ELLIOT Doughty continued his excellent start to the new season by smashing his personal best at the British Milers’ Club PB Classic held at Millfield School, Somerset, on Monday evening.

The 14-year-old Swindon Harrier delivered an excellent tactical run to win the E race in a time of two minutes and 6.04 seconds as he sprinted clear of the field.

“That is another four seconds off his personal best and there is still more to come,” said coach Bryan Clinton.

“Elliot ran a very good race; tucked in at the start and then picked his moment to go decisively. He is learning to race the 800m and I can see him going under 2:05 this summer.”

For Doughty, it was his second personal best in the 800m this season.

He opened up with 2:10 when representing the Harriers in the Southern League to shave 1.78 seconds off his 2015 record and has now made a huge leap forward with a time that puts him 10th in the South West Rankings for under 17 men.

In addition, Doughty has also clocked PBs at 400m (54.8 seconds) and 600m (1:32.4).

The teenager was one of two Harriers winners, with rookie Harriet Hillman winning the 800m F race in a PB of 2:33.18, which puts her second in the South West Rankings for under 13 girls.

There were also several other fine performances.

In the men’s 800m A race, 19-year-old South West champion Ciaran Cooper clocked 1:54.21 to finish as runner-up in his first two-lapper of the summer.

“Unfortunately, the pace-maker wasn’t quick enough and Ciaran decided to take the lead early on and was in front until 700m,” added coach Clinton.

“He was overtaken by a couple of lads then, but he fought back to grab second. It was a strong opener for the season and both he and I are happy with that. He will get better.”

There were three other Harriers at the meeting and all recorded PBs.

Ben McIntyre ran an English Schools’ qualifying time of 2:04.53 in the 800m D race, Ethan Pierce was ninth in the 1500m and teenager Sophie Capel was third in the mixed H race.

In addition, Tetbury-based athlete Zoe Wassell, formerly of Malmesbury School, ran a PB of 10:05.56 in the 3000m.

n SWINDON Harriers’ Will Crisp won the 800m at the UK Youth Development League U20/17 Midland South One match in Herford in two minutes and 00.50 seconds.