Thursday, 12 April 2018

David Stone caps an outstanding season


David Stone capped an outstanding season by earning team silver in the World Schools Cross Country Championships in Paris. Competing against athletes two years his senior, Stone was the only Year 11 member of the six-strong England team. Stone finished in 31st place, completing the 5.5 km course in 17:08, an average speed of 19.2 km per hour. With 105 runners representing 18 countries contesting the race, team gold was won by Morocco.

Running in warm temperatures over a flat and dry course, Stone faced very different conditions from those of his domestic races this year. "The race started fast and I did not feel too good, although I moved up a few places later on. I really think I am better suited to the mud and the hills," Stone commented. His mastery of those conditions saw him win the England Under 17 title in his first year in the age group, as well as winning the Schools Home Nations International last month.

Gilad Nachshen and Maayan Radus began their track seasons by setting personal bests that placed them top of the national U15 rankings. Nachshen recorded 2:03.28 for 800m at the Highgate Open Meeting at Parliament Hill, while Radus set a 3000m time of 10:20.41 at Watford. At the same meeting Biny Bloom, 14, set a mark of 4:42.52 for 1500m while Rosalind Zeffert moved to top of the national V55 rankings with a 100m time of 15.88. Hannah Viner set a parkrun personal best of 17:12 at Hackney Marshes.
                ****

Australian walker Jemima Montag, 20, took the Commonwealth Games 20 km gold medal at the Gold Coast, setting a time of 1:32:50. Including fellow Australian Jewish athlete Steve Solomon amongst those who had inspired her, Montag has been a medal winner on the global scene since age 16. Montag had been contesting the race lead with fellow Australian Claire Tallent, and was assured the gold when Tallent was disqualified after her third "lifting" offence as the race neared its end.Steve Solomon himself placed seventh in the 400m final, recording 45.64.

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