Another 60 metre plus throw for Ben Clarke

Bury’s teenage javelin sensation Ben Clarke travelled down to Loughborough at the weekend to compete in the UK Winter Throws competition hosted at the Paula Radcliffe Stadium. The sixteen year old from Greenmount was pitted against the best young throwers in the country in an under 18 development event intended to identify potential competitors for this summer’s European Championships for Under 18s. Ben’s first throw of 58.19 saw him in second position behind Reading’s Ned Scott who opened with 63.71. Ben’s second throw soared out to 60.44, no mean achievement in the very windy conditions. He had a no throw in the third round and then achieved a fourth round throw of 57.95 before retiring from the competition. Henry Jones of Winchester launched a 64.72 PB in the final round to take the win from Scott with Ben in third. He was delighted to receive his bronze medal from Olympian Steve Backley. Ben will now take a rest from competition as he prepares for the summer season under the watchful eye of coach John Conroy.

Ben receiving his medal from Steve Backley

Nine club members competed at the Trafford 10k on Sunday morning with many being rewarded with fast times in the high quality race. First home was Martin Clark who scorched around the course in a PB of 30.30 to place 26^th. Next was James Brown in 110^th in a very nippy 32.20. Alia Braithwaite was 37^th woman with 37.46. Everyone else dipped under the 40 minute mark with the remaining finishers being Jack Passey 35.07, Daniel Chapman 35.41, Ryan Cunliffe 36.35, Paul Marshall 38.34, Curtis Simpson 38.34 and Ed Hunt 39.10.

In an otherwise quiet week for competitions it was once again the local Parkruns that were the focus for members choosing to test themselves on a Saturday morning. At Heaton Park it was Paul Johnston who first Bury AC member to finish, taking 6^th place in 18.18. Sinead Taylor was first woman, with 18.34, with Sarah Flett 2^nd with 20.34. Rob Butterworth placed 22^nd with 19.36 and there was a PB of 20.53 for Colin Smith. At Chadderton Hall Lucy Dent was first woman with 22.29. Sinead Burns set a new PB of 20.16 in placing 8^th at Alexandra Park and Alexander Hannay ran a nippy 18.55 to place 10^th at Worsley Woods.