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22/08/2019 00:00, In Blog / Track & Field /

Over 30 Welsh athletes are traveling up to Birmingham this weekend to compete at the 131^st Muller British Athletics Championships in the famous Alexander Stadium. This will be the last Championship event in the Stadium until after the Commonwealth Games in 2022 which is being held at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

For some this is their final chance to hit the standard for the World Championships later this year and for others it is their first experience competing at this level of competition.

Osian Jones (Carys Parry) who has extended his Welsh Record on multiple occasions this year to 73.85m, which is just over 2 metres away from the World Championship qualifying standard, is looking to book his ticket on the plane to Doha.   

In addition, several Commonwealth Games athletes will be competing over the weekend. Elinor Kirk (Steve Vernon), Ieuan Thomas (James Thie) and Jonathon Hopkins will all be running to book their place at the World Championships in Doha. Caryl Granville and Dai Greene will be running over the 400m hurdles in the hopes of also running the standards for Doha and Olivia Breen (Aston Moore) will be looking to improve again on her Commonwealth Games Record in the Long Jump. Despite the 5k walk not being a World Championship distance, Bethan Davies (Andi Drake) will be looking to retain her British Championship title. 

Sam Gordon (Matt Elias) will be looking to get close to the 100m qualifying standard as part of his road to Tokyo 2020. He has had a number of a strong performances throughout the year but conditions have not been in his favour thus far. Hopefully, with some good conditions and a strong block of training, he will get close to his target.

Adele Nicoll (Ryan Spencer-Jones) is looking to put on a good performance in the Shot to throw a place on the podium. Jake Heyward (James Thie), fresh from his U23 European Championships, will be looking to show form in the 1500m and Owen Smith (Matt Elias) will be looking to run his way to a medal position in the 400m.

There will also be a strong field of young Welsh athletes competing in Birmingham this weekend. James Tomlinson (Paul Jenson), Joe Brier (Matt Elias) and Owain Lloyd Hughes (Kevin Williams) who have all worn the GB vest this year and will be going against some tough senior competition to vie for a medal.

For entries, timetable and start lists, click here 

There is plenty of Welsh action happening in Birmingham and you can follow it all on the BBC at the following days and times:

BBC Red Button – Saturday 24^th August 14:45-17:00
BBC2 – Sunday 25^th August 13:00-17:00

You will also be able to keep up with all the Welsh performances on our twitter and Instagram pages @welshathletics