Beth breaks five-minute barrier with strong finish

With the wind getting stronger throughout the night the conditions were far from ideal for fast running but undeterred the Mansfield athletes put in some superb performances.

Leading the way was Beth Hamilton who was put in a very strong field racing girls and boys older and faster than her, but she responded in style. The 12-year-old produced a strong last lap to finish in 4.57.81 - good enough for third in this year’s UK Under 13 girls 1500 metres rankings, and was also a massive six seconds best time.

Jake Orr also had a great run over 1500 metres as he too showed character, chasing the five-minute barrier, going through 800 in close to his 800 PB Orr pushed hard over the last 700 metres but finished in 5.03.64.

Alex Foster, more accustomed to 800m racing, went in the 1500m for the first time and finished in 5.21.26.

Matthew Young (5.29.69) ran well, as did Ella Kennedy (5.30.31). Another racing the distance for the first time was masters track star Bev Armstrong who recorded 5.39.18 and again will be much better next time.