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British Veterans Indoor Championships


Report by: Martin Cunnane


27th February 1999 - NIA Birmingham



Wakefield had three representatives in the 19 British Veterans Indoor Athletics Championships, which were held at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.

Top performer on the day for the Harriers was British, European and World pole vault indoor record holder Jenny Cunnane who saw off the opposition in no uncertain terms to claim another UK veteran title in the 0-40 pole vault. Cunnane's best clearance of 3.00m was 20cms below her world record mark but set a new championship best performance for the event. Cunnane went on to add to her medal tally by taking silver in the shot putt behind Scottish and UK veteran champion Clare Cameron.

Dual world relay silver medallist Brian Shearsmith was mighty unlucky not to add to the Harriers haul after making the finals of both the 0-55 men's 60m and 200m events. Finishing a close up fifth in the 60m final after suffering from a slow start he was very unlucky to draw the inside lane and was never going to negotiate his 6ft 3in frame around the tight Birmingham bends. However, he still looked to hold a winning chance turning into the home straight but all the stride chopping on the bends had taken its toll and he finished a close-up fourth.

Terry Ridsdale finished fifth in his heat of the 0-55 men's 60m failing to progress further. He also finished fifth in his 200m after sustaining a thigh strain early on in the race.