Beagles stars shine in international meet

While Mo Farah grabbed the headlines at the Aviva International meeting on Saturday, two of his Newham & Essex Beagles club-mates also earned valuable points towards Great Britain’s winning total.

High-jumper Robbie Grabarz, who set a new personal best and world leading mark last week, followed up to clear 2.26 metres in Glasgow, placing third in the competition behind Russian Aleksandr Shustov and American Andra Manson.

Meanwhile, in the pole vault competition, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Steve Lewis placed fourth after clearing 5.30m, although was some way short of his best.

At the South of England Cross Country Championships in Brighton, Kevin Skinner led home the five-strong team of Beagles runners in the senior men’s race.

The 32-year-old crossed the line in 52 minutes 33 seconds, just ahead of Olly Laws who placed 34th in 53.24.

John Clarke was next to finish, clocking 53.45 for 39th spot. John Pike was 66th in 54.50 and completing the team was Stephen Hepples who crossed the line in 57.10 for 124th place.

Back home, Newham & Essex Beagles hosted their indoor series, which saw a host of the club’s young athletes achieve personal best times in the 60m sprints.

Former World Youth Games bronze medallist Gianni Frankis ran a super-quick 6.85, as did club-mate Kelvin Tairou.

Meanwhile, there were new best times for David Ajayi (7.20), Gospel Adebanjo (7.46), Andrew Elie (7.55), Ewaen Isoken (7.76), Jamal Kelly (7.81), Holly Thomas (7.91), and Yemi Akinshippo (8.09).

As well as Sweetie Akindele (8.25), Mayowa Osunsami (8.25) and Rotimi Osunsami (8.82).