Greenock Glenpark Harriers’ Simon Okiti became the fastest Harrier in history last weekend whilst representing Glasgow University at the British University Track & Field Championships.
Simon contested the 100m and 200m at the Manchester Athletics Arena in the busiest track and field meeting of the year.
In his heat Simon exploded from the blocks and was soon into his running, occupying the top places which would see him progress to the semi-finals. Stopping the clock in a new best of sub-11 seconds and in a qualifying position to progress to the semi-final, he was delighted to enter into the 10 second bracket only for the wind gauge to record his time as illegal. Undaunted by this, Simon took to the line in the semi-final, knowing nothing less than a lifetime best would suffice against the fastest students in the UK. A more deliberate start found him slightly down on the opposition, however passing halfway he moved into overdrive, finishing fourth. Although just outside an automatic slot for the final, Simon was delighted when rewarded with a legal 10.9 seconds; a new lifetime best and the title of Fastest Harrier Ever over the home straight sprint.
The following day Simon was on the track again. This time in the 200m and a favoured outside lane draw allowed his long levers to get into his stride early. A new-found confidence on the home straight carried him home in his second lifetime best of the weekend. Clocking a 21 second run, he qualified for the semi-final with his place in club history assured. Despite an inside lane for the semi-final, a solid run in the latter part of the race had Simon finishing strongly and just missing a spot in the final by a fraction of a second.
Elsewhere closer to home Harris Morrison carried the Harrier banner at Grangemouth for the Scottish National Athletic League, where dropping down in distance to the 200m Harris was experimenting with a new race plan over a shorter sprint distance. Keeping to his plan from the blocks he entered the home straight in the top places where he held his form clocking a time which matched his seasons best. He will now move forward to his next event to consolidate his new race plan.
With Glenpark members participating in four seperate events over the weekend from Germany to the UK, from 100m to Marathon the coaching team are now in a position to offer additional spaces to all age groups and standards. For those seeking motivation and company check the Greenock Glenpark Harriers website.
