Wow… what a day! With a record entry and the highest number of top UK vaulters entered since we started the event back in 2006 the event was looking like it was going to be something special. We could not have imagined though what an absolutely fantastic spectacular that we would see! The day started with the youngsters which for many was their first pole vault competition and ended with one Junior British Record, a Scottish record attempt and an attempt by Steve Lewis to gain a new UK Men’s Record having already secured the second highest ever vault by a UK Athlete.

 

The elite men’s competition saw Steve Lewis sore over 5m75 and then attempting 5m82 which would not only have been a British record but would also have been the highest jump in the world so far this year. In the same competition U20 Andrew Sutcliffe secured another personal best of 4m92 which takes him to the top of the U20 rankings and gets him into the top 30 on the U20 all times list.

 

The elite women’s competition was outstanding too… in what must have been the highest standard for a British Women’s pole vault competition with five females over 4m00 and four clear at 4m12. Kate Dennison finally came out in pole position with a 4m 30 clearance. Kate then decided to call it day after her impressive jump. Emma Lyons took a personal best of 4m18 to finish 2nd taking her into the top 10 of the all time list for the women’s vault. Louise Butterworth clinched 3rd place on count back from Henrietta Paxton who both cleared 4m12. However the performance of the women’s elite competition must have been Sally Scott’s 4m06 clearance, which is a new UK Junior Record- a 14cm improvement on her previous best of 3m92.

 

Vault Manchester 2009 has been a tremendous success seeing 93 vaulters competing a record for the event with a UK Junior Record and a British and Scottish Record attempts it shows the standard of Pole Vault in the UK is most definitely on the rise! Lets see what Vault Manchester 2010 can bring!

 

On a final note a big thank you to all the athletes, coaches, officials and spectators… the event would not have been the success that it has been without your support… we look forward to seeing you in 2010.