Herne Hill Harriers round up: Georgie Grgec posts 3,000m PB in Bromley to go third in club’s all-time list for distance

BY GEOFF JERWOOD

Georgie Grgec posted a new 3,000-metre personal best – by seven seconds – in the London Hurdles and Middle Distance Open Event in Norman Park, Bromley on Sunday.

Her time of 9:20.11 ranks top 20 in the UK this year and elevates her to third on the club’s all time list for the distance behind internationals Chloe Tighe and Katie Snowden and leapfrogging Saskia Millard.

It was Grgec’s first track race for two years and she only raced three times in 2019.

Mike Cummings and Brandon Dewar dominated the A race with Dewar leading until the final 500m. Cummings covered the final 400m in less than 64 seconds for a season’s best time (8:44.66). Dewar was second (8:49.92).

The next race saw a superb battle for second place between Andrew Grigg and Grgec. Grigg prevailed in the final sprint with his 9:19.71.

Grgec survived a mid-race melee in which both she and Jeff Cunningham (fifth in 9:29.05) had to hurdle over a runner who fell in front of them.

Jack Dickenson was fourth in 9:13.68 in the first race behind Cummings and Dewar. Julia Wedmore produced a season’s best of 10:47.43 for third place in the final race.

The club’s young athletes raced at Bromley and South London Harriers’ Middle Distance Race Fest at Coulsdon on Saturday.

Jacob Alley returned to racing after almost three years away with a 2:14 for the 800m in Coulsdon.

New boy Malachai Balogun won his race in a PB of 2:18.8.

Evan Cowell New won his race in a PB of 2:22.48. Jon Goldston (U13 boy) improved his PB to 2:21.73. In that same age category there were fine performances from Josh Maguire (2:28.24),

Dylan Gillies (2:40.79) , Alfie Bryan (2:49.49) and Oliver Berry (2:50.45). Claire van Heel ran her first 800m (2:45.47), Sophie Wright clocked a PB (2:46.02) ahead of Imogen Weller (2:46.32).

Still in Coulsdon, in the 1,500m U15B Keeran Sriskandrajah finished in 4:24.13. Phoebe Bowen had a season’s best (4:49.88). Orla Wright (U13G) improved her PB to 5:21.67 in only her second 1,500m race.

Caspian Holmes arrived at Coulsdon after two hours of football, won his race and improving his PB with 4:53.73. Abbey Jeffcoat finished third in a PB of 4:56.05.

Jack McLennan won his race (5:09.17). Lucy Wright improved her PB to 5:18.16.

At Bromley in the 800m races Zac Crowther ran 2:04 and Sriskandrajah a PB of 2:05.89. Robin Bebbington won in 2:11.79. Diego Lister ran 2:23.65, David Aisa Miller won his race in a PB of 2:21.49.

There were PBs for Alex Wilson (2:24.44), Sophia Sahai (2:25.3) and Warren Wilson ( 2:27.08) in the same race.

Josh Maguire finished second in 2:24.83.

Holmes again raced after playing football, running a PB (2:22:15). Freddie Hake ran (2:26.5), Vivi Marshall (2:39.43) and Eva O’Hanlon (2:42.05). Rosalie Laban (a PB of 2:35.01) and Anna Forster (2:35.11) finished first and second in their race.

Sophie and Lucy Wright continued the family PB run with Sophie clocking 2:45.49 and Lucy producing a four seconds improvement (2:25.71).

Fabien Whitelock ran a season’s best 4:51.43 in one of the 1,500m races. Alex Jack dipped under five minutes with a 4:49.35 PB.

Izzy Perry ran 5:08.21, Sophie Jack claimed a 5:34.85 PB after almost pulling out on the start line with a sore gluteal.

Orla Carroll ran a 5:37.90 PB.