An invitation to compete against Olympian Richard Kilty in the Tynedale Invitational Sprints at Hexham inspired Jordan Beavers to smash the Sunderland Harriers 100m record which has stood for 27 years. He dipped under 11 seconds for the first time in smashing Phillip Stevenson’s long-standing record by two-hundredths of a second in recording 10.98 in finishing fourth.
Kilty, who clocked 10.52, was chasing a qualifying time for the Tokyo Olympics which he failed to do, but he still gained selection for the relay squad.
Beavers, who celebrated his 20th birthday in July said: “This was an unbelievable moment for me and the experience was amazing and of course I was proud to represent Sunderland Harriers in the competition and breaking the record".
In February 2020, before lockdown, he was crowned Under-20 North Eastern Counties Athletics Association 60m and long jump indoor champion.
His long-time coach Andy Abbott said: “This is some consolation for Jordan after Covid 19. It was a particular blow to him in 2020 with competitions cancelled. He would have been in his final year as an Under-20 with records within his grasp. This year will be a year of consolidation after moving up to the senior ranks, and breaking the 100m senior club record".
“In June he cleared 6.93m in the long jump, only an inch short of Charlie Ellis’ senior club record set in 1996. He is also chasing Pip Stevenson’s 200m record of the same era. We are now concentrating our efforts on 2022 and a full year of training and competition.”
Beavers joined the Harriers as a 11-year-old. He said “I started off the same way most people do. I came down to the track with my parents with no thought in the world other than I wanted to run. When I got going, I was confronted by Andy explaining that the track was being used by Sunderland Harriers. At that age I turned my head up to the offer given by Andy to join in as I was very shy."
“Eventually I started competing, I was always the smallest and the slowest by far. The boys I competed against were a foot taller than me if not more. 2012 was the first year I entered a competition and I ran 100m in 15.3 seconds, 200m in 34.3 seconds and I jumped 3.31 metres".
“Andy is one of, if not the biggest motivator that has stuck by me since the first day I stepped onto the track. I have an undeniable amount of passion not only for athletics as a whole but for the club I run for".
“Throughout my career I have had a number of critical injuries ranging from a pulled hip flexor to a snapped ligament in my ankle. I have been doubted and been pushed aside by people that think I will not achieve. I have been told that I would never run the same again but those words only made me a stronger person. I will make those who have stuck by me proud and I will one day be one of the best.’’