Max Burgin, Scott Lincoln progress despite being off-key as Archie Yeo produces stunning leap in Birmingham

The 24-year-old from Halifax won his men’s 800m heat on the opening morning at the Alexander Stadium, clocking 1:45.80 to advance into Wednesday lunchtime’s semi-finals.

Burgin exited at the same stage in Glasgow but now feels in better shape as he bids for an upturn in fortunes.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this,” he said.

“I have felt pretty rough the past week or so and haven't managed to do too much running at all. The bits I have done haven’t inspired much confidence.

“But I had a good pre-race stride session at the weekend, and I was feeling a bit better in myself.

“I went into the heat just thinking I'd approach it a bit more conservatively, with more traditional tactics, but it ended up being a lot faster than the Commonwealth Games heat.

“It went well, and I was happy with how I ran it. I'm happy with my kick finish – it’s always good to know I've still got one, as I don't often get any use out of it.

“It was a good run out, and I’m looking forward to the semis.”

There was disappointment in the same event for York’s Alex Botterill, who was sixth in his heat and missed out on the semi-finals.

The 26-year-old, who finished fifth in the Commonwealth Games final, ran out of steam on the home straight here and crossed in 1:46.90.

“I am devastated,” he said. “I expected a lot more of myself, and we've worked so hard for it.

“I got myself in the right position coming down the home straight, and I had nothing, my body just gave up on me.

“Maybe Glasgow took its toll more than I thought it would.”

York’s Scott Lincoln qualified for Monday night’s shot putt in sixth place with a final attempt of 19m96. He said: “This morning was all about getting through to the finals. It took me three attempts, but the job has been done.”

Hull long jumper Archie Yeo – a former British indoor champion - qualified for Tuesday night’s final by landing a 7m92 jump with his final attempt.

“I am elated, I can’t quite believe that,” he said. “I love Birmingham, it’s normally here for British Champs but that was even better. Hopefully for that final, I’ll send it out a little more.

“It’s insane. Last August, I dislocated my hip and they thought I wasn’t going to jump again. To be back jumping, to go eight (metres) this season and be in a European final, it is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Yeo qualified for the continental showpiece with an 8.06m personal best at this year’s Novuna UK Athletics Championships at the same Alexander Stadium track in June.

He was in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games as part of the Team England Futures programme but more performances like this will show his time is now.

He began with a 7.72m leap in Birmingham but overstepped second time around, putting all the pressure on his final jump.

The 23-year-old stripped it back to basics and got the job done, delighting the home crowd with his celebrations.

“I was lost, I didn’t know what was going on,” he said. “The crowd were happy for me and it was all cool.

“We had been drilling in since British champs. The first six strides, I wanted to keep it really basic, really simple and just go from there. I got on the runway, and it was a case of ‘right, execute, and hope for the best for the rest of it.

“I will cool down, get some food, get some sleep. I will keep it basic and simple, nothing too out there, and then let’s send it.”

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