Thursday 21st July 2005

Approaching The Hope on lap1, Lauren Whelan (119) heading the Junior 1500m race and on her way to a PB in 7m 59s. Bridget Kaneen (164) was pleased with 54m 51s holding off a persistent challenge from coach Allan Callow (175) who finished runner up on the road in 55m 17s

Fastest on the night Bridget Kaneen and David Quine, winner on handicap

Chelsea Hall (125) competed in her first ever walk in the Junior 1500m race. Dave Quine (second left) and Steph Gault (177) were also racewalking competitively for the first time. Andi Cunningham (179) competed over 10K for the first time after an enjoyable 5K on the Access Road last month. Allan Gault (176) is a regular runner and this was his first racewalk since he competed in the 1988 Post Office 10K Walk in Douglas

Sinead Kaneen (118), Kirsty Taylor (120) & Jessica Isherwood (95) in the Junior 1500m

Ian Callister (174) in the slipstream of Mark Harvey (173) all the way until the approach to The Hope on the last lap.

Lisa Motley (171) walked with Dougie 'Korz'kill (178) virtually all the way and pulled away in the final few hundred metres. Mick Holgate (180) walked a lonely race and finished a couple of minutes behind

Chris Cale (172) walked alone finishing strongly and Lynne Quine's first 10K racewalking experience dogged with shoelace problems finished 22s behind husband Dave

Stephen Hall has improved his fitness and technique since his first ever racewalk over 5K on the Access Road last month. Stephen finished very strongly overtaking Andi Cunningham with 1 lap to go and finishing almost 2 minutes ahead

Report and photo's by Paul Jackson - Results thanks to Bridget Kaneen

Veteran fell runner David Quine came out on top on in last Thursdays 10K  sealed handicap race walk in blustery conditions at St. Johns around three and a half laps of the popular Ballacraine- Hope- Tynwald triangular course. He edged out wife Lynne into second place on handicap and by 22 seconds on the road in a mixed field of experienced and debutant walkers. Fastest on the night was event organiser Bridget Kaneen recording an encouraging comeback time of 54.51 holding off a persistent challenge from coach Allan Callow who finished 26 seconds behind. Mark Harvey walked confidently with Ian Callister hot on his heels who emerged the stronger in the closing stages to claim 3^rd place on the road. Lisa Motley is back from a recent break from race walking and no doubt benefited from the encouragement and support of Dougie Corkill with whom she walked the entire race, both recording 64.32. In contrast recent Parish Walk finishers Mick Holgate and Chris Cale walked in isolation but crossed the line at the Farmers Arms on the final lap just 6 seconds apart after a strong finish from Cale. Steph Gault walked very well competing in her first ever race walking event alongside her father Allan for whom this was a welcome return to the sport after 17 years when he last competed in the 1988 Post Office walk in Douglas. It was good to welcome back Andi Cunningham and Stephen Hall after their debuts in the 5k walk back in May. Both showed notable improvement in fitness and technique with Hall finishing the strongest catching Andi with one full lap to go and storming ahead to finish almost 2 minutes clear.

In the Junior 1500m event Lauren Whelan walked away with the race pacing herself alongside the leading seniors in the 10K event. Lauren recorded another impressive personal best time ahead of Kirsty Taylor and Sinead Kaneen who walked side by side throughout. Jessica Isherwood is gaining in experience and shows good potential together with Chelsea Hall, a welcome newcomer to junior race walking. Thanks to timekeeper Judy Morrey, recorder Liz Corran and to all judges and marshals.