Ray proves it’s never too late to start

With its unusually late position in the season, I missed the British Masters track & Field championships from the weekend preview but the clubs masters athletes were in fine form at Birmingham over the weekend. The story of the championships came from Ray Hall.  Most of our Masters athletes have a history in track & field dating back to when they were younger but Ray took up track & field in the spring at the age of 76!  Ray, who was born before the second world war started felt he could still run quite quickly and following a couple of conversations last Autumn was put in touch with over 70's masters sprinter Vic Novell who became Ray's training partner and mentor.  Following a winters training Ray took part in his first athletics event in March by competing in an open meeting in Portsmouth and also competed in a couple of the Southern Counties vets league matches over the Summer for the clubs excellent masters team.  Fast forward to the weekend and 77 year old Ray took bronze in the British over 75's mens 100m at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday and followed this up with 4th place in the mens over 75's shot putt. Good on you, sir. Elsewhere in Birmingham over the weekend, Mark Collins was 5th in the over 40's mens 100m and 200m.  Vic Novell did the over 70's men sprint double winning both 100m & 200m.  Becky Mulley wwas 2nd in the over 35 womens triple jump and was 4th in the long jump and 5th in the b final of the 100m in the same age group.  Jon Tilt completed the 400m flat and 400m hurdles double winning both in the mens over 50 age group and Jon was also 4th in his 200m heat in the same age group.  Tracy Bezance was another athlete completing a double winning both the over 50's womens 200m & 400m races.  Ed Connolly was 3rd in the over 65 mens 800m.  Del Warn was 3rd in the over 50 mens long jump, leaping to a lifetime best no less, at the age of 50.    Mike Ferne was 3rd in the over 65 mens discus. Congratulations to all our magnificent masters but especially to Ray who is living proof that it is never too late to start. Full results below. BMAFtfc2016 results-1