Written by Bridget Cushen on 31/03/2016
Medal winning performances and other highlights from Day 2 in Ancona Italy
Irie Hills claims another major Pole Vault title.
World Record for Glyn Sutton in scintillating 60m Finals.
Rachel Burns, NMAC, made her first appearance at a European Masters Championships a golden one racing to a decisive 10.00.27sec W35 victory. Joanne Locker missed out in 4th. Pat Gallagher also struck gold in the W70 race and Ros Tabor in the W65 race. Silke Schmidt of Germany set a new W55 European 3000m record 10.41.89 despite athletes finding the dry warm air difficult to cope with.
Ben Reynolds, VAC, led the 21-strong M50 field from the start despite being challenged in the early stages by Vanderbosch of Belgium, Simon Anderson stayed in close contention. Reynolds upped the pace over the last few laps proving too strong coming home in 9.13.90. Behind him there was a great scramble for the minor medals as Anderson put in a very fast last lap to pass the Italian Carporale. The Italian did not give up however making one last surge to catch Anderson on the line, 9.14.48 to 9.14.77sec.
The 60m Finals got the packed stands to their feet despite running late into the evening. British sprinters dominated the W35 final with the European title going to Welsh Masters Joanne Frost in 7.93 followed by Claire Spurway, SCVAC, 7.96, Samantha Bickley-Vaile 4th and Naana Adusei 8th. After his brilliant 6.97 in his Heat, Mark Finlay showed his superiority with a 6.95 victory from Cruz Pastor of France and Mensah Elliott 7.14. Marvin Edwards finished 5th.
After two false starts in the M40 race, the Maltese sprinter got away quickest and it took the long striding Tam Ossai to the last few metres to overhaul him to win in 7.04. In the W40 race, Emilia Paunica of Spain also got a brilliant start going on to win in 7.82. Michelle Thomas 4th and Giare Skervin 5th. M45 Jason Carty started favourite and delivered in 7.16sec. Pat Logan was a popular winner in the M55 category, 7.57sec, with Kevin Burgess 5th. Multi record holder, Nicole Alexis, France sped to a decisive W55 8.10 victory with Jane Holder and Angela Kelly also making the final. Our Photographer Tom Phillips and Paul Lavender both reached the M60 final placing 6th/7th. Caroline Powell, SWVAC, made her W60 win look so easy, unfortunately injury ruled out the other two British finalise, Helen Godsell and Joan Trimble.
Welsh Masters super hero Glyn Sutton broke his own short lived M70 WR with a sizzling 8.09 sprint. With Vic Novell 4th, Allan Long 5th and James Smith 8th in a British dominated final.
Anthony Treacher had a terrible start and did well to run Guideo Muller close for the silver medal. Iris Holder took her second W75 title; great to see Mollie Mills pick up the bronze and Dorothy Fraser back to running in top gear. The popular Tony Bowman, back from injury, raced to the M80 crown in 9.46 with John Evans 4th. Charles Eugster did not have a Walk-over in the M95 race, he had to fight hard to hold off the Italian Giuseppe Ottaviani, 18.17 to 18.65!
Meanwhile, problems were mounting in the heavily subscribed Pentathlon and after a long day their final event was yet to start as the clock ticked towards 22.00.