A Good Day at the Races

Morning Session

Kylie was first up this morning in her heat of the 100m Hurdles, racing to an easy victory, half a second quicker than the winner of the other heat - things were looking good for the final in the evening.
The 4x100m squads were up next in their relay heats. Glenn, Nathan, Hywel and Matt produced the goods, with slick changeovers (and pretty fast running) bringing them home first in a fast 42.6. Unfortunately Cayman went faster in heat 2, breaking the games record with 41.8! But, anything can happen in the final...

The Guernsey girls didn't fare so well in their heat, failing to get the baton around safely.

Evening Session

We headed to the track with high hopes of success. After Lou's gold yesterday we had the taste of success and wanted more. First up, Glenn Etherington...

Glenn took to the track like an Island Games pro in his first individual race for his adopted island and tore away from the rest of the field to take gold in the final of the 110m hurdles, in 15.12, beating Jersey's Pete Irving into second. Great start, now for Kylie...

Kylie was hot favourite for gold after her sizzling heat this morning. The pressure was on and she did not disappoint, exploding from the blocks and leading from the gun to record a convincing victory - something like a second and a half - not bad in a sprint event!

Jonny Guille jumped 5.80 in the long jump qualifiers, not far enough to make the final, but fortunately he left the track with a smile after finding out he had passed his second year at uni!

Martine and Sarah stepped up next for the final of the 1500m. After fast heats yesterday, a medal was going to be a tall order for both our girls. A blistering pace was set by the lead group, with 3 vying for the lead, and the others strung out behind. Marts and Sarah worked hard but the pace was too hot, and they had to settle for 4th and 6th in times that would have won medals in previous years.

Now the finale, and a much anticipated clash between our own Tom Druce and Matt Bailey, and Isle of Wight's in-form Joe Wade in the 800m. Wade hit the front, leading the first lap in a blistering 53 seconds, with Tom just behind, but the rest of the field struggling to keep up. Druce and Wade were still together coming around the final bend, then Tom made his move, edging ahead in the final straight, pulling clear enough to celebrate as only Tom can! Another gold, and almost a pb - 1:52.04. Matt was 6th in 1:59, close to his PB, showing he's hit form at just the right time.

(By Lee G)
(PS Check out video clips on youtube. Search for: Guernsey Athetics Aland)