WHAT an outstanding season it’s been for Romsey-based masters athlete Jon Tilt.

He started the year winning a 400 metres silver medal in the 55-59 age category at the European indoor championships in Madrid – and hasn’t looked back since.

In August Jon broke the ten-year-old British record for 400m hurdles at the Masters Grand Prix in Lee Valley.

A week later came double gold in the 400m flat and hurdles at the British Masters Championships in Birmingham.

And the medal haul didn’t stop there.

Jon recently travelled to Malaga in southern Spain to represent Great Britain in the World Masters Championships.

The tournament hosted over 8,000 athletes from all corners of the planet.

In his first event, the 400m hurdles, Jon smashed the British record once again, striking gold in 59.80 seconds.

There were only a few days’ recovery before the tireless one-lapper embarked on his next challenge, the 400m.

With over 60 entrants in his age-group the standard was extremely high.

Winning the heat and semi-final gave Jon a good lane draw in the final, flanked by three other members of the British team and two strong Americans.

Coming off the final bend in fourth place, he powered ahead of the field to win in 54.71 seconds.

With GB team-mates Simon Bickers and John Wright also making the podium, the medal ceremony proved to be a moving occasion.

On the final day of the championships, Jon anchored the GB 4x400m relay team to gold and a new European record of 3.42.42.

Jon, who coaches a squad at Southampton Athletic Club, is already planning next year’s goals.

He has his sights set on the World Indoor Championships in Poland and the European Outdoor Championships in Italy.