ELLINGTON'S SCORCHER SETS SEASON ABLAZE!

Trackspeed1 sprinter James Ellington went from international to world class as he soared to a blistering 10.12 second 100 metre sprint in the Loughborough University International meeting today (Sunday 22nd).

James Ellington (right in red and white of England) finishes
2 hundredths of a second behind Harry Aikines Aryeetey,
 at Loughborough, in a world class 10.12 seconds

It was a performance of sheer class that took the 25-year-old Newham and Essex Beagles ace into the realms of the elite in one classy burst of action, despite a little bit of help from a 3.4m/s following wind.  His previous fastest ever over the distance in a career that has already spanned 12 years, was 10.23s, set in Geneva last year, when he tore a hamstring which nearly ended his career.

The Loughborough race marked the completion of an outstanding comeback from that desperate day when the future had looked so bleak.  Now, James can potentially look forward to his best ever season, although coach John Powell was quick to add words of caution:

"It was a fantastic performance by James," he said, "and a massive breakthrough mentally as much as anything else.  But it's early days and we can't get carried away, even though it was pretty tempting to scream from the rooftops when I heard his time!"

Ellington was beaten in the race by former World Junior Champion Harry Aikines Aryeetey, who edged home in front in 10.10s, although James was annoyed he didn't take the race himself:

"I tightened up over the last 10 metres when all I had to do was keep running, and I would have beaten him," he said, "but that's fine - I know now the sort of form I'm in - the best of my life - and this has been a great confidence booster."

Ellington, representing the England national team, was drawn in lane five right next-door to junior training partner David Bolarinwa, who was representing British Juniors.  David, the fastest under-18 in the world last year over the distance, also ran the fastest time of his life thanks to the following wind, timing 10.32s.

"It was a strange environment for David," said John Powell, "because he's used to being in front or more or less in front as a junior.  But here he had the unique experience of coping with international level seniors, and he dealt with it really well, although his blocks need some work still."

Ellington's run took him across the line ahead of top sprints names including Marlon Devonish and Craig Pickering, with Bolarinwa fifth in the same race.

The 200m races were not quite as kind to Trackspeed1 athletes, although Jason Hussain bettered his season's best time by a hundredth of a second with a 21.45s effort from lane eight, while Lawrence Wooldridge slipped to a disappointing 21.81s in his race.

"It's still early days," said John Powell, "and inconsistent performances are not uncommon.  It's just important that, if you don't perform as well as you hoped, you take the positives from the race, and then put it away and move on.  The squad is in great shape this year, and I know there are going to be alot more terrific breakthroughs."

In separate league matches, Powell's words were already coming true, as Kieran Daley and Jack Miller both posted lifetime best performances in the 200m.