WIRRAL AC’s Chris Smith had to settle for bronze in the 800m at the BUCS Indoor Championships in Sheffield.

The 21-year-old, who was third in the event two years ago, had high hopes of landing gold, but couldn’t repeat the form he showed earlier this season.

In a tight finish Smith, who was competing for the University of Birmingham, was narrowly denied second place and finished in 1:52.75, 0.57secs behind winner Tom Marley.

Liverpool John Moores student Jonny Mellor (8:20.96) was sixth in the 3000m final, while Nathan Riding (3:52.37) was seventh in the final of the 1500m and Eleanor Markendale (5.35m) ninth in the long jump.

University of Liverpool’s Seonaid Murray (2:15.03) was sixth in the 800m with teammate Sarah Harley (10:53.27) ninth in the 3000m and Jenny Reason (2.30m) 12th in the pole vault.

LIVERPOOL Harriers’ James Horman was 22nd in the rearranged Trafford 10km road race in 32:45. Clubmates Alan Ashton (33rd, 34:05) and Tony Clarke (49th, 35:28) were also well placed in a strong field. Dave Barr (37:40) and Simon Marriot (38:12) used the race as speed work in their preparation for next month’s London Marathon.

Harriers’ Jenny Clague recently returned to winning ways by leading her team to victory in the Llandudno Nick Beer 10km road race in 38:02.

Clague was the first woman home and was well supported by Clare Murphy (6th, 40:23) and Sophie Whiteside (7th, 42:37).

Ashton, who was voted Harriers’ Veteran of The Year, was fourth in the men’s race in 35:23.

THE Wavertree Mystery 5km Road Race Series has moved its race nights to Tuesdays.

The dates are: May 4, June 8, July 6, August 3 and September 7. Races start at 7.15pm.