VALE Royal Athletics Club runners took titles at the weekend that earned for them a chance to represent their country at the Manchester International.
Chris Perry and Jacob Brown both returned home with a gold medal from the England Senior Championships as a reward for sprint finishes in their respective finals.
“A double at an event like that is something we never thought we’d see,” said Shaun McGrath, one of the duo’s coaches.
“It was a brilliant moment for the club.”
On Saturday, Perry’s patience was rewarded during men’s 3,000m steeplechase final that started at a pedestrian pace.
Daniel Eckersley surged to the front after 1km, and led at the bell, before appearing as a favourite to prevail following the water jump.
However Perry, 28, who had kept in touch with those in front throughout, waited until the final barrier to make a decisive move and power to the line in 9:13.95.
It was a similar story on Sunday, again in blustery conditions, when 20-year-old Brown and his rivals in the Emsley Carr Mile took 76.7s to complete the first 400m.
They waited until the closing stages to accelerate, although the Vale Royal man’s sprint to the line was best and he took the title in 4:33.01.
Wow... two victories at the @EnglandAthletic champs. @cjperry01 in the 3k sc and @jacobbrown97 in the mile! Both have been selected to represent England at the Manchester international! Great achievement! Legends!🏴🙌🏼
— VRAC Endurance (@VRACendurance) July 30, 2018
McGrath said: “The times look slow, but it’s who crosses the line first that matters in races like that.
“The wind and rain made it difficult, but Chris and Jacob just bided their time until it was the right moment to pounce.
“They’re both bright guys, and showed as much.”
As victors in their category at an event that also incorporated the UK CAU Inter-Counties Track and Field Championships, they will be part of England’s team for the Manchester International later this month.
An annual invitational held at the Manchester Regional Arena, they take on rivals from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ulster and Great Britain under 20s among others.
Meanwhile Emily Lowery, also of Vale Royal, was selected for an England North team for last week’s Welsh Under 20s International in Swansea.
The Sir John Deane’s College student, a finalist at the English Schools’ Championships, was fourth in the women’s 1,500m after timing 4:37.14.
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