Isle of Wight AC and Ryde Harrier Henry McLuckie made an excellent start to his outdoor track season by comfortably winning the International 3000m event at the Belfast Classic.
On a clear and sunny day but in blustery conditions Henry ran a smart race and after an opening fast lap the pace settled and he sat comfortably in the small leading pack as the laps ticked by.
With the pacemakers dropping out after doing their job Henry moved to the front of the field with 900m remaining and from this point gradually pulled away looking even stronger on the final lap. He was rewarded with a winning time of 7min 43.64 seconds which is the 3rd fastest in the UK this year.
An added bonus for Henry was that his time beat the 39 year old track record previously held by Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett whose time of 7min 44.83 seconds was set back in 1987. An outstanding achievement.
Also competing in Belfast was Ryde Harrier Taryn Rawlings who took 4th place in the international 1500m in a large and strong field. The race was won from gun to tape by Melissa Courtney Bryant with Taryn, in her first outdoor race of the season picking off athletes in a strong fast last 200m to record 4min 09.22 seconds. A splendid start to the season for her.
Both Henry & Taryn will next compete in Brussels in 2 weeks time.
Race Report by Geoff Watkin
Geoff Watkin, Ryde Harriers Coach:
‘’Both Henry and Taryn have had excellent blocks of winter training, racing well indoors and then spending time at altitude at Font Romeu in the Pyrenees in preparation for a long outdoor season’’
