Two University of Birmingham Sport (UBSport) alumni sprinted into the records books by retaining their national titles at the Aviva UK Trials and Championships at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium over the weekend of 29-31 July.
The dynamic duo cemented their reputation as Birmingham’s fastest couple having recently got engaged. Hannah’s time ensured her place on the GB time for the World’s but Luke will have to wait to see if he will joining Hannah on the flight to Daegu as he has yet to achieve the qualifying standard.
Biochemistry graduate Hannah use her speed to push across the line in first in the women’s 1500m clocking 4:07.05. The result means that Hannah has booked her seat on the plane to the World Championships from 27 August – 4 September in Daegu, South Korea.
Speaking after the race the ecstatic UBSport graduate scholar said: ‘I was delighted to defend my British title this weekend, but was made all the better by Luke doing the same. I have been fighting injury this spring which has been hard emotionally and physically, but worth it all to go the World Championships. It has been great to train at the University for another year and I am grateful for the continued support of UBSport.’
Sport and Material Sciences graduate Luke retained his UK Steeplechase Champion crown for the third consecutive year by running the course in a fantastic 8:40.16. The race brought a double celebration for UBSport as 2011 Sport and Exercise Science graduate James Wilkinson chased Luke to finish second, scoring a personal best (PB) of 8.42.86 in the process.
Luke, who is now the UBSport Scholarship Manager said: ‘I am delighted to be the National Champion again and three in a row is something truly special, definitely one of my finest achievements to date. Plus the fact that Hannah and I both successfully defended the titles we won last year just made for an incredible weekend.
‘I was pretty concerned about James Wilkinson this year as he has been vastly improving and knew he would push me all the way. He was more than deserving of his silver medal, and it was great to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an UBSport 1-2 on the podium.’
Speaking of the next competition Luke said: ‘I now have one week to try and run the World Championship A or B standard, which sit at 8.23.1 and 8.32 respectively, to give myself any chance of joining Hannah on Team GB in Daegu, South Korea later this month.
‘I have been given a place in the Aviva Grand Prix at Crystal Palace this Friday, where I will give everything I can to earn my place in the team.’
Julian Adeniran, 5th, 110m Hurdles, 13.97 (2010 Law graduate and 2010-11 Vice-President for Sport)
Gemma Bennet, 3rd, 100m Hurdles, 13.19 (2006 graduate)
Nick Cruchley, 2nd, Pole Vault, 5.35 (Final year Sport and Material Science)
Tom Doe, 5th, Steeplechase, 8.51 (PB) (2007 graduate)
Sinaede Gutzmore, 4th, Triple Jump, 12.97 (2009 graduate)
Louise Hazel, 4th, 100m Hurdles, 13.32 has A standard for Worlds in Heptathlon already (2009 graduate)
Lauren Howarth, 4th, 5,000m, 15.59 (Fourth year Medicine)