Rory Howorth could not have dreamt of a better start to the season – even if he had written the script himself.
The 11-year-old Team Bath AC runner plundered a new UK Age 11 record for 800m and has a claim pending on the 1,500m mark, not to mention two huge personal bests and club records in the space of just over 48 hours.
Howorth went off hard in the 800m F race of the British Milers' Club PB Classic meeting at Millfield School on Monday evening.
Even though he was isolated at times, Howorth never lost his form or concentration as he finished third with a time of 2mins 11.92secs to shave 0.38secs off the previous UK Age 11 record set by Tonbridge runner Thomas Kendrick in July 2011.
"I was hoping to break 2mins 12secs, so I am delighted," said Rory.
The run completed an incredible couple of days for Howorth after he won the under-13 boys' 1,500m in 4:34.0 in the UK National Youth Development League Midland Division 1 West meeting at Yate.
Kendrick's previous UK Age record was 4:36.46 but the hesitation in claiming it is the fact that the official Great Britain Athletics website also lists Adam Hickey's mark of 4:33.6, set in 2000.
"I have sent an email to GB Athletics to clarify why the two times are listed as UK Age 11 records and if that is the case has Rory broken one of them," added his proud mum Caroline.
What is beyond dispute is that Rory stands at the top of the UK Rankings for under-13 boys for both 800m and 1,500m this year.
