23rd June 2024
Lee Valley Athletics Centre – 61 Meridian Way, London N9 0AR
After the European events attended, albeit with somewhat challenging conditions, this outdoor season it was by default and current status of under the restraints of being a self-financed and self-organised competition athlete, a necessary return to the more low cost local options was in order, having stretched to as much as possible this season to afford a good level of competition both home and abroad without Malaysian National assistance or competition opportunity this year so far.
So it was a return to a fast becoming favourite with a Sunday competition in the 200m BFTTA open in London to continue with another 200m competitive run out.
The UK having suffered much as Europe with a relative poor summer weather wise, was kind enough on the day with no rain and cloudy/sunny conditions and 22 Celsius.
And BFTTA always have great, well organised Open meets with the races seeded by times, and in the seniors category the usual strong competition expected.
In today’s race it was no lack of fierce competition either with athletes lining up in the 200m with PB’s at sub 21 second. The standout being Richard Kilty, a British sprinter who competes both Indoor and Outdoor across all the sprint events including 60 metres, 100 metres, 150 metres, and 200 metres.
Richard is a former World and double European Champion indoors at 60 metres, and also a silver medalist in the World Athletics Championships, as well as a European and Commonwealth Champion in the 4 x 100 metre relay for Great Britain and England respectively. Having recently secured his selection for the Paris Olympics 4 x 100m mens relay team, a good showing was anticipated for this 200m race.
Keen eyed fans of Russel and UK athletics may recall a FB post from December 2022 with Russel enjoying a training session with Richard a few months on after first arriving in Loughborough, and now a great opportunity to go against him in the 200m in competition.
At the gun it was a good start and well executed bend for Russel, but at the home straight Richard Kilty was able to pull away and took first place in 21.05. Russel coming in second (21.35) and Richard Akinyebo (a BFTTA athlete) in third (21.52).