Champion Adam in rankings fillip

ADAM HOWARD . . . ranked No.1 for his age group in the 3,000 metres.

ATHLETICS: OLDHAM and Royton’s Adam Howard raced to the top of the UK rankings for his age group after winning the under-15s 3,000 metre race at the English National Track Championships.

In the process Adam (14) set a new record of nine minutes, 11.71 seconds at the Bedford event.

Oldham and Royton Harriers team-mate Jack Crabtree finished third in 9:19.22.

Adam’s mum, Louise, said: “It is fantastic to see Adam sitting at the top of the rankings.

“What makes the win even sweeter is the fact that Adam has only run 3,000m once, and that was just for training.

“The race at Bedford was his first competitive run at that distance, so to come first is obviously a big achievement.

“He was made up after the race. Without being big-headed he expected to be there or thereabouts at the front, but he still worked hard and managed to take first place.”

Adam won’t have much time to sit back and reflect on his latest accomplishment. The cross-country season is about to get into full swing and Adam will take part in the National Relay Championships at the end of October, followed by the UK Cross Challenge. There will also be cross-country league events.

It has been a busy time for Harriers. Running 800m at the BMC invitation meeting at Trafford, Christopher Brown claimed second place in 2:17.30.

It came hot on the heels of the 800m title he retained at the Peterborough Games in 2:22.56, silver in the 100m courtesy of a 13:85 run, and fourth in the long jump after posting 4.13m.