Silver medal for ex-Hucknall runner Archer at World Masters event

Former Hucknall runner Kevin Archer continued his successful season with fine performances in the 800m and 1500m at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Malaga, Spain.
Kevin Archer, stretching every sinew on his way to success in Malaga.Kevin Archer, stretching every sinew on his way to success in Malaga.
Kevin Archer, stretching every sinew on his way to success in Malaga.

Archer recovered from a fall at the water jump in the steeplechase event to finish a close fourth in the 800m and then an excellent second in the longer race.

He qualified with ease for the 800m final in which he clocked a time only 0.66 seconds outside the British record. Drawn in the outside lane, he went off too fast, which made all the difference from grabbing a bronze medal and breaking the record. But at least his time of 2.21.66 minutes was a personal best by more than four seconds.

In the 1500m, contested by 50 athletes, Archer won his heat from the front, and took the decision to repeat the tactics in the final. It worked and only with 80m to go was he caught and passed by crack Irishman Joe Gough, who had also won the 800m in a new European record time.

Archer was still delighted with his silver medal, which was achieved in a time of 4.50.98 minutes, the third fastest of all time by a Briton in his age category. Curiously, his finishing positions replicated those in the same races at the World Championships of 2003 at Puerto Rico.