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Michael George wins Sara Killey Memorial Walk from Richard Gerrard
Pictures from the start by Margaid Gosschalk
The Sara Killey Memorial 50k was a good race to watch, writes Graham Young. For the most
part, the weather was perfect for the majority of people- overcast and almost
windless.
Up until the half distance, the lead was
shared by Jock Waddington, Vinny Lynch and Richard Gerrard in close
company, each alternating with the pacemaking. Michael George stuck to his
pre-race plan to walk an even-paced 5 hours, and stalked the bunch 30 seconds
or so adrift. The leaders covered 20km in 1.58.
Approaching the Lhen, Jock upped the pace
and put in a final effort before respecting a niggle in the ham-string that has
kept him off the racing scene of late. He called it a day just a couple of
miles short of his intended target of Bride.
Vinny Lynch appeared to stiffen up at this
stage, and retired at the first of the climbs approaching the northernmost
church with hip problems ,just after being caught by Michael who went into
the lead briefly. Then Richard found himself at the sharp
end a significant race for the first time, when Michael lost time taking
on food, and throttled back on the climb.
Michael re-took the lead on the gradually
downhill out of the village, and opened a gap in the region of 30 seconds.
However, just when his support team went straight ahead through Andreas to
the Post Office Stores, and the course diverted to skirt the village,
Michael, not for the first time in his career, was sick, and required a drink
of water.
This eventually remedied, he again
eased ahead, with a buffer for a long time of around 30 seconds. Despite a very
gallant effort by Richard, this very gradually increased in the closing
stages.
Michael's winning time of 5 hours 3
minutes, was around 13 minutes faster than last year, although on that
occasion he did start late.
RESULTSR
Pictures of Michael George passing Richard Gerrard twice (before Bride hills and after Bride) and winning by Graham Young. Michael added the unofficial Manx 50km title to his recent 10km Manx Championship win.
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