RAY Hall proudly took his place on the medal podium at the British Masters Track & Field Championships in Birmingham – having taken up athletics at the age of 76!

While most masters athletes have a history of competition dating back to their younger days, Hall was what you might call a latecomer to the sport.

Feeling he could still run quite quickly, he was put in touch with over-70s sprinter Vic Novell who became his training partner and mentor.

Following a winter’s training, he took part in his first event in March, an open meeting in Portsmouth, and competed in a couple of Southern Counties Vets League matches over the summer for Southampton AC’s excellent masters team.

Fast forward to last weekend and 77-year-old Hall won bronze in the British over-75s men’s 100m at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium and followed up with fourth in the shot put.

Novell did the over-70 men’s sprint double, winning both 100m & 200m, while Southampton clubmate Mark Collins was fifth in both over-40 men’s sprints.

Becky Mulley finished runner-up in the over-35 women’s triple jump and was fourth in the long jump and fifth in the B 100m.

Jon Tilt completed a 400m flat and 400m hurdles double in the over-50 men’s age group and was also fourth in his 200m heat.

Tracy Bezance savoured victory at the double, winning the over-50 women’s 200m and 400m races.

There were third places for Ed Connolly in the over-65 men’s 800m. Del Warn in the over-50 men’s long jump – leaping a lifetime best at the age of 50, and over-65 men’s discus thrower Mike Ferne.