The Fastrax National Athletics League team sealed six stunning victories as part of an encouraging squad performance at the Loughborough International Athletics meeting.
Ruben Miranda (Thames Valley/Ealing Southall & Middlesex), the reigning Portuguese indoor champion, was first to get the ball rolling with a 5.10 metres pole vault victory before Hayley McLean (Shaftesbury Barnet) stormed home in the 400m hurdles in her fastest ever season-opening time of 56.92 seconds.
Afterwards, McLean said: “It’s always difficult in your first race of the season, a lot of nerves, a lot of adrenaline, you’re not quite sure how you feel.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better – a win in slightly windy conditions and a fastest ever opener,” she added.
Hayley’s year had already started with a bonus, given that she was not expecting to be in the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 4x400m relay at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul in March. “I’m not a big fan of the 400m flat in general. I like having things in my way to keep my mind occupied,” she joked.
“The indoor season is just training for me to see where I am, so be selected for the relay was such a surprise for me and a shock, but it was amazing to be part of that team, just giving me the drive to work my hardest for outdoors.”
Miranda – who was also beginning his outdoor season – described his performance as “a great victory”. “I feel it was a good attempt (at 5.20),” he said. “A lot to be learned today, but definitely in my next competition, I’ll know where to start, so fingers crossed I can have a good season.”
“I’ve never come to the Loughborough International before so it was a great experience. Hopefully it won’t be my last one,” said the Ibero-American silver medallist who will now focus on his national trials.
Former European under-20 champion Khahisa Mhlanga (Herts Phoenix) later came through strongly to win the women’s 800m in 2:04.19, before Niamh Bridson-Hubbard (Blackheath & Bromley) made it a stellar middle-distance double by charging down the home straight in 4:50.53.
MILE WIN 🥇 @_niamhbh with a delightful charge down the home straight for the NAL in the Mile race in 4:50.53 🔥 #LIA2023 #NAL #Fastrax pic.twitter.com/ZHdIWxAf6O
— National Athletics League (@Nat_Ath_League) May 21, 2023
In the field, Akin Coward (Shaftesbury Barnet) cleared a sensational outright lifetime best of 2.19 metres to blow away his competitors, while 2017 British senior champion Joe Dunderdale’s (Sheffield & Dearne) 74.22 was over two metres better than any of his rivals.
Other notable results included GB international Chris McAlister (Thames Valley) coming second behind rival Jack Lawrie of Scotland.
Luke Dorrell (21.54) was a runner-up in hot pursuit of the verstaile Alex Haydock-Wilson (21.35) in the 200m. It was even closer between Cameron Fillery (14.07) and the NAL’s Edson Gomes (Shaftesbury Barnet, 14.19) in the 110m hurdles.
Emily Madden Forman (Trafford), equalled her outdoor personal best with 1.78 that secured her a proverbial silver behind event victor Laura Zialor (1.84).
Andrew Knight (Southampton) was third in the men’s shot put with 17.00m, with Sam Costley (Southampton, 9:03.75) in the same spot in the 3000m steeplechase.
To view the full set of results, click here.
