GIFTED Tashon Whittaker ran his first 400m for Leigh Harriers and broke a 12-years-old club record -- without spikes.

The 16-years-old Lowton sprinter, who sliced one tenth of a second off Matthew Goodwin's U17 53.5 sec time, scored a great double victory wearing just trainers.

He also took the 200m in division one of the first joint Young Athletes' League match at Bury in 23.5sec.

And according to club coach, Joe Galvin, if he starts to take the sport seriously he could be a force to be reckoned with.

Joe said Tash appeared at the club at the end of last season and though he takes part in endurance training with the girls he is so laid back he hasn't put a lot of effort in.

Because of a shortage of athletes on Sunday Joe asked him to compete in the sprint double and he walked away with the races.

"He's poetry in motion," said Joe. "Wait till he gets a pair of spikes."

Hannah Warburton was also in top form lowering her own club record in the U13 1200m in 4min 7sec and also taking the 200m.

Struggled for points

With half the team missing Leigh struggled to gain points, but those who competed produced a series of outstanding performances.

In the U17 Alex Urmston won the 800m and 1500m steeplechase and was third in the high jump. Tom Boardman took victory in the 800m and javelin while Andy Edwards won the B 1500m and 400m. Mike Goddard had double seconds in the 1500m and 300m and Chris Hodgson ran third in the 100 and 200m.

In the girls' U17 Adele Swanton won the 3000m and 300m hurdles, while Gemma Farley took a first and second in the 1500m and 800m.

Other victories went to Emma Tongue in the 1500m and javelin, while Louise Boardman was third in the 100m and 200m and Emma Morris third in the 300m and javelin.

Curt Graham made an outstanding start for the U13s winning the 100m and long jump in his first outing. Sean Blackhurst and Jack Rigby both won valuable points with fourth places in the 100 and 200m. Isacc McCann was runner-up in the 1500m while Chris Fouldes took the B race.

The U15 teams consisted of just four athletes, with Tom Henders running two second places in the 800 and 1500m and Rebecca Howarth finishing runner-up in the 800m and Clare Thompson second in the 200m.

The next match is at Blackburn in a fortnight.

Any budding athlete is welcome to training at the club at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and free coaching will be given for the first two weeks.