Muller British Champs (Friday) – Alisha on form and five progress to 1500m finals

Friday 24th June 2022

Alisha Rees on her way to that 11.32 windy run in Manchester (photo by Getty Images for British Athletics)

Alisha Rees came up with a very fine run in her opening 100m race at the Muller British Champs – as she clocked 11.32 for second to progress to the semis.

That would have been a new Scottish Record for Alisha but for a +2.4m wind reading. Nonetheless, it’s the fastest time posted by a Scottish woman in all conditions (with Sandra Whittaker and Alisha herself at 11.34w previously.

Alyson Bell of Giffnock North and Sarah Malone of Edinburgh Ac progressed to the semi-finals, as well, while Orkney’s Taylah Spence clocked a PB at 11.86.

That was fine running indeed from Scottish women in the sprints and in the Men’s 100m there was progress to the semis for Adam Thomas (10.20) and Krishawn Aiken, with a PB of 10.34.

And there was good news in the 400m as Zoey Clark and Nicole Yeargin safely made it through to the final.

In the 1500m heats, there were wins for all three top Scots as Josh Kerr, Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman posted race victories to make Saturday’s final.

Laura Muir followed that up with a spectacular solo run to secure her place in the 1500m final. Megan Davies joined her after second place in her heat.

Neil summed up the Men’s 1500 scrap for World Championship selection.

‘It is great to run in this kind of environment with such a stacked field as we have in the final tomorrow,’ said the Giffnock North AC athlete.

‘There is a lot of talent in the British team and it is a shame someone will miss out in the worlds team but that shows the level of competition and I thrive on it. The hard days of training are all for these moments.’

Photos by Getty Images for British Athletics

No stopping her! ?@lauramuiruns cruises into the final of the women's 1500m with the fastest time!#MullerUKChamps results ?? https://t.co/7ZGm6WWJkG
Live stream ?? https://t.co/6ZFyKbN6LQ pic.twitter.com/Ky61XZcMQx

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) June 24, 2022