In the last event of the BUCS athletics calendar, the best multi-eventers will battle it out to see who is the best all-round athlete at the BUCS Combined Events Championships. A jam-packed two-day affair, it will definitely be a rollercoaster of a weekend.
Men’s Decathlon
The men’s decathlon is the only category available for men at the BUCS Combined Events Championships. Consisting of ten events, it takes the same form as the Olympic decathlon. Taking place over two days, it is a grueling competition for everyone competing. The schedule runs as follows:
Day 1
- 100m
- Long Jump
- Shot Put
- High Jump
- 400m
Day 2
- 110m Hurdles
- Discus
- Pole Vault
- Javelin
- 1500m
With such a variety in the events of a decathlon, it is undoubtedly one of the greatest competitions in athletics. Testing speed, strength and skill, overall athleticism is crucial for high performers.
The highest ranked athlete going into the BUCS Combined Events Championships so far this year is Sam Talbot. The Sheffield University athlete has already won the Bryan Clay Invitational in the United States this year – a testament to his prowess in the decathlon. However, the championships will be a season opener for many athletes, so the victor is still very much undecided. Athletes like Evan Campbell for the University of Birmingham may have slipped under the radar coming into the championships, but will be challenging for top spots.
Women’s Heptathlon
Similar to the decathlon, the heptathlon is a gruelling competition that will test the athleticism of all the participants at the BUCS Combined events Championships. The schedule for the heptathlon runs as follows:
Day 1
- 100m Hurdles
- High Jump
- Shot Put
- 200m
Day 2
- Long Jump
- Javelin
- 800m
Having more events on the first day may seem to be favourable, but this is not the case. All the athletes will certainly feel drained coming into the second day, so it will be a battle of wills to see who can come out on top.
In a similar vein to the men, the women’s heptathlon is wide open in terms of who will win. With numerous heptathletes yet to make their season openers, it is pretty much impossible to call who will come out on top. Natasha Smith of Loughborough University is one of the favourites going into the event due to her personal best in the heptathlon earlier in the year.
Overall, the BUCS Combined Events Championships will be a battle of wills between the best overall athletes in the UK. The event will be taking place in Bedford, but there will be a livestream of the event on the BUCS social channels.
