Harriet Represents Berkshire at English Schools Championships

Team Kennet athlete Harriet Saunders produced an outstanding performance while representing Berkshire Schools at the English Schools Athletics Association Track and Field Championships last weekend.

Competing in the Junior Girls 1500m for the second consecutive year, Harriet arrived at the championships following another injury-disrupted build-up. Her main target was simply to progress through Friday’s heats and secure a place in the final.

The heats came at the end of a long and extremely hot day, but Harriet raced sensibly and placed herself within the leading group from the start.

As the athletes entered the final lap, six runners began to pull clear. Knowing that the first six would automatically qualify, Harriet remained composed and crossed the line in fifth place to secure her place in Saturday’s final.

The high temperatures continued into the following day, with Harriet again having to wait until late in the programme to compete. When the final began, the two pre-race favourites quickly pushed the pace at the front, while Harriet settled into the chasing group.

With two laps remaining, Harriet was still involved in the battle for the bronze medal. Although she could not quite maintain contact with the medal contenders over the closing stages, she continued to fight all the way to the finish.

Harriet crossed the line in an excellent seventh place nationally, a result well beyond what she had hoped to achieve going into the championships.

It was a superb performance on the national stage and a fantastic reward for Harriet’s determination after a difficult preparation.

Credit: Richard Saunders