SPRINTERS ON FIRE!

To say it has been a positive start to the 2018 summer season appears to be something of an understatement, after lifetime bests were shattered at Lee Valley last might (May 23rd)!

They may have had positive wind readings on their tail, but with major championships still a few weeks away, Trackspeed1-UK athletes competing in a Lee Valley Athletics Centre Open meet underlined just the sort of 'on fire' form they are in right now.

Brandon Murray - in form of his life at Lee Valley

Brandon Murray, who was forced to pull out of the Loughborough International on Sunday (May 20th) at the last minute due to work commitments, made amends by clocking his fastest 100 metres of his life by far of 10.62 seconds.

That was in race 3 while, in race 2, Dean Hylton clocked a windy 10.54 seconds, most notable as he out-dipped England and Senegal international Josh Swaray, who has times below 10.3 to his name, and was also ahead of former inter-counties champion Jonathan Browne.

Rhys Francis, Daryl Thomas and Chaka Maillet were also circling their best ever 100m sprint times, but will have to wit until another day to record a wind-legal time but, as their coach, John Powell, commented, all the indications are that they are all ready to improve significantly this season.

"These were really good performances at a time in the season where confidence is all important," he said.  "We have a while yet before the big meets, but to get a couple of really good performances under your belt at this stage is always a very good springboard."

This weekend shows no competition for the squad, and so they will be looking to further improve their potential with some training sessions at their training base at Crystal Palace.

That said, Welsh international Cameron Starr opens his account over 200 metres tonight (May 24th) at Portsmouth, where he will be looking to emulate his training group's successes 24 hours earlier.

Welsh international Cameron Starr opens his 2018
account over 200m in Portsmouth tonight (May 24th)