DAC athletes compete at UK Athletics Indoor Championships

Three Derby AC members flew the flag for the club when they competed at the Microplus UK Athletics Indoor Championships at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.

Sisters Ella and Lauren Blakey, in their DAC vests, and hurdler Jonathan Mann competed at the champs before a sold-out crowd over two days, on 17 and 18 February.

The event attracts a high calibre of athletes, this year including sprinter Jeremiah Azu, pole vaulter and now world leader Molly Caudery, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the shot, Laura Muir in the 3,000m and Gemma Reekie, who set a new UK indoor record in the 800m.

Ella ran in the 400m on the Saturday, Jonathan in the 60m hurdles, also on the Saturday, and Lauren in the 200m on the Sunday.

Some great performances by the trio saw Ella running a strong race to finish third in her heat in 55.28, missing out by one place on a spot in the semi-final, and Jonathan running close to his 8.31 PB to post 8.33 and come fourth in his hurdles heat.

On the Sunday, Lauren won her heat in 24.36, just outside her 24.33 PB, to go forward to the semi-final. In the semi, against tough opposition including the eventual bronze medallist, Lauren ran a gutsy 24.40 to finish the race in third place.

Massive well done to all three athletes, who did the club proud at the event.