North Down AC had a club record number of 7 athletes competing in the athletics programme of the 2013 Sainsbury’s School Games which took place on Saturday and Sunday at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. Though none could be said to have been close to the podium, all acquitted themselves well and were close to the level they have competed at throughout the season. This, despite very poor conditions (cold, wet, strong blustery wind) and being well out of the local season.
It is a condition of the Sainsbury’s School Games that in the athletics programme, athletes may only compete in one event. On Saturday Mark Burton was 6th at triple jump with 12.95m (+2.0), Sarah Connolly was 8th at 80m hurdles in 12.40 sec (-1.6), Elleana Hamilford Hull was 8th at 200m in 26.65 sec (+0.8) and the 4 x 300m girls relay which included Chloe Johnston was 8th in 2 min 54.36 sec.
On Sunday Chris Jordan was 7th at 200m in 22.92 sec (+2.8), Alex Catherwood was 7th at high jump with 1.55m and Aaron Corbett was 8th at long jump with 5.25m (+2.1).
The Sainsbury’s School Games is a multi sport event over 5 days which aims to replicate the Olympic and Paralympic experience for selected U17 athletes from across the UK.