2023 has been a strong year for the Weir Archer Academy both on and off the track, we are proud of every single athletes’ achievements.

Here are some of the highlights:

Club captain Hilmy has had a great season overall with fantastic performances at all his races of particular note was a 7 second PB in the 800m. Hilmy competed at the England Athletics Senior & Disability Championships recording wins in all his races as well as strong performances at the Kingston Summer Open and Coventry Spring Meet. He ended his season on a high finishing 2nd in the Westminster Mile.

David Weir has had another incredible season, placing 3rd overall at the Berlin Marathon as well as recording a strong top 5 finish at the London Marathon. Over the half marathon distance, David finished 1st at The Big Half just missing out on his own course record as well as finishing 2nd at the Great North Run. David has continued to work closely and supported all the athletes within Weir Archer in helping them achieve their goals.

Marcus has had an incredible season winning his 1st international race in Dubai as well as achieving a 100m PB. He also had strong performances in Nottwil, Switzerland and at the Kingston Summer Open. A definite highlight of Marcus’ season was making his Team GB debut at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. His strong performances and hard work have confirmed his place on the British Athletics Paralympic Futures Programme.

Dillon has had by far his best season recording PB’s in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m as well strong performances in the 1500m. Dillon competed at the Nottwil and Arbon as well as the Coventry Spring Meet. Dillon’s fantastic season has resulted in him being selected for the England Athletics Senior Programme.

Mo has worked hard this year which really paid off with PB’s in the 400m, 800m and 1500m. He competed at both the Nottwil and Arbon meets in Switzerland as well as the Coventry Spring Meet. Mo also placed 4th with a PB at the London Athletics Meet at the Olympic Stadium. His hard work and performances this year has resulted in Mo being selected for the England Athletics Senior Programme.

James has had a fantastic season, most notably smashing the T33 European Record in the 800m as well as a PB in the 400m and just missing out on a PB in the 100m. He showed strong performances at both Nottwil and Arbon in Switzerland. On the road James completed his first half marathon at The Big Half setting a record time for the T33 category.

Morgan started the season with strong performances at the Coventry Spring Meet. As an athlete who much prefers longer distances, it was no surprise that Morgan smashed both his Worthing 10k and went on to compete in his first half marathon at The Big Half. As we now recovers from surgery, we wish him all the best with his recovery and can’t wait to see him back racing soon!

Illias has had a very strong season achieving PB’s in the 200m, 400m and 1500m. He competed in a number of track events including the National Junior Athletics Championships where he picked up 3 Gold and 1 Silver medal and in the England U17 Para Championships picking up wins in all his races. On the road Illias won the TCS Mini Marathon in the Under 17 T53/54 category as well as finishing 2nd in the Vitality 10,000 (his first race at this distance) and 3rd in the Westminster Mile achieving a PB.

Jamie has had a strong season with PB’s in the 400m, 800m and 1500m as well as competing in his first 5,000m at the Coventry Spring Meet. Jamie has competed at both Nottwil and Arbon in Switzerland and the England Athletics Senior & Disability Championships in Chelmsford. Jamie also travelled to Poland to compete in the Diamond League in Chorzów where he finished 5th. On the road he competed in The Big Half achieving a PB.

Sam has put a lot of hard work in throughout the year which really paid off as he achieved multiple PB’s in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. Sam competed at a number of track meets throughout the year including the Surrey County Championships, National Junior Athletics Championships and CP Sport National Athletics Championships. On the road Sam really excelled coming 1st place in the TCS London Mini Marathon Under 17 T33/34 category as well as achieving a huge PB in the Westminster Mile. Sam achieved all of this whilst completing his GCSE’s, a huge well done on your results and hard work!

Lucas has gone from strength to strength this year with fantastic performances and PB’s in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m. Having missed the majority of last season due to surgery he has worked incredibly hard to get back to racing and has come back faster and stronger, which is a real show of his resilience. Lucas was the only junior athlete to compete at the Kingston Summer Open but undeterred by this he put in strong performances in all his races. On the road Lucas finished 1st at the TCS London Mini Marathon in the Under 14 T53/54 category as well as achieving a PB.

Owen has had a great season with strong PB’s in the 100m, 400m and 800m. He competed in the National Junior Athletics Championships and the Surrey CAA Disability County Championships with strong performances at both events. In the TCS London Mini Marathon, Owen achieved a solid PB. Off the track Owen has juggled racing with his SATs, leaving Primary School and starting his new secondary school.

Miles has worked really hard this year alongside Liz to help improve his throwing. In July this year he competed in the National Junior Athletics Championships in Coventry in the Shot and Javelin events. In the Javelin, Miles through 11.36m achieving a gold medal and in the Shot he threw 4.29m also achieving gold. Congratulations on all your hard work and your performances!

Jack has had good season with strong performances in the 100m, 200m and 400m at the Surrey CAA Disability County Championships. On the road Jack competed in the TCS Mini London Marathon where he finished 3rd in the Under 17 T53/54 category. He completed his GCSE’s this year and is now studying at college, a huge well done on your results and hard work!

Toby has had an incredible season in only his second year of wheelchair racing. His hard work really paid off with massive PB’s in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. On the road Toby came 1st in the Under 14 T33/34 category taking nearly a minute off his previous best time on the course. Whilst it may not be considered a highlight, Toby showed incredible determination following a crash at the Westminster Mile to get back up and carry on in his day chair despite being injured.

Xander has had a fantastic season on the road competing in multiple 5km races including a 14 second PB at Dorney Lake. Xander’s love of road and distance racing has continued and now at the age of 15 he is able to step up to 10km races. In his first 10km he showed real determination to continue despite a puncture to finish in 41.:33. In the TCS London Mini Marathon he placed second in the Under 17 T53/54 category with a PB as well!

Ellis has had a fantastic year both on and off the track! In only her second year of competing she achieved huge PB’s in the 100m, 400m and in particular the 800m where she achieved a huge 10 second PB. All whilst juggling her A-Level revision and exams and subsequently starting her university degree. On the road Ellis competed in the Westminster Mile achieving a well deserved PB. Ending the year on a high, Ellis has again been selected for the England Para Academy for 2024.

Yaz has shown real dedication and determination this year having started the year off with surgery resulting in a few months out of training. She came back strong with incredible results including 2 Golds at the National Junior Athletics Championships and a Gold and Bronze at the England U17 Para Championships. She finished off the season by smashing her mile PB at the Westminster Mile.

Natasha had a great start to the season competing in Switzerland at both Arbon and Nottwil where she smashed her PB’s in the 100m, 400m and 800m. She continued this fantastic form with strong performances at the Surrey CAA Disability County Championships and Coventry Spring Meet. Natasha’s hard work across the season is definitely paying off and can be seen with impressive sprint finishes in her 800m events.

Nathalie has had a great first year of wheelchair racing, competing at Surrey CAA Disability County Championships in the 100m, 200m, 400m and the 1500m setting impressive times having only been racing for a couple of months. Nathalie went on to smash her times at both Bedford and Stoke Mandeville. On the road Nathalie competed in the TCS Mini London Marathon finishing 2nd in the Under 17 T53/54 and in the Westminster Mile finishing 4th.

Olivia returned to the racing this season having taken time away in 2022. Whilst competing internationally in Dubai and Switzerland she achieved PB’s in 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m, particular mention to the 100m going under 22 seconds for the first time whilst racing in Arbon. Back in the UK, Olivia built on this with strong performances at the Coventry Spring Meet, BWAA Grand Prix Series and Surrey County Championships.

Claudia has had a great season achieving PB’s in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m. On the road she achieved a 10 minute half marathon PB at The Big Half as well as competing in her first elite wheelchair marathon in Dublin. In her day chair Claudia also complete Chicago Marathon and Comrades Marathon in South Africa as well as setting the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a non-racing chair at the London Marathon in April.

All of these incredible achievements would not have been possible without the support and guidance of so many. We would like to thank the coaches: Jenny, David Weir, Dave Lucas, Kim, Liz, Lucy, Jake and Sash for their hard work, time and support throughout the season as well as the cyclists who give up their time to regularly support athletes with their training in the park. A special thank you also to all our fundraisers, sponsors and supporters who have helped athletes achieve their goals this year.

2024 is going to be a huge year for everyone at Weir Archer Academy, we hope to see you all at race meets next year! Thank you to everyone for their support this year!