ATHLETICS: KHAI Riley-La Borde and Hayley McLean were celebrating lowering their personal bests at the Loughborough International.

Palmer’s College student Riley-La Borde blasted his way to another qualifying time for the World Junior Championships by finishing second in the under-20 men’s 110m hurdles race in 13.62s – the eighth fastest in the all-time rankings.

Despite that, the Purfleet athlete was not entirely happy with his run – suggesting there are faster times still to come.

And it looks like the 18-year-old will need that if he is to guarantee his selection for the World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA, in July, as the 110m hurdles is the most hotly contested discipline in the country.

Three athletes already have the qualifying standard with only two guaranteed a seat on the plane to Oregon.

McLean, who was representing England at Loughborough, continues to chip away at her own PB, as she finished third in 57.02s.

Her time was a tantalising two-hundreths of a second outside the B-standard needed for the Commonwealth Games.

Discus thrower Duane Jibunoh made his debut for Great Britain juniors at Loughborough, finishing second with a best throw of 45.86m while hammer thrower Amir Williamson was fourth with a best of 68.79m.

While that quartet were competing in Loughborough, dozens of Thurrock Harriers and other Thurrock-based athletes were taking part in day one of the Essex County Championships – and there was plenty of success.

Tilbury’s Robbie Clarricoats, East Tilbury’s Tom Richardson and Thurrock Harrier Gemma Holloway were among those who stood on the top spot of the podium.

Clarricoats (a member of the Newham & Essex Beagles club) won the under-20 men’s 110m hurdles in 14.95s, Richardson won the senior men’s 800m while Gemma Holloway led the under-20 women’s 800m from start to finish.

Aveley’s Modupe Shokunbi also tasted success, sprinting to a win in the U15 girls 100m.

The full results had not been published as the Gazette went to press, with the second day of the championships being held on Saturday.