Birmingham became the centre of British Track and Field once again over the weekend as the National Championships returned to Alexander Stadium for the first time since 2019.
Zharnel Hughes stole the majority of the headlines over the weekend as Britain’s fastest ever man pulled away from the rest of the field to take the men’s 100m (9.94s) title on Saturday ahead of Jeremiah Azu (9.97) and Louis Hinchcliffe (10.01) before returning on Sunday to storm his way to a Championship record of 19.90 in the 200m.
Hughes said following his 100m title retention “I really knew I could win today and I got a sub-10, which is really important for me. I really wanted to be here and get a run in and feel my legs in the rounds. It could have been faster but I can build on this. It is nice to hear your name being called out from the stands.”
In the Women’s 100m Amy Hunt took the title in 11.02s following the disqualification of Daryl Neita for a false start, Neita had already set the qualifying time earlier in the day with a 11.00 clocking.
In the women’s 200m on Sunday both Hunt and Neita breezed into the final alongside 2019 World Champion Dina Asher-Smith. The trio all won their individual and would deliver the race of the day in the final.
Following a strong start from Neta and Asher Smith, Hunt began to move from the rest of the field in the closing 80m. With Neita dropping off Hunt stayed on Asher Smith’s Shoulder with the pair crossing the line tantalisingly close. Following a photo finish review the title was given to Asher-Smith in another Championship Record time of 22.14.
In the 800m Max Burgin (1:43.92) took the men’s 800m race with ease ahead of Tiarnan Crorken 1:45.56 and Alex Botterill 1:45.57. Georgia Hunter Bell took the women’s title adding to the rumours that the 1500m Olympic medalist may look to compete in the double in Tokyo.
The women’s 1500m came down to the wire as a group of six came round the final bend for a sprint race to the line. Revee Walcott Nolan, Erin Wallace and Laura Muir lead the sprint
out but it was Scot Sarah Calvert who made a late charge on the outside to secure the title with Walcott Nolan in second and Muir in third.
The men’s race was as dramatic, following physical heats on the Saturday the sunday final saw Neil Gourley and Elliot Giles collide in the final 100m before Gourley pulled away (3:47.06). Both men had already qualified for Tokyo.
The 5000m…
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