With the 3000 metre races of the British Masters Indoor Championships fast approaching, here is a run down of those who look ready to race for gold, and possibly set a record or two at the English Institute of Sport.
Battle of the Fast Men in the M35s
The scene is set for a heavyweight battle in the M35 category. Kristian Watson and Daniel Eckersley are both sub-9 since 2020, the latter only a masters athlete since November.
Mansfield athlete Watson was highly active in 2021, though only covered the 3000 metre distance twice, 9:05.51 his best. Eckersley took on a flat 7.5 laps even less, just once in the past year. The Kingston & Poly athlete preferred the ‘chase, winning a Southern bronze over the barriers. His sole flat clocking came in at 8:49.62, just outside Watson’s 2020 PB of 8:48.86.
O’Brien Hoping to Bring Outdoors Record Indoors
A record-setter in Sheffield last year, Tony O’Brien will look to carry over the form that saw him take the M50 British mile and 3000 records in the middle of summer, as well as pair of medals at the British Championships.
The current British M50 indoor record is entering its eighteenth year, sitting at 8:49.37 courtesy of Nigel Gates. However, the mark may be on borrowed time as O’Brien raced to a 8:47.60 in August of last year. With the tightly banked curves of an indoor track, it could be a close call come race day.
M60 World Record Holder in Sheffield
Guy Bracken is well acquainted with indoor records, holding 4 British and 1 European for endeavours over the past decade.
Only entering the M60 age group mid-December, Bracken has since taken more than two seconds off of Irishman Tommy Hughes’ previous world record with a 9:39.20 clocking, and could go faster in Sheffield.
Oxland Looks to Lead M70s
In addition to being BMAF Honorary Treasurer, David Oxland is a talented athlete, recently breaking the M70 800 record at Lee Valley in 2:33.32.
British champion outdoors in 2021 over both 800 and 5000, Oxland will look to take gold again in the M70s, where he faces off against fellow BMAF officer and incoming Chairman Peter Kennedy.
Matheson Looks to Add to W60 Record Haul
On the women’s side, the standout entry comes from Fiona Matheson in the W60 category. It was a clean sweep of W60 British records from 1500 through to 10000 on track for the Falkirk Victoria Harrier in 2021, with further record-breaking feats over 5K and 10K on the roads.
A member of Scottish Veteran Harriers, Matheson is likely to have one eye, or possibly even two on Angela Copson’s British record of 11:29.52, a time over 30 seconds slower than her record-setting 2021 time.
To look at a preview of the championship fields in the pentathlon, click here.
Entries Still Open
For those looking to get in on the action, entries are open until close of play January 11th.
