Chichester under-16s shine in national relay championships

Now in its third year since its re-inception in 2024, the event was held at Birmingham over the weekend – and Chichester’s under-16 boys were invited to compete in the 4x300m event.

There was just one of the team back in action from the time they first competed as under-15s in the inaugural event in 2024 – with Ivo Edgar being joined by Reuben Shewan, Joe Stewart and Max Gayle for this year’s inaugural under-16 race, following age group changes brought in by England Athletics.

With just 16 teams invited for the event, Chichester found themselves in the A final, a somewhat daunting prospect as they were the slowest on paper.

It was Shewan who was given the responsibility of the opening leg, made all the more difficult being our in lane nine. The multi-eventer stuck to his task and handed over in a close 6th place with south coast rivals Dorset holding a narrow lead over powerhouses Birchfield and Liverpool Harriers.

Joe Stewart continued the good work on leg two and with a slick baton change to Max Gayle, Chichester were up into 5th and incredibly ahead of the likes of Woodford Green and Reading.

The responsibility of the final leg fell to Edgar, who used all his experience to fight a fast-finishing Guildford runner to cross the line in 5th, Chichester’s best ever result at this event.

Only Croydon in the B final eclipsed Chichester’s time of 2.33.79 for the total of 1200m and there was further delight for the team as well as for coaches Will Broom and Charlie Roe who had prepared the athletes for the competition.

When looking at the rankings, the fastest time of any Sussex club was set by Brighton & Hove earlier in the season at 2.35.43 – so Chichester had smashed the county record by well over a second, a fine reward for all their hard work.

They are looking forward to the Sussex U16 Grand Final on September 6, when they will resume rivalry with both Brighton and Eastbourne Rovers who also acquitted themselves well in the B final at Birmingham.