Allen off to great start

ANSTON athlete Jade Allen has begun her season in fine style with silver at the Yorkshire 1,500m Championships in Barnsley and a win at the Sheffield Festival of Athletics.

Her victory in Sheffield in the 1,500m came in a personal best time of 4:43, and was followed by a double win in the Northern League 800m (2:14) and 400m (59.4) at Derby.

A third place finish at the British Milers Club Open in Manchester set the 22-year-old athlete up to challenge a strong field at the Yorkshire Championships, and in a very tactical race Allen was just edged out of the gold in the last 100m by Otley’s Rachael Bamford.

Rotherham Harriers star Allen will now focus on next month’s Northern and UK Championships with qualification for the Olympic trials the main target.