A league record for Lauren Stoddart in the steeplechase and a premier division record for Hanna Tarver in the 800m were the standout performances as Edinburgh AC’s senior women claimed victory at match two of the UK Women’s League in Birmingham.
With no fewer than eleven event winners the team were unstoppable, beating home club Birchfield Harriers into second by 26.5 points.
Lauren’s record run was her first outing over the 2000m steeplechase this season and showed the strides she has made recently, taking twenty seconds off her previous best. Hanna’s 2.02.13 over 800m is her fourth consecutive personal best this year having started the season with a best of 2.05.42. Both athletes’ performances place in the UK top ten for 2014.
Edinburgh took maximum points in the hammer with Susan McKelvie and Kimberley Reed, the long jump with Sarah Warnock and Gillian Cooke and the 1500m with Madeleine Murray and Laura Dunn. There were also wins by Jayne Nisbet in the A high jump, Emma Pringle in the B triple jump and the 4x400m team
Personal best runs from Amanda Woodrow and Rachael Dunn to finish 3rd and 4th in the A and B 3000m respectively rounded out a successful day, leaving Edinburgh second in the league standings with one match still to come.
A strong showing at Eton on the 5th of July could see the club taking the National title for the second year in a row and another chance to represent the UK at the European Club Champions Cup.
Thank you once again to all athletes, coaches and officials for braving the weather to secure a great result for the club and especially to those who stepped in to cover the transport problem when the bus failed to turn up!
Fantastic results and a great EAC team effort. Very inspiring!