From qualifying for the London mini marathon, to achieving personal best times over a variety of distances, this summer has seen a series of athletics successes for our Year 9 student Olivia. Over the summer holidays, Olivia competed in several 1500m races, with the accolade of being named the Southend Open champion in July. She was also invited to represent Essex in the SEAA Inter counties U15 and U17 Championships in Oxford after achieving a personal best time for the 1500m distance of 4:46.09.

Olivia has recently taken second place at the England Athletics U15 National Finals, where she finished with a new personal best time of 10:27.57 in her 3000m race.

Olivia also often takes part in Parkrun events; Parkrun takes place each Saturday at more than 2000 locations around the globe. Her personal best time at a 5km Parkrun is 18:06, and in the 2km junior Parkrun, her time is 6:46 meaning she holds the female course record at her local venue, Harrow Lodge.

Mr Seb Cirillo, Head of Athletics, has praised Olivia’s enthusiasm for the sport: “I have always seen Olivia to be incredibly hard-working and motivated, while also retaining a desire to work with those around her to be the best possible version of herself.”

Find out more about Athletics at New Hall.