Early chance to get on track in Portsmouth

City of Portsmouth are hosting the event at the Royal Navy Victory Stadium, Burnaby Road.

It is an early chance for athletes to put down a marker after the winter training.

Track events at the venue take place from 100m to 3,000m with field events including the shot, long jump and high jump.

Registration starts from 5pm with entries being taken on the night.

With league matches taking place early next month it is important for all the athletes to get a run out.

A number of the club athletes will be going into the meeting after excellent indoor campaigns, including 400m runner Harry Pocock and Gaia Osborne, who earned an under-17 national bronze medal in the shot put.

Others are starting their transition from starring in the cross-country races over the winter.

City chairman Phil Budd is looking forward to some exciting competition.

He said: ‘It’s a chance to get an early feel of how the training is going in regards to track and field.

‘Early next month we have the first league track and field events taking place.

‘Some of our youngsters have been doing exceptionally well indoors so we are really keen to see how they go outdoors.

‘Most of the other athletes are still digging the mud off their spikes from the cross-country season.

‘The meeting has coincided with Easter so that may affect numbers but we have around 100 athletes pre-registered and there are entries on the night.

‘One of our indoor national champions Serena Vincent is on holiday so she won’t be taking part unfortunately.

‘We have Gaia, who is a national bronze medallist indoors, throwing the shot.

‘One of our young sprinters Amelia Spry ran well in Bournemouth last weekend.

‘She will be in action again and there is a lot more to come from her.

‘Harry Pocock will also be looking to have a blast around the 400m after some good indoor running and winter training.’

The switch to the Royal Navy Stadium from the Mountbatten Centre means the longer throws can’t take place.

But it will be a good night of competition with the first event at 6pm and entries for later events taken up to 7pm.