A tremendous victory in the under-15 boys 800 metres final by Basildon AC's James Shane highlighted local performances in Birmingham's AAA Championships, sponsored by Shock Absorber.

Shane, a pupil at Billericay's Mayflower School, has rarely run this distance but has enjoyed a tremendous track season which included winning the English Schools 1,500 crown.

Here he led from the start in a quality field and resisted attempts to close him down on the final bend to win in a fine time of 1m.58.39s - his first occasion under two minutes and believed to be the second fastest in his age group in the country.

Earlier in the day Shane had to battle through heats and a semi-final to earn his chance to go for gold.

There were plenty of other outstanding performances by athletes from Basildon and Southend AC in the Championships, for U17s and 15s.

With the seaside club's star man Adam Hickey out on an enforced six-week break with a stress fracture of the foot, it was left to David Crichton and Mark Bailey to fly the flag in the U17 3,000.

Crichton enjoyed an amazing weekend. After lowering his personal best by eight seconds in the heats he reduced it by a similar amount in the final to take fourth spot in 8.52.48.

Bailey, just back from holiday, was sixth in 9.01.67.

Published Friday August 20, 2004

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