May is the month when the summer season really opens up, and the Beagles took on just about everything it had to offer. County championships in Essex and Middlesex, the Bannister Mile in Oxford, BMC middle distance racing in Manchester and Somerset, the first round of the English Schools Cup, two packed quadrathlons and a hot, medal filled Eastern AA Championships in Cambridge.
Add in steeplechases at Bury St Edmunds and Brighton, road 5ks, a half marathon in Hackney and a first ever 10k, and you have four weeks of Beagles vests everywhere. If you missed our last update you can catch up here, then read on for all of May’s results.
May at a glance
- Max Cheetham won the U14 100m (11.55, a PB) and 200m (24.51) titles at the Eastern AA Track and Field Championships in Cambridge on 30 May, where Brentwood Beagles took 4 Eastern titles and 2 bronze medals.
- Madison Kindler retained the Alf Wilkins trophy for the fastest U14 girl at the Bannister Mile in Oxford (4:57.46) for the third successive year, and set a 1500m PB of 4:25.21 at the BMC meeting in Somerset to extend her age group UK lead.
- Day two of the Essex County Championships brought Brentwood Beagles 4 gold medals, 1 silver and 3 bronze, plus a long list of personal bests.
- Sophia Davies won the Middlesex U14 1500m title in a personal best 4:39.05; across the weekend's county championships the Beagles won 3 championship golds, 2 silvers and a bronze.
- Beagles juniors filled two quadrathlons, with 8 athletes at the Southend Quadrathlon on 3 May and 28 at the Basildon Quadrathlon on 31 May.
- Sophie Bickerstaff took 5 seconds off her 3000m PB with 9:57.37 at the Watford Open Meeting on 27 May.
Steeplechase and Walks Festival, Bury St Edmunds
The bank holiday weekend meant extra racing opportunities for the Beagles, and the Steeplechase and Walks Festival at Bury St Edmunds was a fine way to start the month. Celia Cordran (21.19.8) was 2nd in the 3000m county race walk to collect Essex silver.
Evie Warn (7:24.10) took on the 2000m steeplechase and produced a personal best, with a strong start and confident work over the barriers. Amalie Twydell (5:45.0) finished second in the mile.
Southend Quadrathlon, Southend
Our youngest Beagles were straight into action at the Southend Quadrathlon. The U10s took on a sprint (times recorded over 50m), the standing long jump, the howler throw and the 400m, while the U12s contested 75m, 600m, long jump and the howler.
U10 boys:
- Ilias Dunbar (50m 8.38 for 2nd, 400m 1:19.18, standing long jump 1.53m, howler 21.15m), 5th overall
- Jesse Rowell (400m 1:15.97 for 2nd, 50m 8.98, standing long jump 1.60m, howler 26.14m), 6th overall
- Sean Connor (50m 9.08, 400m 1:19.39, standing long jump 1.52m, howler 20.56m), looking strong in his events
- Isaac Miles (50m 9.05, 400m 1:19.18, standing long jump 1.39m, howler 13.00m), showing great promise
U10 girls:
- Margot Zaymann (50m 8.68 for 1st, 400m 1:21.88 for 2nd, standing long jump 1.60m, howler 14.56m), 4th overall
U12s:
- Leo Rowell (75m 12.37, 600m 2:02.01, long jump 3.15, howler 12.92), a good competition
- Elise Gosling (75m 12.12, 600m 2:05.76, long jump 2.91, howler 10.55), a good day all round
- Anaiya Obika (75m 12.26, 600m 2:18.52, long jump 3.29, howler 8.19), looking strong
Bannister Mile, Oxford
A trip to the historic Oxford track for the Bannister Mile, and another chapter in a growing Beagles tradition. Madison Kindler (4:57.46) retained the Alf Wilkins trophy for the fastest U14 girl for the third successive time, a wonderful achievement.
Sophia Davies (5.04.66) was 2nd with a personal best, and U16 Sophie Bickerstaff (5:12.21) ran a new PB. Lianne Esterhuysen (5:23.41) and Jessica Davidson (5:26.37), the latter with a PB, completed a fine set of Beagles miles.
Dorney 10k, Dorney
A brilliant debut at the distance for Luca Tredgett (39.48), who finished 3rd at the Dorney 10k in his first ever 10k race. Thanks to Mark T.
Essex County Championships, Day Two
The sun of the previous day had gone for day two of the Essex County Championships, replaced by high winds that meant plenty of excellent times were recorded as wind assisted (w) and will not count as personal bests. It made no difference to the Beagles spirit: 4 gold medals, 1 silver and 3 bronze on the day, plus numerous personal bests.
In the U16 girls hammer, Isabelle Holmes (36.51) threw a PB for 4th overall. Over the U14 80m hurdles, Alex Wright (15.0) and Oliver Nevill (15.83) both set personal bests, while Isabella Dunbar (13.38) had a good run in the U14 75m hurdles. Jessica Bone (43.8) clocked a PB in the U16 300m.
The 100m brought a stack of bests:
- Daniel Ayandare (13.74), U14, a PB in the heats, then 13.95 in the semi final
- Dolci Hoyte (13.76), U16, a season’s best in the heats, then 13.77 in the semi final
- Elsie Martin-Bouchareb (13.89), U14, a PB in the heats and another PB of 13.79 in the semi final
- Alex Wright (15:07), U14, PB
- Hadley Sando (14.82), U14, PB
- Isabella Dunbar (14.98), U14, PB
- James Gillingham (11:42), senior, season’s best
- Kairhys Hoyte (12.91), U16, PB
- Lucia Sando (16.06), U14, PB
- Patrick Barden (12.36), U16, a PB in the heats, then 12.49 in the semi final
- Stuart Carter (13.15), vet, 2nd for a silver medal
The 200m was just as busy. Max Cheetham (23.79 (w) in his heat and 23.53 (w) in the final) was totally dominant on his way to U14 gold. Here is the rest of the 200m squad:
- Amelie Irvine (28.44), U14, a PB as she won her heat, then 28.12 (w) for 4th in the final
- Elsie Martin-Bouchareb (29.78 (w)), U14
- Felix Rogers (24.55), U16, a new PB in his heat to qualify for the final, where he ran 24.25 (w)
- Hadley Sando (31.04), U14, a new PB
- Isabella Dunbar (29.94 (w)), U14
- James Gillingham (22.99 (w)), senior, looking good in a strong final
- Jaxxon Chue (33.27), U14
- Kenny Onwuka (26.14), U16, a new PB
- Lucia Sando (32.23 (w)), U14
- Max Matthews (26.3 (w)), U14, unlucky to just miss out on the final
- Patrick Barden (24.66 (w) in his heat and 24.72 (w) in the final), U16
- Robyn Colyer (27.61 (w) in her heat and 27.98 (w) in the final), U16
On the middle distance track, U16 Ollie Johnson (4:41.03) ran a 1500m PB and George Alder (4:55.03) a new best, while U18 Zara Morley (4:54.08) was 3rd for a bronze medal and a PB. In the U14 girls 1500m, Madison Kindler (4:39.56) took Essex gold, Lianne Esterhuysen (4:54.45) ran a brilliant new PB and Emily Brewington (5:21.34) also set a best.
The 800m produced more bests: U14 Austin Lever (2:32.28) PB, Rafi Mather (2:30.91) PB, Grace Lander (2:43.45) season’s best and Rosa Moss (2:48.2) PB, with U18 Lewis Ton (2:20.78) also running a PB. Madison Kindler (2:17.73) added a second Essex gold with victory in her race.
Over 3000m, U20 Max Sanderson (8:46.68) was 1st for U20 gold. Sophie Bickerstaff (10:17.57) won the U16 race with a PB, Amalie Twydell (11:23.84) took bronze despite a mid race fall and Esme Thomas (11:28.43) ran a PB. Zara Morley (10:32.89) was 1st in the U18 race for gold and a PB, and Isabel Forrest was 3rd in the U18 3000m for Essex bronze.
In the field, senior Ben Morgan (4.15m) jumped a PB for long jump silver and added triple jump bronze with another PB of 9.04m. Oliver Nevill (1.35m) was 4th in the U14 high jump, matching his PB, and Kenny Onwuka (1.50m) was 4th in the U16 high jump with a new PB. Kairhys Hoyte (11:03) was 2nd in the U16 boys triple jump with a PB and a silver medal.
The U14 girls high jump saw Isabella Dunbar (1.35m) and Macey Pitts (1.15m) both set personal bests. In the long jump, Robyn Colyer (4.54m) jumped a PB, Amelie Irvine (3.94m) produced her best effort, and Elsie Martin-Bouchareb (3.67m), Lucia Sando (3.26m) and Isabella Dunbar (3.22m) all competed well. Daniel Ayandare (3.78m) and Oliver Nevill (3.70m) contested the U14 boys long jump.
In the throws, Hadley Sando (18.59m) set a javelin PB in the U14 boys competition and Robyn Colyer (22.17m) threw a javelin PB for the U16 girls. Oliver Nevill (5.47m) and Daniel Ayandare (7.76m) both set shot put PBs. Thanks to @coach66flix and Daniel E for the photos, and to all of the volunteers and officials who made the championships happen.
Middlesex County Championships
Over at the Middlesex County Championships, U14 Sophia Davies (4:39.05) was a championship winner in the 1500m, taking gold with a personal best. Isabella Davies (5:16.04) also ran well in the same event.
Across the weekend’s county championships the Beagles won 3 championship golds, 2 silvers and a bronze. Thanks to Tamara.
Pitsea Running Club Crown to Crown 5k
Two U16 Beagles headed to the Crown to Crown 5k. Ollie Johnson (18:39) was 2nd overall and first U18 home, with Adam Armour (21:04) 12th. A strong evening on the roads for both.
Watford Open Meeting, 13 May
The focus at Watford was firmly on the 800m. U14 Sophia Davies (2:21.53) led the Beagles home, with U16 Amalie Twydell (2:31.41) and U14 Lianne Esterhuysen (2:34.23) both getting good two lap racing under their belts. Thanks to @coach66flix for the Watford photos.
BMC Meeting, Manchester
A long trip north paid off for U16 Heidi Woodley (4:29.15), who produced a great run over 1500m at the BMC meeting in Manchester.
BMC Meeting, Somerset
On the same day at the other end of the country, U14 Madison Kindler (4:25.21) ran a new 1500m PB at the BMC meeting in Somerset, extending her age group UK lead in the event. Superb racing.
5k Racing, 17 May
A new 5k personal best for U14 Jess Davidson (18:19). Lovely progression over the distance.
BFTTA Open
A stand out afternoon of sprinting for U14 Max Cheetham, who ran new 100m PBs of 11.71 and then 11.61, before adding a new 200m PB of 23.66. Three bests in one meeting.
U16 Amalie Twydell (2:30.75) continued her busy month with another 800m.
English Schools Cup, Round 1
The first round of the English Schools Cup took place this week, with a huge number of Beagles pulling on their school vests and plenty of athletes doubling up across track and field.
Junior girls (years 7 and 8):
- Elsie Martin-Bouchareb (100m 13.4, long jump 3.70m)
- Lianne Esterhuysen (1500m 4:57, discus 13.37m)
- Madison Kindler (1500m 4:44)
- Isabella Dunbar (hurdles 13.2, high jump 1.32m)
- Lottie Fowler (200m 30.0)
- Isobel Larner (1500m 5:15.5)
- Emily Brewington (1500m 5:21.5)
- Natanya Itiola (100m 14:0, shot 6.82m)
- Amelie Irvine (200m 28.4, long jump 4.24m)
- Grace Lander (800m 2:42.3)
Junior boys (years 7 and 8):
- Will Fagan (1500m 5:08.3)
- Edward Garwood (1500m 5:23.5)
- Finley Lethbridge (300m 47.3, triple jump 8.10m)
- Jamie Murphy (1500m 5:41.8, hammer 12.68m)
- Oliver Nevill (hurdles 15.2, long jump 3.71m)
- Max Cheetham (200m 23.5, long jump 4.60m)
- Oscar Gander (1500m 5:24)
- Alex Wright (hurdles 13.8, long jump 3.74m)
- Andreas Carlisle (hurdles 14.4, high jump 1.44m)
- Mason Tredgett (1500m 5:34)
Inter girls (years 9 and 10):
- Dolci Hoyte (100m 13.4, high jump 1.32m)
- Jess Bone (300m 45.0, shot 8.82m)
- Sophie Penn (1500m 5:40, discus 13.78m)
- Isabelle Holmes (hammer 33.62m)
- Heidi Woodley (1500m 5:05)
- Erin McDermott (1500m 5:51)
- Jessica Thomson (800m 3:01, long jump 3.35m)
- Evie Abbot (hurdles 15.5)
- Esme Thomas (800m 2:37, discus 12.62m)
- Summer Smith (1500m 4.32.3, discus 18.89m)
- Aria Sabado (800m 2:31.3)
- Ella Fagan (1500m 5:28.7)
- Hollie Poyton (800m 2:37.7, triple jump 8.71m)
- Sophie Bickerstaff (1500m 4:55.7)
Inter boys (years 9 and 10):
- Will Hughes (1500m 4:48, discus 16.30m)
- Kenny Onwuka (300m 40.3, high jump 1.53m)
- George Bangs (800m 2:10.8)
- Kairhys Hoyte (100m 12.2, triple jump 9.53m)
- Ben Morden (200m 24.2, triple jump 9.67m)
Hackney Half Marathon, London
Brotherly half marathon action in east London. Scott Brooks (1hr19) produced a great run at the Hackney Half, and brother Kurt Brooks (1:28.07) was looking strong too.
Loughborough International
U20 Max Sanderson (8:38.35) stepped up to the Loughborough International and ran 3000m in high quality company.
Stratford Speed, Stratford
Hot conditions at Stratford Speed did not slow the Beagles sprinters. Max Cheetham (23.93) produced another superb 200m, while vet Stuart Carter (12.75) battled the heat over 100m.
Sutcliffe Park Meeting
U14 Lianne Esterhuysen (5:03.67) put in a strong effort over 1500m at Sutcliffe Park.
Watford Open Meeting, 27 May
A warm Wednesday evening at Watford saw more good running. U14 Madison Kindler (4:26.29) looked very fast in the opening stages of her 1500m, and U16 Sophie Bickerstaff (9:57.37) took 5 seconds off her 3000m personal best.
ISA Athletics Regional Qualifier
A family double at the ISA regional qualifier. Colm Forrest was 2nd in the 600m to qualify for the ISA national finals, and his sister Amelia (20.22m) was 3rd in the howler, an amazing effort.
Serpentine 5k
Four Beagles took on the Serpentine 5k and three came away with personal bests. Robin Smith (16:49) was 3rd overall with a PB, Summer Smith (17:05) was first female home, and Emily Brewington (19:18) and Blossom Smith (19:19) both ran new bests, finishing within a second of each other.
Ealing Eagles Mile
U14 Sophia Davies (4:58) rounded off a fine month with a new mile personal best at the Ealing Eagles mile event.
Eastern AA Track and Field Championships, Cambridge
A very hot day in Cambridge for the Eastern AA Track and Field Championships, and a brilliant return of 4 Eastern titles and 2 bronze medals for the Beagles.
Max Cheetham (11.60 in his heat) was the star of the sprints, winning U14 100m gold in a PB of 11.55 in the final, then backing it up with 200m gold, running 24.57 in the heat and 24.51 in the final. Two Eastern titles in one afternoon.
U16 Jess Bone (52.92) was 3rd in the 300m hurdles for a bronze medal and a PB, and all the more impressive for being her first time competing in the event. U14 Sofia Ewen (2:50.35) ran an excellent first ever 800m, racing with real maturity.
U16 Robyn Colyer (29.00) ran the 200m final and added her best javelin throw of 25.81m and a new long jump PB of 4.56m, a busy and productive day.
The distance runners kept the medals coming. U14 Lianne Esterhuysen (5:01.37) was dominant in winning the 1500m final for gold, U18 Zara Morley (11.01.14) took U18 3000m gold, and U16 Amalie Twydell (11:34.52) was 3rd in the U16 3000m for bronze. Photos thanks to @coach66flix and Daniel E.
Steeplechase Race, Brighton
U18 Evie Warn (5:16.92) continues to progress in the steeplechase, this time over 1500m in Brighton.
Basildon Quadrathlon, Basildon
What a turnout to close the month. The U10s competed over 50m, 400m, standing long jump and the howler throw, while the U12s took on 75m, 600m, long jump and the howler. Here is how all 28 Beagles got on.
U10 girls:
- Priya Shina-Grant (50m 8.90, 400m 1:26.0, standing long jump 1.71m, howler 21.75m for the 3rd best throw in the competition), 5th overall
- Arielle Williams (50m 9.00, 400m 1:34.1, standing long jump 1.60m, howler 14.88m), 9th overall
- Danel Esterhuysen (50m 9.40, 400m 1:25.2, standing long jump 1.59m, howler 15.19m), 10th
- Freya Brewington (50m 9.20, 400m 1:32.10, standing long jump 1.52m, howler 10.42m), 11th
- Harriet Fletcher (50m 9.40, 400m 1:30.8, standing long jump 1.53m, howler 11.55m), 12th
- Sage Kernohan (50m 10.10, 400m 1:51.4, standing long jump 1.48m, howler 14.34m), 17th
- Elsie Denham (50m 9.30, standing long jump 1.23m, howler 14.98m), 18th
U10 boys:
- Ilias Dunbar (50m 8.20 for 3rd overall in that event, 400m 1:18.5, standing long jump 1.63m, howler 22.09m), 4th overall
- Karthik Prabhu (50m 8.40, 400m 1:17.3 for 3rd overall in that event, standing long jump 1.61m, howler 18.90m), 6th
- Jesse Rowell (50m 8.60, 400m 1:16.6 for 2nd overall in that event, standing long jump 1.60m, howler 22.70m), 7th
- Sean Connor (50m 8.70, 400m 1:18.4 for 2nd, standing long jump 1.65m, howler 22.00m), 8th
- Jack Fitzgerald (50m 9.20, 400m 1:24.4 for 2nd, standing long jump 1.50m, howler 18.72m), 16th
U12 girls:
- Elise Gosling (75m 11.40, 600m 2:01.4, long jump 3.06m, howler 17.73), 5th overall
- Lily Tyler (75m 12.60, 600m 2:05.3, long jump 2.84m, howler 24.70m), 7th overall
- Ivy Kernohan (75m 11.90, 600m 2:22.4, long jump 2.84m, howler 25.21m for 3rd overall in the event), 10th overall
- Anaiya Obika (75m 11.50, 600m 2:26.5, long jump 3.40m, howler 17.65m), 14th overall
- Thea Clark (75m 12.20, 600m 2:00.5 for 3rd overall in the event, long jump 2.92m, howler 11.20m), 22nd overall
- Sofia Boisvert (75m 12.20, 600m 2:16.4, long jump 2.94m, howler 17.01m), 23rd overall
- Maggie Denham (75m 12.70, 600m 2:21.4, long jump 2.67m, howler 13.12m), 35th overall
- Saoirse Taylor-Lynch (75m 12.10, 600m 2:19.20, long jump 2.05m, howler 11.84m), 36th overall
U12 boys:
- Alex Smith (75m 11.10, 600m 1:58.2, long jump 3.61m, howler 25.90m), 6th overall
- James Fitzgerald (75m 11.80, 600m 1:56.3, long jump 2.88m, howler 33.69m), 7th overall
- Leo Rowell (75m 11.70, 600m 2:06.0, long jump 3.33m, howler 25.25m), 15th overall
- George Kyprianou (75m 12.40, 600m 1:57.60, long jump 3.12m, howler 26.32m), 16th overall
- Tommy Scott (75m 12.7, 600m 2:03.5, long jump 2.89m, howler 28.81m), 19th overall
- Leo Boisvert (75m 12.30, 600m 1:57.4, long jump 3.23m, howler 21.95m), 19th overall
- Zak Robinson (75m 11.90, 600m 2:00.5, long jump 2.47m, howler 19.24m), 24th overall
- Arlo Johnson (75m 12.30, 600m 2:18.9, long jump 2.93m, howler 21.30m), 25th overall
Thanks to all of the parents who helped out at the event in Basildon, and to our two photographers on the day, @coach66flix (photos) and Daniel E (photos), who made sure every Beagle had their moment captured.
Hurdle Fest, Chelmsford
U16 Emmanuel Oyedele (14.30) closed the month with two great runs over the 100m hurdles at Hurdle Fest in Chelmsford, improving to 14.17 for a new personal best.
Thank you as always to @coach66flix, Daniel E, Mark T and Tamara for the photos and updates, to the coaches who have guided athletes through a packed racing month, and to the officials, volunteers and parents who gave up their time, particularly at the Essex County Championships and the Basildon Quadrathlon.
Looking ahead, Colm Forrest has the ISA national finals to come after his qualifying run, and with the summer track season in full swing there is plenty more Beagles racing on the way. Best of luck to everyone in a vest.
Frequently asked questions
Which Brentwood Beagles won titles at the Eastern AA Track and Field Championships in Cambridge in May 2026?
Brentwood Beagles won four Eastern titles in Cambridge on 30 May 2026: Max Cheetham took U14 100m gold in a personal best 11.55 and U14 200m gold in 24.51, Lianne Esterhuysen won the U14 1500m in 5:01.37, and Zara Morley won the U18 3000m in 11.01.14. Jess Bone (300m hurdles, 52.92) and Amalie Twydell (U16 3000m, 11:34.52) both took bronze.
How did Brentwood Beagles perform at the Essex County Championships in May 2026?
On day two of the Essex County Championships the club recorded 4 gold medals, 1 silver and 3 bronze along with numerous personal bests. Winners included Madison Kindler in the 800m (2:17.73) and 1500m (4:39.56), Max Cheetham in the U14 200m, Max Sanderson in the U20 3000m (8:46.68), Sophie Bickerstaff in the U16 3000m (10:17.57) and Zara Morley in the U18 3000m (10:32.89).
Who won the Alf Wilkins trophy at the 2026 Bannister Mile in Oxford?
Madison Kindler of Brentwood Beagles retained the Alf Wilkins trophy for the fastest U14 girl at the Bannister Mile in Oxford on 4 May 2026, running 4:57.46, her third successive win of the trophy.
Which quadrathlons did Brentwood Beagles juniors compete in during May 2026?
Beagles juniors competed at the Southend Quadrathlon on 3 May 2026, where Margot Zaymann was 4th overall in the U10 girls after winning the 50m in 8.68, and at the Basildon Quadrathlon on 31 May 2026, where 28 Beagles competed and Ilias Dunbar was 4th overall in the U10 boys.
What were the standout distance performances for Brentwood Beagles in May 2026?
Madison Kindler ran a 1500m PB of 4:25.21 at the BMC meeting in Somerset to extend her age group UK lead, Sophia Davies won Middlesex U14 1500m gold in 4:39.05 and ran a mile PB of 4:58 at the Ealing Eagles mile, Sophie Bickerstaff set a 3000m PB of 9:57.37 at Watford, and Robin Smith was 3rd at the Serpentine 5k in a PB 16:49 with Summer Smith first female in 17:05.