Zoey lands silver in 4x400m relay as Andy finishes seventh in 3000m

Sunday 7th March 2021

Medal moment for Zoey Clark (on right) with Jodie Williams, Jessie Knight and Ama Pipi in Poland (photo courtesy of European Athletics)

Results from Poland

Zoey Clark landed a silver medal with GB and NI in the Women’s 4x400m Relay at the European Indoors in Poland.

Holland won the title with a Championship Record run of 3:27.15 but the British quartet could be delighted with their second place after strong performances by all four athletes.

GB and NI duly clocked 3:28.20 with home favourites Poland coming home to land the bronze medals in Torun in 3:29.94.

It was a thrilling race as evidenced with Italy and Ukraine, in fourth and fifth, setting National Records.

Clark, of course, has won a string of relay medals at European and global level over the past few years and her record in those terms is now even more impressive.

And what a run she came up with 51.83 her split to give GB and NI a real platform to contest victory.

Zoey handed over to individual 400m bronze medallist, Jodie Williams, on the second leg. Ama Pipi then took it on for GB and NI before Jessie Knight closed out on the anchor leg run.

‘It was so exciting,’ said Zoey.

‘Seeing everyone compete throughout the championships has really given me the buzz to get going. It was a really nice atmosphere and it was nice to be back running at a championship again.

‘I knew it was going to be fast with (Dutch athlete) Lieke Klaver on the outside. I knew she was going to go quick, so I just wanted to keep pace with her and make sure she didn’t get away from me, so I could set the girls up well.’

Well done to Zoey and her family and coach Eddie McKenna on another fine performance on the international stage from the Aberdeen AAC athlete.

Women’s splits from the 4x400m : @_ZoeyClark 51.83!, @Jodiealicia27 52.17, Ama Pipi 52.62, @Jessie_Knight 51.58.

— Ian Hodge (@IanHodge7) March 7, 2021

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Photo via European Athletics

Andy Butchart finished in 7th place in Poland in the European Indoors final this afternoon.

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen added the 3000m title to his 1500m win on Friday with a strong run.

Andy clocked 7:52.15 today and finished a couple of places ahead of his GB and NI team-mate, Jack Rowe.

Well done to the Central AC athlete and his family and coaching team on competing in another European final.

Andy, however, was brutally honest with his post-race assessment, feeling he didn’t do himself justice on this occasion.

‘Firstly, it wasn’t good enough,’ he told British Athletics in Torun.

‘It was a really odd race in terms of there was just no space. I don’t know what the tactics were. When the move went, I just wasn’t able to react and then when they get a jump on you, that’s it, it’s done.

‘It’s back to the drawing board. It’s good to be on the team and make a European final again and be in the top eight, but I want to be in the medals and today was just not good enough, so it’s onto the next one.’

Guy wins his 800m heat on Friday evening at Torun (photo via European Athletics)

Guy Learmonth missed out on a final place as he finished fourth in his semi-final on Saturday evening.

After a strong run to win his heat the previous day, Guy had been hopeful of progress despite a tough qualification process which ensured only the top two in each semi would progress.

Guy couldn’t quite get in touch with the leaders during the last lap and came home in fourth in 1:47.92 with the top four all 1:47 runs.

‘I wanted to be up near the front straight away,’ he told British Athletics.

‘The first 150m to 200m wasn’t where I wanted it to be and the race wasn’t what I expected. It’s very frustrating. I’ve prepared for everything, but I’ve been caught out today, so I’m disappointed in myself. We’ll just have to move on now onto the outdoors.

‘I opened up with an indoor PB straight away. I wanted to go on and run quicker indoors, but it hasn’t really materialised in the few races that I’ve had. Hopefully I can get a consistent outdoor season and run some quick times.

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Tags: Andy Butchart, European Indoors, Guy Learmonth, Torun 21, Zoey Clark