World Record for Thames Valley’s Eddie Betts

TVH 400 hurdler, Eddie Betts, broke new ground last week setting a new World Record for the men’s 45-49 age group twice in successive races. On 6th July Eddie clocked 54.99 in Corrales de Buelna, Santander; the first time the 55 second barrier had been breached. Just 3 days later in Palencia, Eddie improved his own record to an incredible 54.92 seconds.

Eddie has been in great from for a while having won a silver medal in the World Masters Championships in Lyon last August in the 40-44 age group. Moving up an age group earlier this year has clearly inspired Eddie to even greater heights, with last weeks’ races being his fastest times over the sticks for four years.

Eddie has been an outstanding servant of the Valley for 20 years, competing regularly in the British League team right up to 2011. Eddie relocated to Spain almost 13 years ago, and last year opened an English Academy, so work commitments make it difficult to get over to the UK very often to represent the club. However, his recent performances mean that he wouldn’t be out of place at the top tier of club athletics, so don’t rule out seeing Eddie run over the sticks as the Valley return to the Premier Division in 2017.