WORLD MASTERS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
SACRAMENTO, USA JULY 2011
Angela Copson came away with two gold medals and a silver when she took part in her first ever World Masters Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, USA. Competing in the Womens over 60 category the 64 year old Copson had a hectic schedule of 4 races in 7 days, which started with the final of the 5000m in sweltering heat of 100F. Not surprisingly the race was a slow tactical one with runners from China, Mexico and the USA taking it in turns to lead. With one lap to go Angela made her decisive move and held on to win by 1.6 secs from the USA’s Edie Stevenson with a time of 21 mins 20.71 secs. Only 5 seconds separated the first three with GB’S Ros Tabor clinching the bronze.
Copson was back the next day in the second semi final of the 800m and with the first two qualifying she finished in 2nd place with 2 mins 52.44 secs. The final followed two days later with 12 athletes taking part.
With the temperature still very high, the Rugby & Northampton athlete, who only started running 5 years ago, found Denmark’s Ingerlise Jensen a bit too strong, but nevertheless moved into second place in the final 200m to win the silver medal in a lifetime best of 2.40.54. This knocked more than two seconds off her PB from 2009.
She then, had four days rest before the final of the 10000m, when the weather was slightly cooler and they were also joined in the field by the over 65 ladies. Angela took the lead from the start and destroyed the whole field of 19 runners by lapping every single one of them at least once and finished in a time of 41 mins 22.7 secs.
Jean Fail was the only other Rugby & Northampton athlete taking part and she too came away with a gold medal when she won the W60 80m Hurdles title in 14.56 secs.
Both Jean and Angela, then took part for Great Britain in the over 60 4x100m Relay, with Angela running the third leg and handing over to Jean on the final leg. They finished 5th in 64.69 secs.
