26 April 2018
The athletics squad kicked off their season at the Achilles Relays. Started in 1963 the relays take place on the infamous athletics track on the Iffley Road in Oxford, where history was made all those years ago. Before proceedings got under way a fitting tribute was made to the late Sir Roger Bannister, who stunned the world by running the first sub 4 minute mile in a time of 3.59.4 (on the very track our athletes would be competing on). A feat that was once deemed impossible.
Inspired, the senior athletes qualified for the final of the 4 x 100m in a time of 46.9 seconds, averaging 11.7s per runner. Special mention must go to junior athlete James Connelly who ran for the seniors, due to a late withdrawal, holding his own against the older competition. The juniors narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the 4x100m (51.3s) and 4 x 200m (1min 50.2s), but ran respectable times for their first taste of track racing.
The senior 4x400m team secured 3rd place in a time of 3minutes 38s. Special mention must go to Tom Butcher who ran a blisteringly quick leg, showing great potential for the rest of the season. The 4x800m backed up their 400m counterparts also placing 3rd. The intermediate and junior middle distance runners ran valiantly against a quality field including the likes of Harrow, Eton and Millfield.
A fantastic start to the season, well done to all involved.
