The Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham was a day to celebrate for SPAR athletics ambassador Jenny Meadows, Mo Farah and Philips Idowu with all three storming to victory in their events.
Farah breaks British indoor record
Mo Farah smashed the 5,000m British indoor record after breaking the 3,000m record at the same event two years earlier. He was neck and neck with training partner Galen Rupp for the majority of the race but pushed on to take the gold with 200 metres to go.
Meadows takes gold
SPAR ambassador Jenny Meadows continued her success from Sheffield by taking the gold in the 800m, running a winning time of 1.59.22 but struggled to hit her peak without serious competition.
“I’m so glad to win the race but I’m a little disappointed in the time. I would have like a sub -1.59 but it’s quite difficult when you’re out there on your own.”
Idowu leaps to victory
Philips Idowu was another winner at Birmingham after a thrilling battle in the triple jump with nemesis Olsson. The competition went into five rounds with Idowu producing a mammoth 17.57m jump to beat the 2004 Olympic Champion.
Even though Idowu is not going to Paris for the European Indoor Championships, he was pleased with his form and technique.
“My mid was clear. I’m happy with it and I just wanted to come here and test out my technique. It took five rounds but that’s a great way to win. I’m a great showman. It’s good to know I’m in that kind of shape that early on in the season.”
Lewis-Francis and Aikines-Aryeetey injured
But it was a disappointing day for Mark Lewis-Francis and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey after both suffered injuries that are likely to put them out of action for the Indoor Championships in Paris in March.
Lewis-Francis, who took silver in both the European and Commonwealth Championships last year, pulled his groin in the early heats, while Aikines-Aryeetey pulled his hamstring in the finals of the 60m.
In the field pole-vaulter Steve Lewis was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured thumb after failing at 5.50m on his second attempt.