ATHLETICS: Clarke's boosted as Arnold stays (From Bicester Advertiser)

ATHLETICS: Clarke's boosted as Arnold stays

10:30am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

THE man behind Oxfordshire hurdler Lawrence Clarke’s rise to fourth place at London 2012 has been appointed UK Athletics’ lead hurdles coach.

Malcolm Arnold, who also coached Colin Jackson to three world titles, was appointed by UKA’s new performance director Neil Black and head coach Peter Eriksson.

After Clarke’s superb effort in the Olympic 110m hurdles final, he urged the veteran Arnold not to retire and help him to challenge at Rio 2016.

The 22-year-old, from Christmas Common, said last summer: “It is the next Olympic Games that we want him to stay out of retirement for.

“He did that for me here and I can’t thank him enough.”

Now it looks as if Clarke has his wish.

RESULTS ROUND-UP

(senior men unless stated)

ROUGH N TUMBLE 10 MILES

Didcot Runners: P Thomas (V50) 1.19.23, K Reade (LV40) 1.40.19, B Larnach (V40) 1.52.48, J Foster (LV45) 1.58.28, J Shand (LV45) 1.59.18.

COUNTRY TO CAPITAL 45 MILES

Didcot Runners: S Payne (V50) 7.27.30, P Griffiths (V45) 7.28.52, J Scarbrough (V60) 9.16.20.

GORING & WOODCOTE DISTRICT LIONS 10K

Headington RR: 169 R Walsh 50.49.