Hannah England (Oxford City AC) won a close 800m race at the Aviva London Grand Prix in 2:04.74, having also won the OCWK race at the same meeting in 2007.For the first time in an OCWK race, three talented young athletes from overseas were invited to compete. World Junior bronze medallist Machteld Mulder (Netherlands), World Junior sixth placer Sofia Öberg (Sweden) and leading Polish Under 23 Agnieszka Sowinska (Poland) were up against seven ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes.
None of the athletes followed the pacemaker, Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims (Newham & Essex Beagles), and the race became a tactical affair. When Henrietta reached the bell in 60.08 seconds, it was Machteld Mulder (Netherlands) who led the rest of the field a couple of seconds back from Alison Leonard (Blackburn Harriers), Sofia Öberg and Tara Bird (Woodford Green with Essex Ladies). Tara was the first to make a move, going into the lead with 200 metres to go, with Alison and Hannah following behind.
It was Hannah who had the strongest finish down the home straight, winning in 2:04.74 from Alison, who clocked 2:04.83. Sofia Öberg came through to just pip Tara on the line for third in 2:05.17 to Tara’s 2:05.19. Dani Christmas (Crawley AC) finished fifth in a personal best of 2:05.56, taking 0.03 seconds off the time she set earlier this season and Rachel Stringer (City of Norwich) took a second off her personal best, clocking 2:05.92 in sixth place. Agnieszka Sowinska finished seventh in 2:05.97, Laura Finucane (Pendle AC) was eighth in 2:05.98, Machteld Mulder ninth in 2:06.02 and Rowena Cole (Coventry Godiva Harriers), the youngest in the field at just 16, was just outside her personal best with 2:07.35 in tenth place.
800m - Results| 1. | Hannah England | 2:04.74 |
| 2. | Alison Leonard | 2:04.83
|
| 3. | Sofia Öberg (SWE)
| 2:05.17 |
| 4. | Tara Bird
| 2:05.19 |
| 5. | Danielle Christmas
| 2:05.56 PB |
| 6. | Rachel Stringer | 2:05.92 PB |
| 7. | Agnieszka Sowinska (POL)
| 2:05.97 |
| 8. | Laura Finucane
| 2:05.98 SB |
| 9. | Machteld Mulder (NED)
| 2:06.02 |
| 10. | Rowena Cole
| 2:07.35 |
| DNF | Henrietta Kodilinye Sims (pacemaker)
| |
Click here for related news story 27 July 2008
Click here for related news story 25 July 2008