Danvers takes Super 8 glory and lauds new event

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Tasha Danvers insists the new-look Super 8 format has been a long time coming - but after picking up victory in the inaugural event she's over the moon it has finally arrived.

BRIGHT FUTURE: Tasha Danvers grabs Super 8 victory and insists new event is future of UK athletics

Danvers, who picked up bronze in Beijing last summer in the 400m hurdles, clocked 13.39 seconds over the 100m hurdles to claim victory for London South, as eight different cities compete for points.

Super 8 is the new brainchild of UKA and is a new event that crams 11 events for men and women as well as relays into two hours - designed to revolutionise athletics in the UK, much like Twenty20 has done to cricket.

And Danvers, who revealed she has experienced something similar across the pond, is convinced Super 8 is the future for athletics in Great Britain.

"I really enjoyed that, I've been looking forward to this competition for some time now - it's very similar to what I'm used to with the collegiate system in America," she said.

"The points system is very similar and it's a very quick programme - two to three hours maximum - and the added bonus is that I get to earn some money, which is great because I'm not sponsored.

It's brilliant as well for the athletes who might not get to go to Europe to compete so it's a great idea - a lot of people have been begging for something to happen in the UK as far as athletics is concerned and here it is."

Meanwhile, 2009 European indoor 4x400m silver medallist Vicky Barr romped to 400m victory in Cardiff to secure maximum points for Newcastle - and immediately called on the GB girls to step up to the plate at the European Team Championships in Portugal later this month.

"First of all I'm very happy with the win, maximum points for Newcastle so I can't complain," she added. "You can see the time wasn't very great but it was very windy and I had lane one which is very tight but I know I have to learn to run in all the lanes.

"I'm not really sure about selection with that time, obviously I'm working towards a 4x400m place at the European Team Championships. We've got a really strong boys team going out so the girls need to step up."

Elaine O'Neill picked up another victory for London South in the 100m as she crossed the line in 11.74 secs, while Cardiff's Amanda Moss delighted a home crowd to grab 800m glory in 2:05.05 minutes in her first race of the season.

"It's my first race, you never know what to expect first race out," said Moss. "I went hard, I was really nervous and haven't raced since last July. I have two weeks of solid training now that should set me up for the AAA's." 

In the field, Sheffield's Laura Whittingham picked up javelin victory with a throw of 55.45m, while Stephanie Pywell took the high jump crown as her 1.80m effort could not be beaten.

And back on the track Charlene Thomas, fresh from setting a personal best in Warsaw last weekend, clocked 4:15.01m to scoop 1500m victory.

The overall contest was eventually won by London South with 117 points, just one ahead of Birmingham who took second place, with London North also on 116 points but in third place.

Home advantage proved of little use for Cardiff, who finished eighth and last with 82.5 points.