Sheffield Triumphs as Lee Valley Athletics Centre Hosts McCain UKA City Challenge
Date Published: 03/03/2010
London’s Lee Valley Athletics Centre (LVAC) proudly hosted the second match of the nationwide, City Team based athletics competition, the McCain City Challenge series, on Saturday 27 February.
(The first challenge took place earlier this month at the England Institute of Sports in Sheffield, seeing top club athletes and rising stars competing in all indoors events, from the 60m to the 1500m, shot put to high jump, concluding in a medley relay.)
With eight teams from Glasgow to London and Newcastle to Cardiff battling it out across two matches to fight for the title of McCain City Challenge Champions 2010.
Louise Bloor was the star of the show for Sheffield Flames as they successfully defended their McCain City Challenge title. Bloor’s victory in the women’s 200m with a time of 24.66 seconds ahead of Cardiff Dragons’ Melanie Stevenson and London North Lions athlete Dominique Blaze helped set the Flames well on their way to a comfortable victory.
There was also a welcome comeback for 2008 Olympic heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, who guested in the shot, her first competitive outing since injury ruled her out of the 2009 World Championships.
The Flames racked-up an impressive 498.39 points to see off North London Lions, who finished second with 454.9 points with Birmingham Falcons finishing on 380.29 in third.
Elsewhere, Jamie Williamson provided another Sheffield win in the shot with a personal best throw of 17.66m.
Mick Bond, General Manager of LVAC says “We’re delighted to have hosted this prestigious event which saw the UK’s best emerging talent competing at the centre.”
North London Lions' Hamim Lubega turned tragedy into triumph by winning the men's 400m just hours after the death of his grandfather, with a time of 48.77 second. Newcastle Angels' Jonathon Taylor produced an imperious performance in the 1500m and his time of 3:44.93 was enough to see him win by almost six seconds from Nick Samuels (Birmingham Falcons).
Henrietta Paxton produced the goods for Birmingham Falcons winning the women's pole vault with a leap of 4.00m.
Vicky Griffths (Manchester Warriors) was unable to take victory in the build up to next month’s World Indoor Championships where she is selected over 800m. She finished in third place in the 400m after a run of 55.74 seconds.
In a further highlight there was a guest appearance from Kelly Sotherton, who is back in training with sights set on the forthcoming European Championships in Barcelona. The 33-year-old competed in the shot, registering a best throw of 14.41m.
She said: “It was really good to get out there and get competing again because I'm someone who needs to have a target,” said Sotherton.
With prize money over £30,000 up for grabs, an inspirational London arena and a first class competition opportunity, the event was designed with the athlete in mind.
There was one athlete per team (men and women) competing in each event. The cities represented in both matches were as follows: Glasgow Cobras, Newcastle Angels, Manchester Warriors, Sheffield Flames, Birmingham Falcons, Cardiff Dragons, London North Lions and the London South Sharks.
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
The Lee Valley Athletics Centre is a centre of excellence for UK Athletics and is used by 22% of all UK athletes in receipt of Lottery Funding. It is home to three of the four British track and field medallists from the Beijing Olympics, including gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu.
Lee Valley Regional Park stretches 26 miles along the River Lee from Ware in Hertfordshire to East India Dock Basin on the Thames. The Park’s 26 miles comprise a diverse mix of heritage sites, nature reserves and open green spaces alongside world class sports facilities; we attract over 4 million visitors every year.
Lee Valley Regional Park is playing an active part in the London 2012 Games. The new White Water Canoe Centre (just north of the M25 between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross) and the VeloPark and Hockey and Tennis Centres in Olympic Park will be owned, managed and funded by Lee Valley Regional Park in legacy. They join our existing sports facilities which include Lee Valley’s Athletics Centre, Riding Centre and Ice Centre to create a chain of sporting excellence across the region.
Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way,
Picketts Lock, London N9 0AR, Tel: 020 8344 7230, www.leevalleypark.org.uk
Press Information:
For more information please contact Lee Valley Regional Park Authority:
Jackie Tolland: 01992 709 933, (M) 07739 990 151, (E) jtolland@leevalleypark.org.uk
Michelle Rosenberg: 01992 709 830, (M) 07920 810 403, (E) mrosenberg@leevalleypark.org.uk