England Athletics Combined Events: Bailey Medals

And of course, there was a little bit of history occurring as this was the final championships that features these age groups. The individual age records will remain in place, but next season will be all about establishing brand new championship best performances.

In an open looking competition with three or four capable of mounting a challenge for the gold medal midway through, no real favourite was yet to appear. Perhaps the shot would change that?

Step up, Bailey Smith. Brand new to LWAC, with hopes of @englishschoolsaa qualification. Bailey has been looking to take his shot put, as well, as technical running events like hurdles, to the next level. He already boasts a brilliant 800m time, alongside these.

Bailey (Priory Ruskin, now Lincoln Wellington AC) threw a huge 12.79m which catapulted him from just inside the top 10 to first overall and a 36-point lead from 2nd, who recorded 10.17 in the first round.

Finally, it became a little clearer who would be competing for podium spots after the high jump. First Smith jumped a personal best with 1.56m to keep him in the hunt for a medal in third place but ahead of him Watling moved from second to first place with a PB.

In the 800 metres, the final event, the top three immediately went clear as the race for the medals intensified. Still closely packed together at 400m, passed in a tick over 68 seconds, it was difficult to call as it had been all day.

Stone did open up a couple of metres at the bell, but Watling clearly had something left in the tank, covering that move down the back straight. With just 100 metres to run, he kicked off the final bend to win in 2:16.21 to Stone’s 2:16.59. Smith was close behind in 2:23.73.

Close, as it had been all day!

Result: 1, Watling 2802; 2, Stone 2727; 3, Smith 2622.

Welcome to Welly, Bailey!

@rising.trackstars