Amy Hunt leads a world-class women’s 100m field in Birmingham, while Marcia Seay sets a championship record 12.65 in the sprint hurdles.
It is a measure of how well Amy Hunt has progressed as a sprinter that she felt her emphatic victory in the women’s 100m in Birmingham on Saturday night was not her best. “It was a little fragile,” he said.
Hunt clocked 11.01 (1.7) as she raced to the UK title with Dina Usher-Smith runner-up in 11.13 and Mabel Akande third in 11.18.
“It shows that our national championships are the best in the world,” Hunt said. “We have the best fans and the best athletes competing right now. Dina is one of the fastest on the circuit so I know I have to bring my A game when I come here. It was really good to get the win today.”
Usher-Smith hasn’t been at his best so far this season, although the second half of the season is where it really matters.
The British record holder said: “I’m really happy with 11.1 today. It’s been a weird couple of weeks for me, so I’m glad I ran a solid race and time. It showed me what I need to sharpen up on, but I’m really happy.
“Everything is coming together, I’m happy and I’m healthy and I’m in a good mental state to compete. Sometimes you just have to trust the process and stick with it. Most importantly, when you come here to perform, and it doesn’t have to go the way you want or want, you have to be able to see what you need to work on.
Marcia Seay broke Tiffany Porter’s 13-year-old championship record of 12.68 with a time of 12.65 in the women’s 100m hurdles.
It comes after the Blackheath & Bromley athlete crashed out in the final 12 months ago.
“It’s been a tough season to be honest,” he said. “I had an injury that prevented me from leaving the house and it took me a while to get back on my feet. I had a false start at the American regionals a few weeks ago, so I didn’t get to go to NCAAs, so it’s been a long time since I’ve overcome obstacles. To be honest, this result was a shock to me as well.”
Sey added: “Last year (at the British championships) I had an accident at the barrier so I didn’t finish the race. So this year I was like “stay patient, get out there and focus on what I need to do.” I am delighted with the result.
“I went into this meeting knowing I had to finish first and secure my place (for the Europeans) so I don’t have to worry about that for the rest of the season, so I’m over the moon to be lined up like that.”
Emma Nwofor was second in 12.90 and Alicia Barrett was third in 13.09.
