Birmingham became the centre of British Track and Field once again over the weekend as the National Championships returned to Alexander Stadium for the first time since 2019.

Zharnel Hughes stole the majority of the headlines over the weekend as Britain's fastest ever man pulled away from the rest of the field to take the men’s 100m (9.94s)  title on Saturday ahead of Jeremiah Azu (9.97) and Louis Hinchcliffe (10.01) before returning on Sunday to storm his way to a Championship record of 19.90 in the 200m. 

Hughes said following his 100m title retention “I really knew I could win today and I got a sub-10, which is really important for me. I really wanted to be here and get a run in and feel my legs in the rounds. It could have been faster but I can build on this.  It is nice to hear your name being called out from the stands.”

In the Women’s 100m Amy Hunt took the title in 11.02s following the disqualification of Daryl Neita for a false start, Neita had already set the qualifying time earlier in the day with a 11.00 clocking. 

In the women’s 200m on Sunday both Hunt and Neita breezed into the final alongside 2019 World Champion Dina Asher-Smith. The trio all won their individual and would deliver the race of the day in the final. 

Following a strong start from Neta and Asher Smith, Hunt began to move from the rest of the field in the closing 80m. With Neita dropping off Hunt stayed on Asher Smith’s Shoulder with the pair crossing the line tantalisingly close. Following a photo finish review the title was given to Asher-Smith in another Championship Record time of 22.14. 

In the 800m Max Burgin (1:43.92) took the men’s 800m race with ease ahead of Tiarnan Crorken 1:45.56 and Alex Botterill 1:45.57. Georgia Hunter Bell took the women’s title adding to the rumours that the 1500m Olympic medalist may look to compete in the double in Tokyo.

The women’s 1500m came down to the wire as a group of six came round the final bend for a sprint race to the line. Revee Walcott Nolan, Erin Wallace and Laura Muir lead the sprint 

out but it was Scot Sarah Calvert who made a late charge on the outside to secure the title with Walcott Nolan in second and Muir in third. 

The men’s race was as dramatic, following physical heats on the Saturday the sunday final saw Neil Gourley and Elliot Giles collide in the final 100m before Gourley pulled away (3:47.06). Both men had already qualified for Tokyo.  

The 5000m provided classic races over as Saturday saw Hannah Nuttall seek revenge on 2024 where she took the national title but missed the UKA Olympic qualification time but just 0.65 seconds. Nuttall stormed to the title in an impressive 15:46.90 booking her seat on the plane to Tokyo. 

In the men’s race World 1500m Champion Josh Kerr decided to go up a distance and made it look easy as he and fellow Scot Rory Leonard pulled away with 600m to go before Kerr kicked on and amped up the crowd round the final bend cruising home in 13:44.73.

In the field Jazmin Sawyers made a triumphant return to the Championships taking the win in the Women’s Long Jump with a distance of 6.82. Morgan Lake won her 16th overall British title in the Women’s High Jump leaping to 1.90m continuing a successful season following victory at her home Diamond League a fortnight ago. 2024 Indoor World Champion Molly Caudery also made a return to form, taking the pole vault title with a height of 4.85.

In the women’s hammer Anna Purchase threw a championship record of 72.96m. With Harrow AC’s Adelaide Omitowuju taking the triple jump title with a personal best of 13.62m. In the women’s shot put Adelle Nichol of host club Birchfield Harriers took the British crown with a throw of 17.17m. This was following titles for 21-year-old Zara Obamakinwa in the women’s discus (55.90).

In the men’s field events the high jump title was shared by Divine Duruaku and Charlie Husbands (2.14). The Men’s shot put title went to Scott Lincoln (20.77) with Lawrence Okoye throwing a championship record 65.93m to win the men’s discus. Alessandro Schenini took home the men’s long jump title (7.85W) to round out the field action on day 1. 

Day 2 opened with a dramatic men’s triple jump that saw Archie Yeo move from first to third to take the title with a final round jump of 15.79. In the men’s pole vault Owen Heard of Harrow AC took the title with a height of 5.45. To round out the field action for the weekend Jake Norris took the hammer title with a throw of 74.08m.