A SUPERB steeplechase victory for Adam Bowden was the highlight of a strong Harrow Athletic club performance in the National Championships and British Olympic Trials at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium last weekend.
The 25 year old has won three national silver medals but this was his first senior title.
He stayed in touch with the early leader, Andrew Lemoncello, but did not follow a mid-race break by unfancied Glen Comish, preferring to stay in the main pack.
Lemoncello struck with 500 metres left, taking Bowden and Luke Gunn past a fading Comish and into a three-way battle for gold.
Bowden closed up approaching the final water jump, and accelerated past the leader at the final barrier to claim victory in a modest 8.36.17. He now has a clean sweep of national titles, having previously won English schools, national under-20 and national under-23 championships.
He has achieved the 'B' standard but must now gain the 'A' standard of 8.24.60 by tomorrow (Friday) to earn selection for Beijing.
Andy Baddeley, recent winner of the Dream Mile, has been selected for the Olympic 1500 metres and he settled for some speed work in Birmingham, taking silver in the 800 metres in 1.50.48. Laura Turner also has the 'A' standard but finished a slightly disappointing third in the 100 metres, in a solid 11.36, behind her season's best of 11.29.
