CORSHAM middle distance runner Jade Littlechild has leapt to third in the South West rankings for U17 women after smashing her personal best.

The 15-year-old Team Bath AC runner finished sixth in the 3,000m at the British Milers’ Club PB Classic meeting in Milton Keynes on Saturday as she lopped 10 seconds off her best with a time of 10mins 39.2secs.

It is easily the quickest time in Wiltshire this summer – no other U17 girl has broken 11 minutes – and continues her good start to the season, which has also seen Littlechild break her PB over 1,500m (4:56.69).

Training partner Sarah Wilson, who is also advised by Bradford on Avon coach Martin Rush, smashed her personal best by over seven seconds as she won the 1500m D race in a time of 4mins 5.26secs.

Her best time this summer had been 5:02.30 and this improvement moves her up to third in the South West rankings for U17 women.

There was also a PB of 2:01.5 for Marshfield-based runner Themis Bower in the 800m while in the 1500m steeplechase Hilperton twins Robert and John Howorth finished second and third respectively.

n FORMER Dauntsey’s School student Will Christofi continued his excellent season with a personal best of 1min 55.10secs to win the 800m B race for his club Bristol & West AC in the second British Men’s League match at Bedford on Saturday.

For good measure, Christofi also won the 1,500m A race in 3:54.09, thus ensuring maximum points in the club’s team victory.

The previous weekend he had improved his PB to 3:47.73 in Watford, so it has been a good seven days for the 21-year-old.

THE Team Bath Open meeting at Bath University next Wednesday (June 15) will be staging a 1,500m steeplechase for the first time.

Organiser Di Viles took the decision in response to requests from local coaches Adrian Clover and Martin Rush to provide their athletes and other west runners an opportunity to run.

“There is one race for U/17 and senior women and one race for U/17 and senior men,” said Viles.

“We are omitting the 3k and sprint hurdles to make way for the ’chase otherwise the rest of the programme is the same as last year, including three events for the U/11s.”

The meeting starts at 6.45pm with the 1,500m and hammer and concludes at 8.30pm with 300m and 400m sprints.

Entries will be taken on the night costing £4 per number for seniors, who can take part in any number of events and £3 for all other age groups – who are restricted to three events and the relay.

In field events attempts will be restricted to four apart from the high jump and pole vault. For details, contact Di Viles at brandythecat@hotmail.com.