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Question? Was this last weekend one of the most important weekends ever in the history of our club?

Monday 20th July 2015

In Glasgow Archie Davis came second over 800m in the Schools international running for England Schools.

At the European Junior Championships our two athletes representing GB both ran with courage and determination. Spencer Thomas just missed out on a place in the 800m final after winning his heat and coming 3rd in his semi final. In both his races he ran intelligently and courageously leading into the last 200m.

Robbie Fitzgibbon had to run his second fastest ever 1500m to make the final as a fastest loser and then he decisively and with such courage took up the racing from a way out and nearly won the final. In the end he came 5th just a second off gold which is the best position ever in these championships by a Phoenix athlete. Steve Ovett won the 800m back when he was a member of Brighton and Hove but Robbie's placing was better than the current Uk Champion Charlie Grice ran and also better than World Junior silver medallist Johan Boakes and former UK champ and a world age group record breaker Bridget Smyth finished in all their Euro Juniors.....not bad Mr Fitzgibbon sir!

Meanwhile across the world in Colombia Toby Harries made it through a heat and a semi at the World Youth Championships to carry the GB vest home in 6th place in the 200m final and to become the only Sussex athlete (at whatever age group) to run under 21 seconds for the distance......so club and county records for Toby from all age groups U17 to Seniors....despite what it may say on the Sussex website!

And back in Europe Charlie Grice ran a new 1500m pb in Holland which was also a qualifying mark for this years World Championships and next years Olympic Games! No club record though Charlie!

So bearing in mind how young all these athletes are I'll just ask that question again...Was this last weekend one of the most important weekends ever in the history of our club?

Answer....yes it was!......SO FAR

Hats off to the Fantastic Phoenix Five!