Allan Long at the age of 74 claimed a gold, two silver and a bronze medal at the recent British Masters Athletics (BMAF) Championship in Birmingham in the M70 category. Stuart Thurgood won gold in the M40 15.88K Weight throw, plus two silvers in the Hammer and Shot. Another multiple medallist from Herne Hill was Guiseppe Minetti, who brought home two silver medals, racing in the M45 100m and 200m events. Another 74 year old, John Garber, placed fourth in the 1500m and sixth in the 800m in the M70 age group and will become M75 in October. Very well done all.
Allan’s own account of his weekend experience is as follows:-
“I enjoyed a good weekend in Birmingham. Couldn’t succeed in the long jump with only a bronze. The strong wind propelled me over the board 4 times out of 6. The 100m silver with a time of 14.18 and a 200m silver with a personal best time of 29.38 but I ended up with a gold in the triple jump 8.55m my second best ever.
That distance was entirely unexpected, a seasons best and in No 1 spot in the rankings. Wish I knew how I did it so I could replicate it. It is not my usual event but I might continue with my beginners yoga class!
Hope you are all fit for a winter campaign. Next week I will resume training for the indoors next year. Up the Hill!”