BMC GP kicks off in Manchester
Fresh from his BUCS Champs 800m victory, Jake Wightman sets his sights on the 1500m at the opening British Milers’ Club Grand Prix of 2016 in Manchester on Saturday (May 14).
The 21-year-old showed good form to win the 800m at Bedford in 1:48.04, which is his fourth fastest at the distance and close to his PB of 1:47.36 set in Solihull last year.
With a big season ahead he has declared a target of 3:36, putting him within touching distance of his PB of 3:35.49.
Other runners chasing 3:40 or quicker include Jonathan Davies (PB 3:44.53), Tom Marshall (PB 3:41.15), Steve Mitchell (PB 3:38.27) and Dan Studley (PB 3:43.64).
Other interesting names registered include Eoin Everad of Ireland (PB 3:39.64), Italian Francois Marzetta and former GB No.1 Andy Baddeley.
The most intriguing women’s race looks like the 800m, with world and European medallist Jenny Meadows and 2011 world 1500m medallist Hannah England among the entries, plus Ireland’s Cheltenham-based Rose-Anne Galligan, Katy Brown and Katie Snowden.
Among women’s 1500m entries are Charlene Thomas and Melissa Courtney, both targeting 4:07, plus Jess Judd, Madeleine Murray, Claire Tarplee and junior Sabrina Sinha.
The men’s 800m entries include Jamie Webb, while Anthony Whiteman, 44, is aiming to break 1:50 again in his remarkable career.
A group of women are chasing 15:40 in the 5000m led by Elle Vernon, Ireland’s Deidre Byrne, Emma Clayton, Jess Coulson and Pippa Woolven. Bobby Clay, Phoebe Law and Erin Wallace are among 3000m entries.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 5000m, Charlie Hulson will surely rewrite his current best of 14:24.20, while Andy Maud and Adam Hickey are also among those set to line up.
The event timetable and start lists can be found here.
