Hawkins enjoys dream debut at British Championships

STRATFORD AC athletes once again achieved some strong performances at the British Masters’ Championships at Alexander Stadium last weekend.

Paul Hawkins, in his first British Championships, walked away with two personal best performances and two silver medals in the 3,000m and 5,000m walks.

Having converted from running to race walking a few years ago, Hawkins has already established himself as one of the best walkers in his age group.

Using the weekend to warm up for the European Masters’ Championships in Denmark next month, Paula Williams and Phil Brennan both had a successful weekend.

Williams led the way with three gold medals in the 80m hurdles, the shot, and triple jump, followed by a bronze medal in the 100m.

Brennan picked up two silver medals in the 800 and 1500m, and then in the 5,000m finished just outside of the medals in a season’s best time.

Roger Wilson benefitted from being one of the ‘youngsters’ in his age group to record a comfortable win in M75 5,000m.

David Jones had a hard-fought race to finish outside of the medals in his 5,000m, and Peter Coote made a welcome return from his recent injury with solid performances in the javelin and discus.

Meanwhile, in the British Masters’ 5k Championships in Horwich, Lancashire, saw both Wilson and Brennan take part.

Conditions beforehand on the hilly two-lap course were mild by race time, however, the temperature had soared to a cloudless 32C.

Despite the harsh conditions, M70 Brennan managed a creditable seventh place in 23.13, while M75 Wilson claimed gold for his own with a storming 22.41.