Hundreds join big athletics meeting

More than 650 athletes converged on Tipton for one of the biggest events of the season's sporting calendar. One hundred events were held including sprints, jumps and throwing.

The 10th annual Tipton Games attracted runners as young as eight alongside more experienced competitors, including 87-year-old shot putter Mary Wixey.

Hosted by the Tipton Harriers athletics club at Tipton Sports Academy, people came from as far as London and Wales to compete.

Organiser Margaret Cherrington said: "When it first started there were only about 250 people taking part but it's just grown and grown. Now it's one of the biggest athletics meets in the country."

It marked the start of the season for many of the participants, most of whom were competing to win places on club teams.

And for octogenarian former PE teacher Miss Wixey, who travelled up from her home in Cheltenham, it was a welcome return to athletics. "With the winter I haven't been able to practice all my throwing so it's nice to be back out and show myself I can still do it," she said.

"I remember running in a relay when I was at primary school and I've been interested in sports since then. I've competed in Japan and Italy. Last year I won the World Masters 100 metre sprint for over 85-year-olds."

She also walks and plays table tennis to keep fit. At the other end of the spectrum were young Tipton Harriers' Marcus Fennell, eight from Dudley, and nine-year-old Tapria Williams, from West Bromwich.

Both competed in the Under 11s 75 metre sprint coming in in fifth and third place respectively.