Herne Hill Harriers’ star Jaden Kennedy has climbed to fifth in the UK U13s all-time rankings for the 800m, and his coach could not more impressed, writes Geoff Jerwood.

Kennedy, 2, was competing at the Woking Athletics Club Evening Open meeting last week, where his time of two minutes 6.35 seconds placed him fifth in a field of senior runners.

He was already the fastest U13 over the distance this season, but his time now means he has run six seconds faster than his nearest rival.

Coach James McDonald said: “Recently Jaden has been running against the clock, but in Woking he was up against giants with everyone in the race, bar one at least over a foot taller than he was.

“At the bell he was boxed in and with about 320m to go, he managed to extricate himself and powered along the back straight overtaking much older athletes.”

He added: “It was an outstanding performance, and I have not long been told that the world record for a 12-year-old is 2:03 – so who knows?”

Kennedy was also in action at the South of England Championships, where he clocked 2:12.47 to win the U13s 800m.

Katie Balme won silver in the U17 women’s 1,500m steeplechase clocking 5:25.80, while Daniel Kale finished fourth in the U17 men’s 200m, Jessica Collins was equal fourth in the U15 girls’ high jump and Cara Russell was fifth in the U15 girls’ 100m.