ATHLETICS: THURROCK Harrier Jon Metcalf proved his versatility at the weekend by winning the 400m race at the London Indoor Games just a fortnight after picking up his medal in the over 50s section for the Essex Cross Country League. Metcalf judged his effort well and recorded 60.04 to beat several younger competitors. On the following day he recorded 2m14.8s on the 800m.

Although pleased with this time the young runner felt he could have judged his race tactics better.

Unfortunately he has to miss the Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships at the end of the month. But he will compete in the National Championships in March where he will hope to repeat his medal winning performances of recent years.

This weekend sees the rearranged Essex Schools Championship at Gloucester Park, Basildon. The seniors were amazed to see last Saturday’s Southern Cross Country Championships cancelled. They were due to be held at the much used Parliament Hill Fields venue but were called off because the City of London Officials thought the runners might do irreparable damage to the grasslands. This was a decision that was met with dismay by the old hands in the sport.

For borough athletics see Friday's THURROCK GAZETTE