TEAM manager Andrew Freeman led by example for Bromsgrove & Redditch Athletic Club at Sunday’s Athletics Direct Midlands Track & Field League Division Four third round meeting.
To compensate for injuries, a number of B&R athletes doubled up on events and did themselves proud, none more so than Freeman.
There were 12 personal bests and 24 season’s best for B&R, with Freeman leading the way with a PB in the shot put, season-best performances in the high jump, discus and javelin and second place in the 400m hurdles.
His wife Tamara Freeman stepped up from running as a B runner to A and produced a PB in the 800m as she finished fifth in 2:30 and also came second in the 1,500m B in 5:17.6 – a season’s best.
Sally Hogan showed fine form with second place in the 1,500m in 5:06 and also clocked 2:32.7 to win the 800m B race.
Among the club’s juniors in action was Beth Sykes, still only 16, who ran the race of her life to win the 3,000m in 10:48.4. Supporting her was Alison Pickup who was third in the B race in 11:52.2.
Redditch athlete Joe Smith (Tipton Harriers) finished second in the 1,500m with a PB of 4:06.2 and chasing him was B&R’s Tom Richardson in fourth in a season’s best 4:47.6.
In the B race Jack Morley was fourth in a season’s best 4:54.3.
B&R finished third on the day with 376 points and sit second overall, behind leaders Tipton and above third placed Gloucester. The final meeting is on August 5 at Stourport.