Sensational silvers for Keeley Little and a Forest Flyer

Torbay Athletic club sprint sensation Keeley Little spent the weekend competing in the England Athletics National age group championships in Birmingham at the international Alexander stadium.

On Saturday, the 15 year-old Torquay Academy student competed in the under 17 100m, progressing through the heat 2nd, 12.07 sec PB, semi 2nd, 12.06 sec PB, and running the race of her life to place 2nd in the final with a fabulous sub 12 clocking, and new Personal Best time of 11.95 sec.

The following day Keeley contested the 200m, regarded as her stronger event, she was in equally dominant form, progressing through the heat 1st, 24.68 sec, semi 1st, 24.58 sec, before running another sensational final. Running the best bend of her life to place 2nd for her second silver medal in a new personsl best time of 24.18 sec, good enough to rank her number two in the UK for the under 17 200m.

Four Torbay AAC runners headed to the beautiful setting of Haldon Forest for The Forest Flyer. Surprisingly, it was a sunny summer’s evening and as the field of 140 snaked through the shady forest trails, the pale sunshine dappled the soft woodland trails.

The course starts at the top near the car park and winds around some wide paths before descending on some trails familiar to parkrunners, there was a steep uphill section before a long winding descent taking in some varied technical trails. Before long, it was the sting in the tail, the long, infamous climb that leads you to the welcome sight of the finish line

This was the first year with Haldon Trail runners hosting the event and they didn’t disappoint with a well organised race and friendly encouraging marshals.

Results: 21 Mark Atkinson 35:43, 59 Debbie Webber 43:14, 79 Sara Jane Crozier 46:37, 107 Ian Sharrock 50:56.