Forrester and Smith eye place in Poland

Jun 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

DAVID FORRESTER (St Helens-Sutton) and Chris Smith (Wirral) staked their claims for inclusion in the Great Britain team to compete at the World Junior Championships in Poland in July by beating the qualifying standards over 1,500m and 800m respectively at Watford.

Competing in the prestigious British Milers’ Club meeting Forrester, recorded 3.41.6, the fastest by a British junior since 1992. It also eclipsed the BMC’s junior record held for 25 years by former St Helens athlete, Paul Wynn.

Smith also smashed his personal best with a splendid 1.48.2 over the two-lap race and looks almost certain to be on the plane to Poland in July. Smith (second in the 800m ranking) and Forrester (first over 1,500m) will be contesting the National Junior Championships at Bedford this weekend each bidding to confirm their places in the team.

Both missed the Northern Championships where local successes were spasmodic in uncertain weather conditions. John McCole lifted the senior 5000m title in 14.34.39 and there were wins for the Warrington junior duo of Stephen Broadhurst (1,500m) and Danny Cliffe (5,000m) while Harry Doran (LPS) returned from injured to take the 400m title in 48.58.

There were places on the podium for Andrew Allen (Javelin), Adam Reynolds (Hammer), the ever-improving Dave McKay (West Cheshire) in the senior javelin, Becky McLinden (400m) and a quartet of 100m hurdlers, seniors Katie Reed, Helen Asher and juniors Katie McHale and Ashley Helsby.