Jay Lelliott back to best to win 1500m gold at Summer Champs

Jay Lelliott clocked his fastest time for two years to land senior 1500m Freestyle gold on day three of the 2016 British Summer Championships.

The University of Bath swimmer was in a class of his own in the fast heat, touching nearly 18 seconds clear of the field in 15:04.97.

Lelliott’s time was the second fastest of his career, behind his 14:58.74 effort to finish fifth in the 2014 European final in Berlin.

Wow, what a first few days at nationals! chuffed to win the 1500free tonight! Now for a couple days of chilling before the 200free sunday!?

— Jay Lelliott (@mrlelliott53) July 28, 2016

He broke the English short course record for gold at the 2015 ASA Winter Meet but withdrew from the final at the 2016 Olympic Trials after qualifying fifth fastest from the heats.

Royal Wolverhampton School’s Tom Derbyshire was second fastest overall as he claimed the 17/18 Yrs title.

The 18-year old, who won the European Junior title last month, clocked 15:22.92 to finish 20 seconds clear of Thanet’s Jamie O’Connor (15:43.18).

Nathan Hughes returns to top of the podium

Nathan Hughes finished seventh behind Derbyshire on his European Junior debut this year. But the Hatfield swimmer was back on top of the podium back against his own age group and on the national stage.

Hughes touched in 15:33.45 to take the crown, ahead of teammate Luke Turley – who touched him out in a thrilling 400m Free final on the opening night. Turley ducked under 16 minutes for the first time on the way to a PB 15:48.17.

William Bell completed the 400m and 1500m Freestyle double in the youngest 13/14 Yrs age group.

The City of Leicester swimmer was defending his title in the 1500m Free, having won by more than 20 seconds as a 13-year old 12 months ago.

And it was little surprise to see Bell back on the top step of the podium, taking his PB down to 16:17.14 to capture gold.

City of Birmingham’s Sam Osborne placed sixth behind Bell in the 13/14 Yrs age group last year. But the youngster underlined his improvement over the past 12 months to take gold in the 15 Yrs age group.

Osborne ultimately came home in 16:13.53 for gold, knocking more than 10 seconds off his previous lifetime best from May this year.

• Click here to view results from the 2016 British Summer Championships in Sheffield.