Record highs on day 1 at Sainsbury's Indoor British Championships

The world’s top ranked heptathlete of 2014 Katarina Johnson-Thompson and the world’s top junior multi-eventer, Morgan Lake, gave the Sheffield crowds plenty to cheer about on the first day of competition at the 2015 Sainsbury’s Indoor British Championships on Saturday 14 February.

In a thrilling high jump competition, it was Johnson-Thompson who came out on top, safely retaining the title she won twelve months ago with a first time clearance of 1.97m, a new British record.

Lake, the world junior high jump champion, set a new British indoor junior record at the EIS venue, clearing 1.94m for silver, enough to secure a place alongside Johnson-Thompson in the GB & NI team for the European Indoor Championships in Prague next month. Both athletes may of course opt to compete in the pentathlon.

“I’m glad to jump a PB but I can’t believe I’m a little disappointed to jump 1.97m,” said Johnson-Thompson.

“I’m glad to jump it on the first attempt though with space. I think it is the big 2.00m on the board which puts you off a little bit. It’s been a while since I’ve done the high jump so it’s good to get into competition.”

In the distance events, Lee Emanuel (handicap -4.7) lived up to his bidding as the fastest going in to the men’s 3,000m final, hitting the front with 100m to go. The 30-year-old sprinted home in 8:03.92, even finding time to celebrate as he crossed the line.

“Winning the British Championships is brilliant – that’s what I came to do so it is a bit of a relief. The time was irrelevant as I ran the qualifying standard last week so I just wanted to win. I ran tactically and aimed to run the last 1km hard.”

In the 800m heats, USA athlete Samuel Ellison and Paul Goodall (handicap -4.8) both clocked 1:52.12 but it’s Ellison who goes through to Sunday’s final. 2014 silver medallist Guy Learmonth (handicap -5.3) was the fastest qualifier in 1:49.78. He won heat two and knocked 0.2 off his handicap score. Guy was in 12th on the National Ladder but will now find himself in the top ten after this performance. Mukhtar Mohammed (handicap -4.0) won the final heat.

Seven-time British champion Jenny Meadows (handicap -1.5) lay down her marker in the women’s 800m heats, quickly pulling well clear of the field in heat one to qualify in 2:04.56. The 33-year-old British record holder has kicked off the year in superb form, leading the world rankings, and will provide tough competition for her fellow finalists. This performance will move Jenny from 3rd into joint 2nd on the women's National Ladder.

“I really feel in the shape of my life,” said Meadows.

“I’ve had a good solid winter of training and today I felt brilliant. I was quite shocked to start off so quickly but I took my foot off the gas near the end and enjoyed myself.”

In the men’s 1,500m Charlie Grice (handicap -4.9) and Steve Mitchell (handicap -4.6) won their heats, whilst in the women’s event, Laura Muir (handicap -1.5)l and Alison Leonard (handicap -0.2) both came out on top in their qualifiers.Laura is in joint 2nd with Jenny Meadows on the National Ladder.

At the halfway point, Shaftesbury Barnet & Birchfield Harriers lead the men’s and women’s Club:Connect competition, by virtue of each top eight athlete picking up points.

Full results can be found here: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/sainsburys-indoor-british-champs/athlete-information/

Sainsbury’s is proud to be a long-term supporter of British Athletics and a champion of inclusive sport for all, from grassroots to elite level.