Elena Dolinin sets new Israeli marathon record at first attempt

In her first ever attempt over the distance, Elena Dolinin set a new Israeli record of 2:35:59 to place seventh in Sunday's Berlin Marathon. Her performance was a 37 second improvement on the previous record, set by Nili Abramski in 2004. She ran the second half more than a minute faster than the first half.

Dolinin, 38, had been a middle-distance runner in her youth in Russia, and emigrated to Israel in 1999. However, she had not run for 20 years before taking up the sport again two years ago.

“I increased my speed throughout,” she said, “but I held back a bit because I was scared I would hit the wall. I never thought I would run that fast.”

Extraordinary high jumping by Roger Bruck

(For publication on September 23: Posted to blog late due to poor internet facilities while abroad) 

Roger Bruck, 77, took M75 high jump gold in extraordinary style at the British Masters Championships at Birmingham. His clearance of 1.27m placed him top of the national age-group rankings, added 4 cm to his own M75 Southern Counties record and was 2cm higher than his own M70 record. "I was absolutely elated," Bruck commented, "and heartened by the appreciation shown by everyone present in the high jump area." Bruck added to his medal tally with bronzes in the 200m (a season’s best of 34.64) and long jump (3.14m). He also placed fourth in the 100m in 17.23.

In running the fastest stage time at the Middlesex U13 Young Athletes Road Relays, Gilad Nachshen, 12, helped Shaftesbury Barnet to take the team gold medal. He recorded 10:54 for the 3 km lap. "I was running the second stage and set off rather fast as I had a 47s gap to close,” Nachshen said. “I paid for this on my second lap, but I was helped by the stamina I have gained through the club’s endurance training."

Fine 3000m performances by young athletes!

Lia Radus, 14, maintained her impressive form with three further successes. The Blackheath & Bromley athlete took 1500m victory at the UK Youth Development League National Final in Bedford in 4:45.07. Next she improved her 3000m best to 10:03.68 at the Watford Open Graded Meeting, placing her second in the UK U15 rankings. She then produced the fastest girls’ stage time in the 3x3000m Will Bolton Relays, an inter-club competition organised by Blackheath & Bromley. Running the same stage and following close behind was Radus’ sister Maayan, 12, now returning to her best form.

Shaftesbury Barnet Harrier Bini Bloom, 13, made an impressive 3000m debut, recording 10:15.41 at the Watford Open Graded Meeting.

Gilad Nachshen, 12, provided excellent service to Shaftesbury Barnet at the Eastern Young Athletes League Final in Stevenage, winning the 800m in 2:19.77 and the B event 200m in 27.51.

David Stone, 14, ran the second fastest stage time in the U15 Middlesex & Hertfordshire Young Athletes Road Relays, recording 9:40 for the 3000m leg.

England Athletics U15 Championship success for Lia Radus and Lucie Wolfenden

Lia Radus achieved an impressive fourth place in the England Athletics U15 1500m Championship in Bedford. City of London Girls’ pupil Radus recorded 4:43.56, having set a PB of 4:42.18 the previous day in the heats.

Radus reported, "The preliminary race was comfortable and I spent most of it in a good position just behind the leaders. I was surprised and happy to set a personal best. But in the final I spent most of the race forced out into the second and third lanes. Then I was shoved as I started to make a move to sprint. I am a bit disappointed because I feel that I was in medal contention up to that point. But overall I am pleased with coming away with a PB and a lot of experience gained from both races."

In the same Championships, Sale Harrier Lucie Wolfenden placed 8th in the pole vault with a clearance of 2.71m.

For the second successive week, Maayan Radus, 12, improved her parkrun personal best, recording 20:14 at Bushey Park.

Roger Bruck, 77, took four age group titles in the Southern Counties and Veterans AC Championships at Kingston. His gold medal performances were 17.57 for 100m, 37.09 for 200m, 1.15m in the high jump and 3.06m for the long jump.

“I had hoped for better performances,” Bruck commented, “but both jumping events were interrupted by wind and rain and the sprints were run into the wind”.

Rosalind Zeffert moved into the V50 national shot put rankings with a throw of 6.37m, competing for Shaftesbury Barnet in the London Inter-Club Challenge at Hendon.