Thursday 5th August 2024
The 6th running of the highly anticipated Competition was contested by 35 Junior and Senior athletes on a mild calm evening in front of a good crowd of spectators at Ravenscraig stadium.
Round 1 was held over 8 Heats with the top 4 in each all progressing to the semi-finals, with some of the favourites- including Simon Okiti, last year’s defending champion- doing just enough to ease themselves through to the next round.
The 5th placed runners from the heats had a run-off, which proved to be the closest contested race of the evening with Charlotte McKay and Zach Baynes crossing the line together for a dead-heat, followed very closely by Kai Sneddon.
The 4 semi-finals was where the competition really started to heat up with only the top two advancing to the final. Focus and determination was required and as predicted the top 8 seeds all made the final line-up including Elijah Taylor who comfortably saw off the challenge from his dad.
In the final it was no surprise to see Simon Okiti, the back marker and pre-race favourite turn up the power and storm through the field and hitting the front after 70m. Off a handicap of just 1 metre he covered the distance in an impressive 10.8seconds. Ben Mullan the only other athlete to break 12 seconds (off 5metres) was well clear in 2nd Place. The final podium spot was a much closer affair with Elijah Taylor, Summer Taggart, Abbie Learie and David Williamson all vying for the coveted 3rd spot. As they all strained for the line, it was Elijah’s dip that gave him the edge as all 4 crossed the finish with just one metre separating them. Gabbie Simpson who has been improving all season held off Daniel Sharpe, who had been impressive through the heats – to take 7th place.
On a highly successful night there was also a record made as Simon became the first athlete to retain the trophy.
Thanks to all the volunteers on the night, it was great organisation and teamwork to get through the 14 races in under an hour.