A Wirral teenager has announced himself on the national athletics stage after an outstanding performance at the English Schools Athletics’ Association championships in Birmingham.
Record-breaking run at Alexander Stadium
Jay Husain, a 14-year-old pupil at Calday Grange Grammar School who trains with Warriors Pentathlon and Athletics Club, clocked a new personal best of 37.09 seconds in the 300 metres hurdles to take gold at Alexander Stadium.
The time not only secured the English Schools title but also saw Husain overturn a string of age-group benchmarks: he bettered the U16 championship record, surpassed the UK and European marks for his category and registered the fastest U18 seasonal time in the world for 2026.
“As I was coming off the last hurdle, I could tell it was a fast race. You can see the clock and I knew I was a lot faster than normal. Then I got through the finish line and realised it was a massive PB,”
Husain said he had been close to a medal the previous year and that this victory felt particularly significant. He credited a rigorous training regime under coach Andy Fraser for his rapid progression after moving up from the 80m hurdles earlier this season.
Local roots and support
Husain’s development has taken place on the Wirral. He trains alongside his older brother, Luke, who is noted as being ranked second in the UK for the 400m hurdles. The club environment and family encouragement have been important elements in his rise.
- Age: 14
- Club: Warriors Pentathlon and Athletics Club
- School: Calday Grange Grammar School
- New personal best: 37.09s
- Next major event: England Athletics Age Group Championship, Bedford (25–26 July)
What the time represents
Husain’s performance is notable for its breadth of impact across age categories: the run broke local championship and national age records, registered on the European stage, and placed him at the top of the U18 seasonal list worldwide. Those benchmarks mark him out as one of the country’s most promising young hurdlers and create heightened expectation ahead of national age-group competition in Bedford later this month.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Personal best (300m hurdles) | 37.09s |
| Championships | English Schools Athletics’ Association gold |
| Records affected | U16 championship, UK and European age records; U18 world lead (2026) |
Husain’s father highlighted the long-term investment behind the result, noting the commitment required during early-morning or late-evening sessions that often go unseen. Coach Andy Fraser is credited with recognising and developing Husain’s potential from an early age.
As the England Athletics Age Group Championship approaches, attention will turn to whether Husain can translate his school-level dominance into national age-group success. For Wirral athletics, the performance offers a boost to local clubs and young athletes, demonstrating the pathway from school and club competition to national and international recognition.
