​Young Harriers Launch Their YDL Campaign on Home Turf

Lower YDL Match 1: 3rd May 2026 @Robin Park Arena

The 2026 Lower YDL season got underway on 3rd May, and there was no better place to begin than our own Robin Park Arena. Competing on home turf gave the perfect platform for some of our newest members to experience league competition for the first time, while our more seasoned young athletes had the chance to put their hard-earned training into action. From first-event nerves to confident, polished performances, the day captured everything we love about youth athletics - energy, effort, and the excitement of seeing potential turn into progress.

Results round up below:

U16 Boys

Sprints and hurdles

Lucas Shaw and Max Margerison took on the 100m and 200m sprint races. In the 100m, Lucas ran 13.0s for 6th in the A race, whilst the B race brought a moment of real character. Max, in his competition debut, burst off the line with such enthusiasm that it led to a tremendous fall. But what was ultra impressive is that he picked himself up, composed himself and finished the race (17.60 – 4th). Max – if you can overcome that on your first outing, then nothing in the future should faze you. And Max’s resilience didn’t go unnoticed - we even received positive feedback from other clubs regarding how well Max handled himself. Well done – true warrior! Lucas finished the 200m just outside of his PB (26.30s) for 4th, with Max also 4th in the B race (28.10s). Evan Barnett ran 13.4s as a non-scorer in the 100m.

James Darby ran a PB of 39.40s for 4th in the 300m, securing the England National Championships entry standard – great work! Meanwhile, multi-eventer Sam Hodgkinson (who to clarify – is NOT Keely’s brother (lol)), ran a fantastic 15.10s in the 100m hurdles for the win.

Distance

It was a PB for Matthew Trevor in the 800m for 3rd place (02:14.70), with a 4th place finish for Joshua Waide in the 1500m (05:46.40).

Jumps and Throws

A busy day for Sam as he won both the high jump (1.70m) and the pole vault (2.50m) – those PB’s just keep on coming! Whilst in the shot putt, Matthew Traynor came 4th (A) 8.43m, with James Darby 3rd (B) 5.36m – value points for the team!

Louis Ball came 2nd in the discus (25.51m) and 4th in the javelin (29.08m), whilst Matthew threw a huge PB for 1st B in the javelin (27.04m).

Relays

4x100m – Max Margerison, Sam Hodgkinson, Evan Barnett, Lucas Shaw – 5th (52.30s)

4x300m – Matthew Trevor, Patrick Hind, Lucas Shaw, James Darby – 2nd (02:52.50)

U16 boys came 3rd overall in their age category. Well done.

U16 Girls

Sprints and Hurdles

Great sprinting from our girls with a huge PB for Ruby Gore in the 100m A race (13.30s), unfortunately suffering a slight injury (get well soon Ruby) – and Amber Jones on her debut running an amazing 13.2s for 2nd in the B race. Isabella Foxton ran 14.3s as the non-scorer. 

It was Thea Lucas running a PB for 3rd in the 200m A race (28.10s) with once again Amber have a fantastic run (27.40s) to win the B race. Evie Hampson also took on the 300m, running 49.10s for 5th.

Moving up to the 80m hurdles, Isabella Hunt ran 17.70s for 5th, with Charlotte Derbyshire also 5th in the B race (16.30s). Then it was 300m hurdles debuts for Skye Gordon – who finished 5th running 51.20s, whilst Isabella finished 2nd in the B race (56.60). Well done girls!

Distance

Thea Lucas finished 5th in the 800m (2:45.30) with Grace Harris 3rd in the B race (2:51.20). Katie-Lou Malley ran 2:21.70 as a non-scorer. 

Jumps and Throws

Skye finished 2nd in the long jump (4.76m), with Charlotte 2nd in the B competition (3.99m). Skye then finished 4th (on countback) in the high jump (1.45m), with Emily Pennington 4th B (1.25m). Over in the pole vault, Sophia Bowden-McKay equalled her indoor PB of 2.30m for the win.

It was 6th for Charlotte Derbyshire in the javelin (9.45m), and 4th (B) for Isabella Hunt (7.15m). Well done girls for trying things outside of your comfort zone and helping the team.

Relays

4x100m – Charlotte Derbyshire, Amber Jones, Isabella Foxton, Isabella Hunt – 4th (54.00)

4x300m – Grace Harris, Skye Gordon, Evie Hampson, Katie-Lou Malley – 2nd (03:12.70)

U16 girls came 4th in their age category.

U14 Boys

Sprints

It was a PB for Elliot Hunt in the 100m (13.70s), for 5th in the A race, with Lucas Bateson making his debut and finishing 5th in the B race (15.30s).  

Distance

Luke Ashcroft was 4th in the 800m A race (2:32.60), with Ryan Catton 2nd in the B race (2:48.90). Then a huge PB for Jak Smith in the 1500m saw him finish 4th in a time of 05:18.60.

Jumps and Throws

PBs for our long jumpers, as Elliot Hunt went over the 4m mark (4.09m) to finish 5th, whilst Hugo Wilson jumped 3.27m for 6th (B). Then more PBs as Luke Ashcroft sailed over 1.30m for 4th in the high jump, with Elliot making his high jump debut and clearing 1.20m for 4th (B).

Hugo Wilson (moving up to the 500g javelin) threw 18.18m for 3rd.

6th place overall finish for the U14 boys in their age category.

U14 Girls

Sprints and hurdles

First outing for Jessica Wraith in the 100m sprint, finishing 6th (14.10s), with Sophie Atherton (also very new to competing) running a fabulous 13.60s to win the B race. 

Non scorers in the 100m were Lexi-Belle Conradie (15.0s), Rose Cardiff (15.3s) and new member Rosie Crowder running an impressive 13.9s! 

A PB for Elizabeth Teslim-Balogun saw her finish 5th in the 200m (29.30s), with Lexi-Belle Conradie also running a PB time of 31.20s to finish 6th in the B race.

Stepping up to the 75m hurdles (whilst currently suffering a mental block in the event), Emily Mason faced her fears and ran a clean race in 14.80s for 4th. Jessica Wraith ran the B race in 14.50s.

Distance

An impressive PB in the 800m for Poppy Duffy, saw her run a 2:26.40 race for 2nd.  

Jumps and Throws

An enormous 4.43m long jump for Emily Mason put her in 2nd place, with new member Rosie Crowder jumping an equally impressive 4.16m. Amazing jumping girls – huge congratulations!

It was 1.30m for Jess Wraith in the high jump (3rd), with Freya Ormshaw also jumping 1.30m for 2nd (B). Pole Vaulter Erin Baron came 1st with a 2.20m vault, whilst non-scorer Kathryn Trevor cleared 1.90m.

Elizabeth Teslim-Balogun placed 2nd in the Shot Putt (8.54m), with Emily Mason winning the B competition (6.68m). Then we saw some fantastic hammer throwing from Erin Baron (making her debut in the event). A best of 10.02m (for 4th) unfortunately didn’t reflect her true “best” of around 17m, only to be given a foul despite shouts from Dad Rob “through the back!! Exit through the back!!!!” At least you know what you could do next time Erin!

Lexi-Belle Conradie concluded the throws with an 8.26m best in the javelin for 6th.

Relays

4x100m – Elizabeth Teslim-Balogun, Emily Mason, Sophie Atherton, Jessica Wraith – 3rd (55.30)

2nd place finish overall for our U14 girls in their age category – excellent!

Finally

Wigan finished the day in 5th place overall, with only a handful of points separating us from 3rd, so it’s all still very much to play for. With three fixtures still to come, every event we fill makes a difference to the team score.

The YDL is a brilliant chance for young athletes to gain competition experience while enjoying the buzz of being part of a team. If there are friends in your group who didn’t compete this time, see if you can get them involved next round - every event covered means more points and a stronger push up the league table.

We also earn points for helpers and officials on the day. If you’d like to know more about getting involved, just ask - every bit of support counts.

Well done to all of you on some fantastic performances and thanks to coaches, officials and parents for your support. What an enormous sense of pride you should all feel competing at your home club!

Next fixture is on 31st May at Leigh Harriers. Please let myself or you coach know if you are available to compete.

John Hewitt – YDL Team Manager