Slovak Slanickova retains title at Hexham - heptathlon
Kiwi decathlete McLaren - falls short of Olympic Goal in the 10 events - decathlon 

The 16th edition of the Hexham Meeting provided a number of athletes with the last chance opportunity to qualify for London 2012. The heptathlon was lined with a host of international athletes, including last years winner Lucia Slanickova (SVK) who showed consistancy over the 7 events but only took the overall lead after the 800m.

Slanickova was behind the overnight leader Ellinore Hallin of Sweden who won the hurdles in a fast 13.72sec, 

Estonian Mari Klaup took the high jump with 1.78 and GB international Grace Clements won the Shot with a new PB of 13.27m.

The athletes were aided by generous winds in the hurdles and 200m and Hallin maintained her consistancy with a strong 200m of 24.82sec to lead day one with 3535 points

The second day was dominated by Slanickova who showed her class in the LJ (6.10m), Javelin (41.35m), and winning the 800m  with 2:16.18 to retain her title at Hexham with a new personal best of 5780 points ahead of Hallin with 5690pts.

In the decathlon, Jamaican Claston Bernard fell victim of a career ending achilles injury during the long jump, while Kiwi Scott McLaren and Commonwealth games medalist Martin Brockman battled with each other throughout the two days. McLaren led the decathlon with strong performances in the first 3 events (11.01/713/14.40) and went into the second day with a narrow lead of 11 points. The schedule he set himself received a setback with a hurdles of 15.49 despite wind of +4.2m/s. McLarens consistancy was underlined by a 41.10 discus and an impress 4.72m in the PV (despite strong cross winds). Brockman was refusing to let McLaren have his own way when he also set a personal best in the pole vault with 4.72m.

In the final 2 events McLaren increased his lead with 60.12 in tje Jav against Brockman’s 51.93m. Going into the final event McLaren set his target at breaking 770pts and did that with a 4:34.45 in the 1500m.

McLaren’s 7713 was the 4th bets performance at Hexham 130 points behind Dean Macey 7843 meeting record.