Archer's Aim Is True
Athletics Weekly|September 26, 2019
CAMBRIDGE & COLERIDGE WOMEN AND ALDERSHOT MEN LAND SOUTH OF ENGLAND RELAY VICTORIES AT CRYSTAL PALACE
Steve Smythe
Archer's Aim Is True

ALDERSHOT’S men and Cambridge and Coleridge’s women took the honours at Crystal Palace with the latter’s Holly Archer producing the individual performance of the day.

The organisation, which while better than past years with improvements in results (though some were still sketchy as we went to press), marshalling and good quality officiating, could still see improvement in the course.

This year, the finish was better with an entrance to the track at a different gate, making it much safer for runners albeit cutting 200 metres plus off the course.

However, most of the races still did a hazardous, twisty and tough detour around a car park when there are better alternatives on the old motor circuit and in the rest of the Park.

The finish change meant it was the third different course in the third year the Palace has been used and most would prefer a fourth. A further change could result in a one-lap course as lapping and different races running at the same time and poor stadium acoustics made it difficult for runners and spectators to know what was going on.

With the difficulty which is faced by a number of competitors in travelling to this part of South London for the event, many would prefer a return to a two-day affair at Aldershot which was used unchanged from 1988 to 2015, making lap time comparisons meaningful.

Men

For Aldershot’s men it was their seventh win in the last decade as they retained the six-stage title in 1:41:11 by 40 seconds from Serpentine whose second place equalled their best ever result while Bedford took bronze a further 10 seconds back.

Shaftesbury, through Henry McLuckie (17:11), went ahead on leg two, though Jonathan EscalantePhilips of Cambridge was the big mover, advancing from 16th to second with a 16:26.

Aldershot were only sixth after two legs but Gus Cockle’s 16:47 took them ahead at the halfway stage.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ATHLETICS WEEKLYView all
Carbon Footprint
Athletics Weekly

Carbon Footprint

You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Athletics Weekly

Trail time

WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Stay neutral
Athletics Weekly

Stay neutral

EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.

time-read
5 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Support network
Athletics Weekly

Support network

WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Need for speed
Athletics Weekly

Need for speed

THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 26, 2020
Athletics Weekly

Gadget show

WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 26, 2020
What's in a shoe?
Athletics Weekly

What's in a shoe?

We bust some of the jargon around footwear

time-read
1 min  |
March 26, 2020
How To Prime Your Immunity
Athletics Weekly

How To Prime Your Immunity

Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee

time-read
6 mins  |
March 26, 2020
English Schools Survival At Stake
Athletics Weekly

English Schools Survival At Stake

Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer

time-read
2 mins  |
March 19, 2020
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Athletics Weekly

Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out

Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19

time-read
3 mins  |
March 19, 2020