Saturday saw Tamworth host the first Midland Track and Field League Division 2 meeting of 2023.
The main compliment we had from those attending was what a remarkable job we had done booking the weather. Rain predicted, not a drop!

It is best not to dwell on the final result. The star performer on the day was Tom Ainsworth who won the 400m in 49.59 secs, the 800m in 1:57.32 and managed to overcome a deficit on the last leg of the 400m relay to win that as well. For the ladies Rebecca Hobbs (Ribz) started her track session with a win in the “B” 800m and finished with 3rd place in the 5000m, in between she fitted in the 200m and 400m as well as the Long Jump, Javelin and Discus, still smiling and asking if she was needed for the relays! Luckily Jessica Kilgallen, fresh from Netball was available to fill in for injuries in both relays. Jess’s big sister Niamh leapt 5.13m for 3rd in the Long Jump, 1.60m for 2nd in the High Jump, finished 4th in the shot with 9.06m and anchored the 400m relay team to victory. Another young lady rushing to the track was Isla Crameri who jumped 10.16m in the Triple Jump as well as running 100m and both relays, her split for the 400m relay of 68.6secs was about 15 secs quicker than her mother predicted. Also dashing to the track, this time from playing football was Will Fleming, just in time to finish 2nd in the Long Jump, before winning the “B” 400m in 54.61secs and running in the 100m and both relays, busy day Will. Greg Richards threw the Javelin 42.44m for 3rd place as well as running the 200m and chucking Discus as planned, then volunteering to replace John Jenkins in the 100m and 400m Relay. Poor old John ran the 200m and won the “C” 400m before injuring himself in the sprint relay, which might end his season, lets hope its not as bad as you think John. Other successes on the day were Lottie McLaren who won the 800m as well as taking a leg in the victorious 400m relay, she also ran in the sprint relay and Jolyon Leavesley who won the “B” 800m. Christian Bruss helped officiate the Mens Hammer, before competing in the Long Jump, 200m 100m and both relays, Jacob Daniels threw Hammer, Shot and Javelin, Max Kent came 2nd in the 2k Steeplechase and ran the 1500m along with Richard Franklin in his first ever competition for the Club.

The ladies team was completed by Gemma Harcombe-Moore who won the “B” 5000m, Emma Pulcella who came 3rd in both the 200m and 100m, injured middle distance runner Kat Snowden helping the team by throwing Javelin Shot and Discus and another first timer for Tamworth, young Evie Caffrey who ran the 1500m. Finally Jessica Salt was lying 2nd in the 1500m when she had to pull out injured.

The Club are indebted to Dave Williams, Jonathan Salt, Matt Evans and Derek Bolton for preparing the Stadium for the competition as well as their sterling help on the day, along with Paul Tasker. To Pat Wileman for preparing lunches and manning the tuck shop, to our Timekeeper Hayley McLaren who also helped with the lunches. Our Officials on the day Marksman James Hornby, Derek Bolton, Neil Rudd, Mel Woolley, Gordon Densley, Fiona Meldrum, Chris Bruss as well as “volunteers” from the crowd Stuart Findlater, Ellie McLaren and Sheila Owen and of course our results recorder Jane James.