Oh what a night...

Amazing! Audacious! Unbelievable! And they were just the comments about Will Latta's headband!!!

I've just got back from a great evening session down at the track where we've secured our first athletics medal of the games, a gold for John 'Boy' Halligan. Hopefully its the first of many, and if the performances of today are anything to go by this certainly won't be the last medal for the team this week...

First up today was the half marathon. In typically scorching conditions the mens event was won in an impressive 73 minutes. First home for us was Andy Fox, who turned back the clock yet again to defy his 47 years and came home 8th. Next in was Kevin Loundes, who unfortunately hit the wall (so to speak) around the 15km mark, but still finished in 13th in a time that was far from disgraceful in the testing conditions. Kevin's finish resembled our very own Chris Quine stumbling out of Colours at 3 in the morning (except Kev looked more graceful) but a cracking test of willpower to see it through having looked to be gone a few km out. Ed Gumbley finished in 18th place, and i learned a valuable lesson... NEVER put your arm around a long distance runner just after they've finished - not the nicest feeling in the world!!

Gail and Sam also appeared to 'enjoy' their first Games outing, both athletes finishing within 2 minutes of each other. Gail is obvioulsy after an acting career after the games, as crossing the line she gave her best Oddjob impression, whipping off her cap and throwing in (unwittingly i admit) at an official!!

Onto the evening session... Shaun's performance in the High Jump was certainly respectable in the testing conditions. He wasn't helped by some Walter Mitty-esque officiating, and although he will be disappointed he should take credit from another good performance in a big event. Tom Riley and Will Latta were in cruise mode in the 200m heats, Tom looking effortless and Will looking, erm, like a 60s throwback! Seriously though, the lads will be looking forward to the semis tomorrow morning with high hopes and both look good for a place in the final.

Gemma and Rachael were simply brilliant in the 1500m. To come out in their first games and post times that, incidentally, would have seen them take the silver and bronze medals in Shetland shows just how well they ran. Neither athlete was unfazed and both stuck to their pre-race plans. Both girls will be fighting for podium places in Aland i'm sure, and you have to remember that this is neither girls' strongest event!!!

Andy Duncan, fresh from his recent heartbreak, showed John just what he's missing out on by running a brave 800m heat and qualified 3rd. Its never easy to front run, especially with the wind so strong on the back straight, and he also broke 2 minutes for only the second time in his life... there's a lot more to come from Andrew this week i feel.

I'll save the best for last of course though. John ran a tactically PERFECT (note the capitals, it was that good) race, not forcing the pace until about 500m out when he blew the opposition away - Gebreselassie would have been proud of that kick! I'm made up for John as not only has he broken his games duck but also beat his previous nemesis, Lee Garland, in the process. Having promised myself that i'd be conservative at these games and save my voice for the relays, i went and lost it didn't i. In fact, according to Caroline Brand i was so purple when shouting that it looked like i'd lose consciousness as well!!!

I'm off for a bite to eat and to try and find my voice, hopefully more of the same from me tomorrow!!!