Tom Jones Memorial, Gainesville, Florida, 15-16 April

Matthew Hudson-Smith (Lance Brauman) produced his fastest time over 400m since 2018, the year he became European champion, to set a world qualifier of 44.82. It was the Birchfield Harriers’ fastest ever season opener and the quickest time by a British man over the distance since 2018.

Elsewhere, Charlie Dobson (Benke Blomkvist, Colchester) moved to joint 11^th with Marlon Devonish on the UK all-time list over 200m after clocking 20.19 (0.9) after a storming run. The 21-year-old Futures Academy athlete won the race in convincing fashion, and it also coupled as a World Championships qualifying standard.

In the women’s 200m and 400m, Lina Nielsen (Shaftesbury Barnet) revised her PBs across the two days of competition. On the Friday, she lowered her half lap time of 23.11 (0.6) and then returned the following day to take over a second off her 400m lifetime best, posting a time of 51.54 to take the UK lead and secure a European Championships qualifying standard.

Alastair Chalmers (Matt Elias, Guernsey) topped the men’s 400m hurdles UK 2022 rankings after posting a time of 49.72 in Florida, while Joe Brier (Matt Elias, Swansea) went inside the Welsh Commonwealth Games standard with a time of 45.74 over 400m.

Results

Mt. SAC Relays – World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, Walnut, California, 13-16 April

Nicholas Percy (Zane Duquemin, Shaftesbury Barnet) broke the Scottish record in the men’s discus as he improved his personal best to 63.47m – he held the previous record (63.38m – 2016).

On the track, there was a European qualifying standard for Jess Judd (Mick Judd, Blackburn) in the women’s 5000m as she recorded a time of 15:11.72.

Elsewhere, Alex Haydock-Wilson (Benke Blomkvist, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow) was close to his PB as he ran 45.70 over 400m, and Cindy Sember (Woodford Green Essex Ladies) was another athlete making a strong start to the season as she clocked 12.63 (0.8) in the women’s 100m hurdles to bag a Worlds qualifying standard.

Results

The Boston Marathon, USA, 18 April

Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau, Aldershot Farnham and District), who will race the marathon at the World Athletics Championships this summer, finished ninth in Boston in a time of 2:25.26.

It is the second quickest time of her career after her PB of 2:23.26 which she set in London last year.

In the men’s T53/54 wheelchair marathon, Johnboy Smith (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District) was third in a time of 1:32.55, just six seconds behind second placer Aaron Pike (USA). Daniel Romanchuk (USA) won in a time of 1:26.58.

Shelly Woods (Peter Wyman, Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde) was sixth in the women’s equivalent in a time of 1:56.18 – the race was won by Paralympic champion Manuela Schar (SUI) in 1:41.08.

Results

Kennesaw State Invitational, Kennesaw GA, USA, 15-16 April

Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Steve Fudge, Sutton & District) improved her 200m personal best and recorded a season best over 100m out in America.

The Olympic relay medallist won the 100m in 11.36 (-1.0) having lowered her best over 200m a day prior to 23.26 (1.6).

Results

Bryan Clay Invitational, Azusa CA, USA, 13-15 Apr 22

Thomas Staines (Matthew Morris) ran a superb time of 1:45.28 to go to the top of the men’s 800m ranking for 2022. It was also a personal best for the Basingstoke and Mid Hants athlete whose previous best stood at 1:45.57 from 2018.

In second place in the race, there was also a big improvement by Reece Sharman-Newell (Dave Ragan, Basingstoke and Mid Hants) who improved his best time to 1:45.56 – his previous best stood at 1:47.16 set a few weeks ago.

Elise Thorner (Wells City) was narrowly outside the European Championships qualifying standard in the women’s 3000m steeplechase after posting a time of 9:40.98 (standard – 9:39.00). However, it did move her to the top of the 2022 UK rankings in the event.

Meanwhile, in the men’s decathlon Sam Talbot (John Lane, Sheffield and Dearne) moved to the top of the 2022 UK rankings after securing a personal best points tally of 7643. He did so after PBs in the 400m (48.92), 110m hurdles (14.28 (2.4 w), shot put (13.96m), discus (39.72m) and javelin (56.34m).

Results