secs 1st and 2nd in the 200metres all ranking highly in the current UK Performance lists.

The second of the weekend meetings at EIS Arena was last Sunday and featured the Northern U15 and U13 Championships.

Among the winners were City of Sheffield's Harry Beard with 13.46metres in the U15 Boys Shot Putt, with teammate Oskar Woods 2nd in 11.63metres, Grace James in the U15 Girls Pole Vault with 2.55metres and Charles Reilly in the U13 Boys 200m with 27.67secs.

Hallamshire Harrier's Jorja Turner won the U15 Girls Long Jump with 5.10meteres and Thomas Thack the U15 Boys 800metres in 2mins 04.49secs.

There is an equally busy time this coming weekend February 11 and 12 at EIS with the England Athletics U20/U17/U15 Indoor Championships featuring many up and coming young Sheffield athletes.

The action starts at 10.00am on both Saturday and Sunday.