Although, due to injury of a couple of key athletes, Notts Athletics Club sent a smaller than usual contingent to British Masters Indoor Athletics Championships at the Lee Valley Stadium in Enfield, those who did attend were rewarded with a tally of 5 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze medals.
The most successful was Viv Oliver who won Gold medals in the 55-59 category in the 60 metres and 200 metres sprints, his time of 24.70 seconds in the latter event being a British indoor record. Dalton Powell, who competed in the 40-44 category won Silver in the 60 metres and Gold in the 200 metres and their younger team-mates in the 35-39 category, Mark Dunwell and James Douglas, took the Gold and Bronze respectively in the 60 metres. Nigel Winchcombe just failed to get a medal in the 45-49 category of the Shot Put, finishing 4th.
David Oxland, the Notts ACs club secretary , was the sole representative from the club at middle distance running. After just failing to get a medal in the 55-59 category at 1500 metres, he followed this up with the Gold in the 3000 metres.
David said “ Several of us will soon be going to Helsinki to compete in the European Indoor Veterans Championships and our success in the British Championships has given us a boost of confidence although we are under no illusions that the competition there will be very strong.”
David added “I did not start club running until 2003. I had no idea at that stage that I would be able to compete at British and even European level but the club has encouraged me and there are a fantastic group of coaches who give up their time for free to help us train on the Harvey Haddon track. Maybe others reading this will be encouraged to take up running or field events, whatever their age!”