AFTER three glittering decades competing in the Hampshire County Championships, racewalker Jim Ball has nearly 50 gold medals stashed away.

But throughout those glory years he has never made such light work of the 3,000 metres as his 17-year-old son Nick on Saturday. Watched by three Grade 1 judges, Barton Peveril student Nick tore round the Mountbatten Centre track to win the under-20 event in 12 minutes 23.08 seconds. Not only did it better Jim's existing Championship best in that age-group but it was also fractionally faster than his dad's senior best of 12.23.6 dating back to 1987.

Not that Jim was complaining. Having had 47 or 48 golds (he's lost count!) for the past couple of seasons, he scored a rare recent victory over Aldershot's Nick Silvester in the senior 3,000m to edge closer to a half-century of individual titles.

For the first time, Ball senior was joined on the Portsmouth track by not one, but two of his talented sons. Down in the under-13 age-group, 11-year-old Chris made his county debut over 2,000m, finishing second to Nick Silvester's son Michael.

For Nick Ball, next stop is Hungary this Saturday and the European Cup of Racewalking. Taking on the likes of Russia, Spain and Italy over 10k will be a tough task for the youngster, who is streets ahead of his British rivals.

The 44.05 personal best he clocked at Leamington last month underlined his status as national number one and he is unbeaten domestically for four years.

"The next fastest walker is six minutes behind him for the 10k," said Jim.

Chris, a Wildern School pupil, has his own overseas date next month. Along with Michael Silvester, he has earned an England international vest in Dublin.