Prior to the IAAF Diamond League events getting underway at the Müller Anniversary Games last weekend, young athletes were able to represent their athletics clubs in the newly rebranded Club:Connect relays; a campaign that brings community athletics together with the elite end of the sport.

On Sunday morning at the London Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, teams from the age-groups under-13s through to under-20s ran 4x100m relays, with the winners of each race claiming £250 for their club.

This year at the Müller Anniversary Games, the crowd saw the best performances yet from the next generation of athletes, with multiple personal and seasons best, and an incredible national club record.

The under 13’s kicked off the day with six out of nine teams setting personal bests and Reading AC edging the win for the girls, whilst also clocking the fastest time this year in 52.08. Shaftesbury Barnet also claimed the fastest title in their age group for 2019 with a season’s best of 50.60 in the boys equivalent.

Croydon Harriers’ under-15 girls narrowly took the win over Shaftesbury Barnet, clocking 48.67 to take a season’s best, whilst Havering AC boys went on to finish first with a personal best of 44.82.

In a thrilling race, Shaftesbury Barnet’s time of 42.01 edged the win, with Croydon Harriers crossing the line on 42.11 and Blackheath and Bromley on 42.21, in a nail-biting finish. The girls race saw Blackheath and Bromley take the win on 47.61.

However, two spectacular showdowns took place in the under-20 races. Shaftesbury and Barnet clocked a personal best with 46.31 in the women’s race, as did Croydon Harriers, who ran a blistering 40.63 to also set a national club record in the men’s 4x100m.

Afterwards, Croyden Harriers said: “We felt really good today. We were aiming for a record, so it is amazing to have got it. Our changes were great; it was really smooth. It’s the best we’ve ever ran it and we’re so happy the training has paid off.”

On the Saturday of the Müller Anniversary Games, London youngsters took to the track to run in the inaugural London Borough Connect Relays, with local schools battling for victory over three distances; 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m.

The under-11’s mixed 4x100m started the day with Beam County Primary running a winning time of 54.77. This was followed by Eastbury Community School taking the win for the mixed under-13’s, clocking 52.08. The under-15 girls’ 4x200m had Bower Park Academy take the win on 1:46.85, whilst Grey Court School finished first in the 4x400m under-17 mixed relays on 3:29.16.

Results