Author Archives: Steve

Last years 3000m (U15) event saw a very special race with 5 of the top 6 runners getting PB’s and the results aligning exactly with the Power of 10’s rankings, mostly because the times set became the runners ranks. Robbie came 6th last year, as bottom age group he wasn’t expecting such a high finish this time round, but also wasn’t expecting quite such a disappointing run. The race started very fast, Robbie trying hard to settle down at his own pace still clocked up a fast 67 seconds first 400m whilst sitting at the back. As other runners started to slow Robbie stepped up and start picking off the runners in front of him until he found that the next runner was too far away to have a chance of catching. So, much like the Hampshire Grand Prix, Robbie found himself alone and with nobody to help drag him round, ultimately finishing in a disappointing 20th place in a time 11 seconds slower than his PB. We had hoped that this very competitive race would enable Robbie to improve his PB for the 3000m but it simply wasn’t to be. So the track season target of sub 9 minutes for 3000m never happened, and nor did the sub 4’05” 1500m.

Track season is now over for Robbie, Road Relays around the corner followed by Cross Country. We hope that the 2015/16 season treats him better than last year.

The only in-club event of the track season targets the junior sections, from Quad kids through u13, U15 and up to U17. Many of the events for the older age groups were a little light on entries this year, partially caused by the date clash with the U15/U17 National Championships. The 1500m was run as a single event for U15/U17 and both sexes. With Robbie running the 3000m at the National on Sunday, this was supposed to be a gentle run out to warm up the legs, only nobody told the other runners that. New boy Alex took on the charge and pushed out the pace from the start, though not exceptionally fast, it was still faster than initially expected, fortunately by the 600m point the pace settled, and Robbie slipped past and ran his own race finishing first in 4:22:00. A good run out and nice to see some new faces on the track.

John  Hewitt Memorial – 1500m Medal Ceremony

The Hampshire Athletics Grand Prix races can be an excellent event for setting PB’s, this time however it didn’t look like it would help Robbie, with only two paced heats, one too fast and one too slow, there would be no real assistance from the pace makers for him. Race started well, Robbie running his own pace and letting everyone get on with it, often the right choice, but on this occasion it simply didn’t work out, leaving Robbie dead in the middle between two groups of runners, the main and faster group about 50m in front, the slower group about 20m behind. After 4 or 5 laps of running solo, and not really gaining on the leading group, the weather conditions and the solo run started to take their toll. Robbie’s pace slowed significantly, the chasing group split in two and the leading element stepped up, caught Robbie and went past him. AFD co-runner Bryn Smith ran an excellent race sat sweetly at the back of that chasing group and earning him not only a finishing place in front of Robbie but an excellent PB at the same time (U20M – 9:12.40).

U17 Men Results
1st Josh Shuter 9:09.42
2nd Robbie Coupland 9:17.24
3rd Kier Sullivan 9:37.98

Robbie was selected to represent Hampshire in this inter county T&F championships at the last minute when one of the team had to pull out due to injury. A fairly easy trip to Little Marlow in windy but sunny weather conditions, didn’t bode well for  any fast times or any special results.

Hoping for a top 5 finish overall, but was scuppered on the day by the bad conditions, and getting stuck leading the chase to catch the break away group. Hard work pushing in to that wind, but it had to be done. Ultimately finishing 8th out of 18, not bad but was hoping for a little better, the slow time of 9’33” represents the conditions more than anything, the race was won by fellow AFD and Hampshire runner Jake Cvetkovic in 8’58” (PB is 8’39”). Slow results were clocked in the 1500m too, it simply was not a high performance day. Well done though to Robbie, it has been a while since he raced, so not a bad re-entry on to the circuit.

Robbie in the chasing pack at 200m in.

Watford Harriers Open meets can be hit and miss events, get the right heat and you have a good chance to get a PB. Tonight saw a lot of lads get the right heats, the 1500m serving up PB’s to lots of last years U15’s. Robbie raced in the 2nd 3000m heat which very quickly saw 3 distinct groups form with Robbie and fellow AFD athlete Macgregor Cox sitting nicely in the second group running 72/73 second laps. Robbie’s target to knock off a massive 16 seconds from his PB in order to meet the National Championships qualifying time and book a place at Bedford in August, although the time wasn’t forth coming an excellent run was still had with Robbie smashing 13 seconds from his PB to finish in 9’05”. With that time gained so early on in the season, we are certain that 9’02” will happen in time for that place at the National Championships.

Well done to the multitude of runners that got PB’s at Watford tonight, it was a good night to run, and a big thank you to Watford Harriers for hosting such an excellent event.