News

All "reporting" by Murray Lambden unless otherwise stated.

TOP WALKERS IN DERBY ON SATURDAY

Bridget Kaneen Reports (25-09-03)

A large contingent of Manx walkers are heading off Island on Saturday - on the same boat as the road relay teams I believe.

Peter Kaneen, Marie Latham, Neil Bates, Robert Moore, Emma Latham, Ciara Kaneen and Callum Taylor are all representing the North of England in the Inter Area Match at Moorways track in Derby.

Peter and Marie compete in the 10k. Neil, Robert and Ciara are racing at 5k, while Emma and Callum race at 3k.

FORMER PARISH WALK WINNER IN LONDON (25-09-03)

John Cannell is the sole representative from the Isle of Man in this year's Postman in Uniform race in London this weekend. And he has paid dearly for it. I met him tonight and he was still reeling from paying heavily for a late booking. "I only wanted to fly to London not buy the plane" he complained promising to book early for next year.

A BIT OF LIGHT RELIEF FROM STEVE TAYLOR (25-09-03)

An unemployed man goes to try for a job with Microsoft as a Lavatory cleaner. The manager there arranges for an aptitude test (Section: Floors, sweeping offices) After the test, the manager says: You will be paid $30 per day. Let me have your e-mail address, so that I can send you a form to complete and advise you where to report for work on your first day. Taken aback, the unemployed man protests that he is neither in possession of a computer nor of an e-mail address. To this the MS manager replies: Well, then, that really means that you virtually don't exist and can therefore hardly expect to be employed.

Stunned, the man leaves. Not knowing where to turn and only having about $10 he decides to buy a 10lb. box of tomatoes at the supermarket. Within less than 2 hours, he sells the tomatoes singly at 100% profit.

Repeating the process several times more that day, he ends up with almost $100 before going to sleep that night. And thus it dawns on the man that he could quite easily make a living selling tomatoes.

Getting up earlier and earlier every day and going to bed later and later, he multiplies his hoard of profits in quite a short time.

Not too long thereafter, he acquires a cart to transport several dozen boxes of tomatoes, only to have to trade it in again shortly afterwards on a pick-up truck. By the end of the first year, he is the owner of a fleet of pick-up trucks and manages a staff of several hundred former unemployed people, all selling tomatoes.

Considering the future of his wife and children, he decides to buy some life assurance. Calling an insurance adviser, he picks an insurance plan to fit his new circumstances. At the end of the telephone conversation, the adviser asks him for his e-mail address in order that he might forward the documentation.

When the man replies that he has no e-mail, the adviser is stunned: What, you don't even have e-mail? How on earth have you managed to amass such wealth without the Internet, e-mail and e-commerce? Just imagine where you would have been by now, if you had been connected from the very start!

After a moment's silence, the tomato millionaire replied: Sure! I would have been a lavatory cleaner at Microsoft!

Morals of the story:

The Internet, e-mail and e-commerce do not need to rule your life.

Get e-mail, if you want to be a lavatory cleaner at Microsoft.

If you don't have e-mail, but work hard, you can still become a millionaire.

Seeing that you got this story via e-mail, you're probably closer to becoming a lavatory cleaner than you are to becoming a millionaire.

If you do have a computer and e-mail, you're already being taken to the cleaners by Microsoft.

(note from Murray - don't open any emails purporting to be fro Microsoft telling you to update urgently - they are a computer virus - I received 9 copies yesterday!)

FINAL ROAD RACE OF THE YEAR (24-09-03)


SYD QUIRK HALF MARATHON RUN/WALK
Held under UK Athletics Rules. Sunday 2^nd November 2003 WALK: starts at 09:15 a.m. Permit No. 17/03/129 RUN: starts at 10.15 a.m. Permit No. to be advised Sponsored by :


* Organised by the I.O.M. Veteran Athletes' Club * Sign on at Royal British Legion Club, Janet's Corner, Castletown from 08.45 am Fast flat course (consisting of two laps) through Ballasalla, Ballabeg, Castletown Bypass and finishing at Ballasalla Town Hall. Presentation and buffet will be at Malew A.F.C. Clubhouse ENTRY FORMS - PDF Word

16,000 PICTURES (24-09-03)

As the reorganisation of my computer files continues, I've realised that my electronic picture collection is up to 16,000+. It will be great to dip into in the years ahead. Even tonight, as I looked for a picture to use from last year's Cross Country at Port St Mary I realised just how many pictures have never seen the light of day.

Apologies to all the people who have sent my emails during the last two or three weeks if I have not replied. The communication with my friends in the sport via email is one of the things that I find really rewarding but I've vowed to prioritise other tasks before I return to my usual lengthy emails or any new projects on the website. Hopefully I can just about keep the site ticking over at the moment.

ANDY GARRETT REPORTS FROM NEW ZEALAND (23-09-03)

Having missed racing last year due to work commitments I've been quite pleased with some of my performances this season. Last month I ran a 36.31 10km with a negative split for the last 5k (18.20/18.11). Last weekend I ran 82.50 for the Moro 1/2 Marathon which is based on an undulating course. My 5km splits were 19.00, 20.00, 20.00 and 19.40......the last part of the race is sheer hell as it involves a final uphill 1km stretch!!!! My unofficial 10 mile time was 63.10. Crazy to think that even at this pace I would still be 17 minutes behind Paula Ratcliffe's incredible Great North Run!!! Anyway, there is a 10km race in about two weeks, which is the last roadrace of the season. It is on a fast circuit, so I'm hoping to get close to sub 36 pace...we shall see?

One of my friends managed to get a digtial photo of me coming up to the finishing line in the Moro 1/2 Marathon (see front page). Had he caught me 1km earlier on the hill, I would have looked a little different????

GREAT NORTH RUN BETTER THAN THE LONDON MARATHON

Catriona Farrant reports (22-09-03)

I ran in the Great North Run again this year, and at the start , in among the 47,000, bumped into a man who asked if i was from Laxey! It turned out it was Steve Brown , who lives in the next street, and he had seen me training round the village- he was there with his Mum, who is in her 70s. Steve had on an Orange number so he must have been looking for a sub 1hr 40 time.

I enjoyed the whole event this year, and in general I felt the organisation was superior to the FLM.The most obvious difference being that there are plenty toilets at the start, so that there was no more than three people ahead of you at any one time. The marshalls do stop plebs like me mixing with the sub 1hr 40 crowd who can start very near the front.

The PA is excellent, able to be heard at all times and there was no chaos getting to the start. Hearing them announce that Paula Radcliffe had broken the record as I came down the last mile helped give my tired legs a bit of a lift. Sadly that didn't help me much as my own start to finish time was 2hr 18m 49s-only under a minute faster than last time. That'll teach me to miss three or four long weekend runs !

The one consolation is that my official time will look much better than last years as I managed to get nearer the front and cross the start line in good order-just in time to see Jimmy Saville entertaining the masses! Geoff and the children had a much pleasanter time than in London, and managed to be at the finish to cheer us on,

"A very good advert for both walking and the youth involved in Manx athletics"

Bridget Kaneen reports on the English Schools walks (22-09-03)

A party of four Manx junior walkers travelled to Sheffield along with team manager Allan Callow, former national walking coach Julian Hopkins and myself.

Conditions on the day were very warm and muggy.

First to race at 3k were junior girls, Emma Latham and Ciara Kaneen. Emma started the more positive and was soon up in to third position after pulling past a couple of other walkers who had gone off too quickly.

A couple of cards went in for Emma during the early stages, but after the initial lap or two she found her customary smooth style and never looked back, and although she was not able to push too hard in the closing stages and go for a time, she was in a clear bronze medal position and did not need to take any risks and so finished in around 16.34 (my timing) not too far away from her track best.

In front of her was British record holder Rebecca Mersh and the fast improving Sarah Foster who was not too far behind the winner.

Ciara also was very careful early on, after a DQ at this very track four weeks ago, she looked to be walking well within herself during the first two or three laps. As the race progressed she gradually started to gain more confidence and move up the field. In the last half of the race she caught and passed Coventrys Claire Yeomans and was closing down the fifth and fourth placed walkers.

Running out of track, she finished in sixth position, pleased to record around 18.10 a p.b, and have a clean sheet with no cards or warnings. Next to race was Callum Taylor, in his first Schools competition. Also starting carefully, Callum gave himself time to settle in to his race rhythm, looking technically very strong for the entire race.

Many of this age group started the race with good technique but were unable to maintain this throughout. Callum however showed what good strength he has and if he continues to train well, could be a medal prospect in the years to come.

Finishing his first year in this group in 7th position. His time was approx 17.14 also not too far off his best and a great effort in the very warm racing conditions.

Last away was Robert Moore in the Inter boys event which was at the 5k distance. The talented Nick Ball was typically in charge of affairs at the front of the field and Robert settled in to his own pace just behind leading Senior girl Katie Stones of Hull.

A feature of all the Manx walkers was that they maintained good form throughout the whole distance of their events and Robert proved no exception, plugging away over 12.5 laps he finished in bronze medal position in his age group in a time of around 27.27 (again approx time, Allan has the official ones written down somewhere.)

A pretty good haul for the Merseyside area and I for one was very proud of the way they all conducted themselves both on and off the track over the whole weekend. A very good advert for both walking and the youth involved in Manx athletics.

COMPUTER ALMOST THERE (22-09-03)

Another step towards resuming normal service on the website tonight when my 14 old son Ben taught me a thing or two about slaves and IDE cables and managed to install the hard disk from old computer onto the new one as a second hard disk. The priority tonight has been making sure that I have two copies of everything and trying to get files that have been spread across three different computers in the past two weeks altogether.

Thanks to Ben, all my photo collection has been saved together with my email and contacts details and lots of other things that were very important to me.

JULIE MOORE'S VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Previously published on the front page)

With regards to the issues raised by the development plan and in particular the idea of Team Isle of Man, we have heard lots of supporting comments. However, I get the feeling that by discussing this over the website we are 'preaching to the converted'. That is to say, that the people who frequent this great site (thanks, Murray) are those who care about athletics, and the future of the sport on the Island and see the way forward to improve. Many people study the plan and think 'great idea, let's get on with it' and don't understand why we aren't. What these supporters don't see is the opposition to the plan which at the moment appears to be rather covert.

The most sensible idea the sport has come up with for many years is being shot down without discussion because of the following reasons:

- members of our team don't want to join Manx Harriers - THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN (Warning - it will happen eventually if Team Isle of Man does not go ahead).

- members of our team are not good enough even to get into an Island B Team - THIS IS NONSENSE In reality the B Team will be made up of Northern, Western and Manx B (with a few exceptions) all of whom struggle to take a full team to events. For the women, we will struggle in all honesty to find a B Team. Everyone who wants to run/jump/throw will get as many as they like.

- members of our team like to go away and compete in seven or eight events - FINE, for those athletes who like to multi-event, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so because there are many others who would love the chance to go away and just concentrate on one or two events and be competitive over them for their own personal improvement.

Team Isle of Man is just one proposal in the IOMAA's Development Plan - albeit a central part of the plan in it's current format. There are many other issues ie athlete recruitment, official development, coach development, club development, competition programme, partnership development (schools etc), and finance and business. All of which no-one, I am sure, can disagree, are vital to the development of athletics on the Isle of Man. However, if we cannot resolve one issue, how can we begin to work towards the rest?

For those of you out there who have your doubts or know people who have doubts, please let them be known - raise your issues so that we can answer or resolve them and get this sport, and all the potential talent we have, moving forwards.

GREAT NORTH RUN (21-09-03)

Its five years since I ran in the BUPA Great North Run and I have to admit that, at the time, I was disappointed with the organisation. Compared to the Flora London Marathon the start was disorganised (a 3 hour runner could start at the 1.10 point and block the faster runners) and apart from the Tyne Bridge, the course was lacking in landmarks.

I took time out to watch this morning's race on TV and I have reappraised the event. Although at times he annoys me no end as a TV commentator (all those times to criticised Paula Radcliffe for starting too fast when I was so impressed with her bravery) you have to admire Brendan Foster's for what he has had done for the event. Before I even mention that, its worth recalling what a brilliant and brave runner he was in his racing days and how good it was to see him running today.

I drove along some of the roads used for the Great North Run a few weeks ago when I was on holiday in the North East and when you see the roads in every day use you realise what a great achievement it has been to organise such a big event on the main roads. You have to remember that most of the traditional events that were held on busy roads have long been cancelled.

The appeal has been very similar to the London Marathon and indeed our own Clerical Medical Parish Walk. People would not be so interested if everyone was trecking round at a steady pace and so having top quality athletes taking part adds to the excitement. But to think that Joe Public can take part in the same event when often Joe Public was overweight and unhealthy until they discovered the event! Its fantastic.

So what about Paula Radcliffe? I'll not hear a bad word said about her and this is not just because she has posed for photos with Paul Curphey and myself for two years in a row at the London Marathon! What made her performance today so much better than London even was that she did not have pacemakers. She does not need them.

Maybe in years to come Paula's times will be ordinary. But I'm not so sure. Like Seb Coe and Jonathan Edwards, I think that some of her times (some she has not even set yet!) will last a good few years. It really was a pleasure to watch her defy the commentators once again. As Steve Cram admitted on BBC, her times were off the pace charts he had prepared!

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who took part in today's GNR. The only Manx people I know were taking part were husband and wife Brian & Elaine Masterson but I can't find the results online yet.

According to BBC's Paul Dickenson, there was someone running from every post code in the UK - I assume he means the (in our case) IM part of the postcode and not the whole thing!

Going back to my own impressions when I ran, it probably didn't help that I stayed (with my travelling companion Richard Randle) in Carlisle (because we left it too late to book a hotel in Newcastle), it was one of the few years with a headwind, I was probably running with a stress fracture (it was only some months later I admitted to how sore my leg was!) and I wasn't listed in the first set of results (I was eventually classified in the 120s).

But after watching today, I've added the event to my "must do again" events like the London Marathon, The Parish Walk and the National Cross Country.

Going back to the Brendan Foster connection, I think it would help me judge the event in future years if he was interviewed as the organiser. All commentaries require objectivity and you can't imagine a manager of a football team commentating on his own team. There are so many good things about the GNR but there should be an outlet for criticism as well and with Big Bren in the commentary box the whole thing is too cosy. Replacing him today with Charlie Spedding was not exactly the answer.

LET'S GET TOGETHER FOR THE FELLS, say RIchie Stevenson

(19-09-03)

I would like to comment briefly on a couple of items on the site recently. Firstly Murray is quite right in his observations about the ever increasing standards of our fell races. I would like to add that as well as the people mentioned we hope next year that Richard Jamieson will be back racing again. Richard was the first to break Tony Okells domination when he won the Caraghan race a couple of years ago and he managed to get amongst the points in British Championship races on several occasions. Personally I think Richard has got loads of untapped potential that just needs bringing out and I really hope he can get down to some hard training and show us what he can do. Another who is capable of getting amongst the leaders is Mike Quine. He has only done a few fell races but has improved dramatically in each one. I don`t know how hard he wishes to push himself but I am convinced he would cause a few surprises next year if he got a good Winters training in.

The second item that interested me were the points made by Andy Fox today. I am glad he pointed out that the Development Plan and Team Isle of Man are not just about track athletics. The whole subject seems to have been dominated by whether or not clubs should come together for league track meetings on the adjacent isle. In our opinion Team Isle of Man is the only way forward not only for the track but for all the other disciplines of our sport. I am in the process of contacting the FRA to see if we will be allowed to run Team IOM in the British championships next year. It would, if permitted, allow us to ask runners from any club in the Island to contest top quality races and all in the same team/teams. If we get the go ahead we will operate this policy irrespective of what other Island clubs decide as we are convinced it is the right way to go and the way to improve standards, not only at the sharp end but right down the field.

Manx Harriers Circuit Training Mondays 6.00pm to 7.30pm (19-09-03)

At St. Ninian's Sports Hall cost -£1 juniors, £1.50 adults.

Details by Andy Fox

This has proved to be a popular session over the years for athletes of all ages and abilities. It is open to anyone irrespective of which club you do or do not belong to. Qualified UK athletics coaches in attendance. Why not come along and join in the fun and get fit at the same time!!!

WEBSITE AT A STANDSTILL (19-09-03)

It has been virtually impossible to provide any updates to the website in the past 24 hours. Yesterday morning started badly when I tried to download my email on Ben's computer. I thought there was something suspicious when I noticed the number of mails arriving. I stopped it when it went over 200. My murray@manxathletics.com address had been hit by some sort of worm and I've had no chance to tackle this.

My new computer arrived yesterday and after a long day using my energies elsewhere I set about installing it. But there is so much software I have to reinstall that there was no time left last night to do anything with it.

I hope to provide a little bit more news tonight and over the weekend but apart from being subject to time pressures, I have to set up my email accounts yet again and hope I can sort the above problem out and then install the hard disk from my old computer as a slave in my new one in the hope that I can recover my data from prior to two weeks ago.

If you've emailed in the past couple of days and are awaiting a response or for me to use something on the site, please bear with me a little longer and I'll update you over the weekend if I get to where I'm trying to get to.

LOOKING AHEAD (19-09-03)

Good luck to all the young walkers competing in the English Schools Championships this weekend. See the front page for Steve Taylor's preview.

There are only none days until the White and Healthy End to End Walk. It should be a tremendous day with over 300 walkers taking part. The entry forms were available for several months so, quiet right, the people who applied to Judy King with late entries on the basis that they had been on holiday when the entries closed were turned away.

Just a few days after that, Thursday 2 October, the IOMVAC will be organising their Autumn Handicap and on the Sunday 5 October , Manx Harriers hold their Novice Walk.

Its only three weeks until the first Manx Gas Island League Cross Country at Port St Mary with the Ramsey Firemans opening three nights before that.

ANDY FOX HAS HIS FINAL WORDS ON DEVELOPMENT (17-09-03)

1. Manx Harriers have entered a Ladies team in the NOE 4 stage road relay champs. Julie got the OK from the NOEAA that if needs the team could be composite, ie. non scoring but be made up of athletes from different clubs in case we could not get 4 harriers on the day. The entry has athletes from Manx Harriers, IOM Vets and Western included in it. Team IOM is about more than T&F athletics. These girls want to run but could not without a team. Surely it makes sense, and in an ad hoc way it is already happening, to have a team IOM!!!!

2. In the August match on the track this summer Manx B took 3 Western athletes on their boat ticket and transported them in their mini bus to the event. As both clubs were at the same venue and in the same match it made sense. They then set about competing against each other and losing to all the other clubs as they could not cover the events. They would not have been able to cover everything if united but would have done better in the match overall. An argument for team IOM and again an example of it happening already.

3. Lancashire Cross Country Champs, I can not speak for the T&F champs as I have not been to them recently but in XC it is a Manx Harriers trip. We do take athletes from other clubs and have always charged them for their air fare but not the bus etc. as we would be paying for that anyway. Again one could argue team IOM is already there to a degree. These athletes would probably not get to these events if it were left to their own clubs to sort everything out. Here we are talking about youngsters who need encouraging etc. as such, we have always been happy to help.

4. The IOM fell runners have a number of athletes who run on road, track or country for other clubs but go back to their main allegiance on the fells. This helps those guys get the extra competition they want while not losing their membership to the club they first joined. Evidence that something like team IOM can be done and does work as the IOM AA envisage it.

In conclusion, it's happening already in so many ways - Look at the IOM T&F champs, officials from all clubs helping and working together in what was a good and well run event. We can see where it could lead if only everyone would get involved. If there is a better, or another way, tell us what it is so we can incorporate it for a better future for our sport rather than harping on about a topic that has no future.!!!!!

GET SET FOR THE MANX MOUNTAIN MARATHON - its only 7 months away says Richie Stevenson (17-09-03)

Believe it or not the first advert for next years Manx Mountain Marathon has already been sent out which will appear in the October edition of the Fellrunner, the official FRA magazine. At our committee meeting last Wednesday we decided that we would introduce a seperate race over the second half of the Mountain Marathon route run in conjunction with the main race next Easter Saturday. It would be open to all categories and would,hopefully, tempt more people to have a go being on a shorter course and then possibly move on to the full MM the next year. It would also enable any runner who did not have sufficient time to do the training required to enter a 31 miles race to have a go over part of the course. It would still be a tough event covering around 14-15 miles. The intention is to start at St Johns and then follow the usual route to Port Erin. Organisationly it should not be a problem as we would start around midday and then all our usual marshalls would already be in place and in fact it would probably make it more interesting for them as the main race can get very drawn out by the second half.

There used to be a junior race and a walk some years ago over this section ( I think Chris Quine may have won it one year) but it was discontinued when entries dropped.

Unfortunately it will clash with the Peel Hill race although I doubt if this will affect either entry as the MM and Peel have been on the same day for years now. I wander if any thought has ever been given to swap the festival relay to the Saturday and Peel Hill to the Sunday?.I feel sure quite a few MM runners and indeed supporters, would be tempted to loosen their legs off with a gallop over Peel Hill to round off their weekend if it was held on the Sunday.

RUNNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

(17-09-03)

I was fairly surprised to see Northern AC's Peter Hughes lining up in the Edgewater Direct Boundary Stroll on Sunday as I knew he'd recently been on holiday and taken a break from training.

A little below his best he was doing anything but making excuses. "If we don't support these races there will be nothing left for the next generation to do" he said in a true sporting manner.

Although I fear that the days of racing on open roads may be numbered it is nevertheless tremendous that Peter should think in this way. Our generation have inherited many good things from the previous generation and its only right that we should think of the next.

RICHIE STEVENSON POINTS OUT HOW CLOSE THAT FELL RACE REALLY WAS (16-09-03)

After a long chat with Tony Rowley the other night I realise that the race at the front was a lot closer than I thought (as I run at the back of the field these days I dont see much of the action) Ian Gale did lead for a lot of the way but the others in the group, which included Partie up until Carraghan, were swapping the lead frequently with eventual winner Paul Sheard keeping a close watch on everyone. This resulted in another excellent race to follow the trend recently. Second place man Brian Osbourne must be cursing his luck as he would probably have won yesterday and last months Laxey race if he had not faced top class opposition in Lloyd Taggart and now Paul Sheard. What a boost for our events though when we have runners of this calibre turning out and it can only be beneficial to everyone.

DISUNITED WE STAND (16-09-03)

Julie Harrison's frustrations at the lack of (at least an off island) united club add to the rather one sided debate on the forum. The views expressed would suggest there is a strong body of athletes in favour of the clubs joining together, but perhaps others behind the scenes that are less keen.

I will not ever forget my proposal at the end of the Boundary Harriers AGM in 1990 which went (without checking) something like "The new committee should seek urgent talks which every athletic club on the Island with a view towards merger". In general terms it split the room between the athletes (who voted in favour) and the officials (who were against). But once the fear of the first (but only) merger that occurred (with Manx AC) was overcome, most of those officials were even prouder of their new club.

Its the needs of the athlete that are paramount (as Steve Partington points out on the forum, the future athletes even more so).

I've yet to hear what the benefits of not joining up off Island are but given the total and utter lack of inter club competition within the Island, I have long held the view that we should all unite on the Island as well.

For the time being however, I'm getting the feeling (although no one has confirmed) that we would rather be disunited. It augers well for the clubs in the North West of England who would be more than willing to accommodate some of our best athletes allowing the rest to go down to the lowest level rather than up to the highest.

FELL RUNNING QUALITY - PART 1 (15-09-03)

My first news of the Creg Ny Baa Fell race arrived from Stan Hall with his pictures via email. He didn't know who he was, but a visiting runner was a long way ahead. I published the picture and within a few minutes Guernsey regular site contributor, Rob Elliott, had recognised him. He awaited confirmation when the results were published and then told me about Paul Sheard who won the Ian Ronan Joiners sponsored event so comfortably.

"Paul Sheard represented Guernsey in 1986 Commonwealth Games in Scotland at 5000 metres. I think he was born in UK but educated in the Island" said Rob. "Bet you knew this didn`t you?" he teased before sending some old pictures of him.

FELL RUNNING QUALITY - PART 2 (15-09-03)

Well the story continues. I've learnt this evening that Paul is living on the Isle of Man for two years whilst working on a construction project.

Kevin Perry reports that Paul is looking for (fast) runners to train with. I'll publish his contact details when I have them.

FELL RUNNING QUALITY - PART 3 (15-09-03)

Although the imported quality will be welcomed, I think that the quality of the home produced fell runners has never been so high, certainly in depth.

Whilst we must not forget the tremendous achievements of Tony Varley and Tony Varley before a third Tony (Okell) lifted standards even higher, I don't think the top six places have ever been more difficult to achieve.

Ian Gale has been the star of the home produced crew but Brian Osbourne has also excelled. Simon Skillicorn made a richly deserved improvement on Saturday and how long before he wins a race? Race walker Steve Partington is a great fan of the fells and how good to see Tony Rowley pushing so hard again. If Mark Preston and Wayne Smith are reading this, I hope you rejoin the field soon.

Rose Hooton has undoubtedly established herself as the most medalled of all female fell runners but she called out for a challenge. Cal Partington provided it on Saturday and proved what all her supporters have been telling her (especially her biggest fan who shares the same house with her!) that she really is a good fell runner.

GOOD LUCK TO FELL RUNNERS (13-09-03)

I had hoped to watch and photograph at tomorrow’s Ian Ronan sponsored Creg Ny Baa Fell Race tomorrow but unfortunately a number of other demands on my time have ruled this out.

I’ll look forward to receiving and publishing the results (and possibly photos from other people) tomorrow afternoon / evening.

Although the PC I’m using at the moment is only temporary (it looks as if I’m going to have to spend quite a bit to fix or replace my own computer) I’ll invest a bit of time tomorrow evening so that I can update some of the other articles on the site.

TEN YEARS AGO (13-09-03)

Having rambled on about what was happening twenty years ago the other night, I thought I would check out what the score was half that time ago.

David Teece had just been appointed Sports Development Officer. He was 25 then.

Andy Fox set a Manx record in the 3000 metres steeplechase in the Northern Men’s league. He ran 9.14 to beat his 1989 time by 13 seconds. It was interesting to note that Manx Harriers were second and Western AC third in the days before a number of Western’s athletes continued the drip feeding towards a single island club.

Alan Poslethwaite set a Manx 5,000 metres veterans record of 16.40 when he finished second in the Manx Championship. Championships were obviously a problem in those days as well as I won it and there was no bronze medallist!

Three Manx walkers represented GB in an 11 Nations meeting in Eschborn. Carolyn Brown was 33^rd in the junior women’s 5km (25.46), Dave Keown was 35km in the junior 10km (48.08) while Steve Partington was 35^th in the senior men’s 20km (87.22).

Steve was second British walker and his performances for GB over the years were always very consistent. I’m sure we’ll be reporting his performance for many years to come yet.

Meanwhile he saw off the competition of Steve Taylor, Martin Young, Allan Callow, Steve Brennan & Dave Keown in the Laa Columb Killey. The often underestimated Robbie Callister won the running section agead of Allan Gage and John Reynolds. 25 runners finished. There’s a target for Paul Jackson who will promoting the 2004 event soon!

The first round of the Island Cross Country league was held at Bride in October and Andy Fox had Steve Partington just 15 seconds in arrears with Chris Quine third. Cal Partington was five seconds behind Helen Simpson in the women’s race. Glenn Butterworth won the under 13s race ahead of Derek Kelly and Gary Hunter. St Mary’s school won the under 9s team prize.

Earlier in the season Graham Clarke dominated the Peel to Douglas (then held on a Sunday evening) to win by nearly four minutes after brother Paul dropped out. Robbie Callister pushed the pace early on and finished second ahead of Paul Curphey. Alan Poslethwaite certainly looked at least 10 years younger and the sight of the person he is pictured with (me!) also looking a lot younger has made me feel really old!

Finally I’ve just found a picture of group of walkers being coached by former national coach Julian Hopkins. Steve Partington is holding his son in his arms. Little has changed except that 10 years ago it was Joe and not Tom or Finn!

RACHEL MATULEWICZ (12-09-03)

A memorial service will he be held at All Saints, Lonan beginning at 11 am on Saturday 13 September.

SHANGHAI CALL-UP FOR MARTIN (12-09-03)

Commonwealth Games high jump finalist, Martin Aram, has been selected to represent the City of Liverpool at the World City Games in Shanghai, China, at the beginning of November.

Having started his athletics career on the Island with Western A. C., the NatWest Island Games record breaker has been competing for Liverpool Harriers for the last three years to improve his competitive opportunities. He was one of the key players helping the club gain promotion to Division two of the British Athletics League this season. Martin also attends university in the city, the European Capital of Culture for 2008, studying Creative and Performing Arts.

As the team will consist of only three men and three women, the preference was for athletes who could do more than one event. Whilst the AON under 21 sportsman of the year has been selected mainly for the high jump, he is likely also to take part in the shot putt, where he also holds the Manx record, and maybe the Long Jump.

“ I am delighted to be able to take part in this world status event,” said Martin. “Apart from the athletics, it should be an interesting cultural experience, which I can use to promote the Isle of Man as well as Liverpool.”

WINTER ALMOST HERE (12-09-03)

Richie Stevenson outlines Walker Brothers Hill Leagues

We have finalised details for this years Walker Brothers Winter Hill League which are scheduled to take place on October 25th, November 15th and December 6th, all Saturdays starting at 1.30pm. The league will be similar to last years. The opening round is at James Coulsons farm at Glen Ruy followed by Peel Hill which will incorporate the Junior Championships and the final round at Glen Maye. League positions will be based on aggregate time. A couple of new ideas have been introduced this year. For the first time there will be a team prize which will have two sections, one being for teams of three which must include a junior runner ( juniors must be 16 years or younger on day of opening race ) and a section for teams of three that must include one lady runner. Hopefully we might be able to encourage a few more juniors and females to take part. The other change will be in the Junior Championship which will be run over a shorter course of just two miles on Peel Hill. It was felt that using the full hill league course was asking a lot of some of the less experienced juniors and again it will hopefully encourage a few more to have a go.

Cross Country season 2003/04

By Andy Fox (11-09-03)

Chris Quine and I have planned out (in rough!!!!) the races and training for our training group between Sept. and Jan. targeting the Lancs XC champs amongst other things. We will be sending a team to the National at Leeds in Feb. The group will be training together 3 times a week –

Monday - Circuit Training and run,

Tuesday - track and road reps,

Saturday - Hills and Cross Country reps.

Long runs will take place individually or in small groups on Thursdays and Sundays. Our aim is to work together to help each other and ensure Manx Harriers produce a Gold or Silver medal winning team performance in the Lancs. Champs. ie. an improvement upon last year.

Anyone who would like to be involved fully or come along on an ad hoc basis will be made most welcome. Just give Andy a ring on 626415. By working together I am sure we can make great strides forward and who knows regain our Lancashire crown along the way.

Keith Gerrard highly ranked reports Chris Quine (11-09-03)

Keith Gerrard was ranked 49th in the UK Under 20 3000m rankings, as at 24th August, following his run of 8 mins 50.38 secs at Stretford on 12th August. Leading the list is Chris Parr of Gateshead with 8 mins 20.52 secs. Of those in his year (ie born after 1-9-1985), Keith is ranked 12th.

For the full list see this link: http://www.britishmilersclub.com/uklists/2003

DETERMINED TO FINISH (11-09-03)

Steve Locking will be as determined as anyone to finish the Edgewater Direct Boundary Stroll on Sunday – he is presenting the prizes afterwards.

Steve is a director of the sponsor.

Manx Harriers target Northern relays

by Andy Fox (11-09-03)

Manx Harriers have entered teams in the North of England Men's 6 stage road relay and Women's 4 stage road relay champs on Sept. 27th. at Warrington. It is a day trip on the boat, cost £20. Myself and Julie Harrison will be ringing prospective runners soon however you could speed things up by ringing me in advance on 626415!!!! Full details to follow later.

HELP ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY (11-09-03)

Have you considered whether you could help at the weekend. Some of the jobs that Richie Stevenson and Paul Jackson can find for you at the weekend’s two big events need only take a few minutes but could ensure that such events have a future.

rstevenson@manxmountainmarathon.co.uk

paul.jackson@manx.net

TELL ME NOW IF 2004 FIXTURES CLASH says Richie Stevenson (11-09-03)

Provisional fell running fixtures for 2004

1/1/04 St Johns

7/2/04 Greeba

7/3/04 Bradda

27/3/04 Snaefell

10/4/04 Mountain Marathon

11/5/04 Carraghan

12/6/04 Patrick

4/7/04 Ellan Vannin

27/7/04 North Barrule

29/8/04 Laxey Horseshoe

11/9/04 Creg Ny Baa

Fixtures more or less correspond with this years apart from MMM which is changed for obvious reasons and which has a knock on affect to the Snaefell race.

2004 Walker Bros. Winter Hill League

30/10/04

20/11/04

11/12/04

If any other club sees a clash with our dates I would be grateful if they would contact me within the next couple of weeks so we can come to a compromise. Our fixtures have to be submitted to the FRA by the end of the month to cover us for insurance.

OLDIES MY MAIN INTEREST TONIGHT (10-09-03)

As someone who has always claimed that athletics, whilst open to everyone, is primarily there for our youth, I found it slightly sad that as I opened my copy of Athletics Weekly tonight I had more interest in the results of the Legends of 84 section of the BUPA Bristol Half Marathon.

Nick Rose, who I had the honour of watching the 1982 Commonwealth Games marathon with (on TV!) was a clear winner – the 52 year old clocked 71.09 to put us all to shame. It amused me that so many of the other runners hadn’t lost their ability to find excuses.

How about arranging a similar race for our oldies? Steve Kelly and Dave Newton are currently in action but what about getting Dave Lockley, Colin Halsall, Bob Cowley out of retirement for a half marathon?

20 YEAR OLD EXCUSES (10-09-03)

Whilst thinking earlier tonight how much I am looking forward to my first long race for nearly a year on Sunday, I realised it was 20 years ago last week that I had my last serious race as a race walker. I certainly had my share of excuses in 1983 as injuries and illness resulted in an up and down season and my decision to quit on medical advice in November 1983.

In what the late Kevin Madigan reported to be a classic race, 20 years ago last week I blasted off in a Boundary Harriers 15km only to stall badly and just hang onto a win that saw 5 walkers separated by 66 seconds. Mike Karran closed to 13 seconds behind me while another youngster, Steve Taylor, was the fifth man. 1974 Commonwealth Games fourth placer (and second best ever Parish Walker) was fourth in this race too behind Allan Callow who was no youngster then but remarkably 20 years later in still on the leader board.

The times were 72.02, 72.15, 72.36, 73.01 and 73.08.

BUT COMPARE THIS TO 20 YEARS AGO (10-09-03)

Race walking may have gone downhill in the UK (in terms of numbers taking part) in the past 20 years but just look at this. Derek Harrison won the 1983 End to End Walk for the 9^th time in September in front of just 3 other walkers. Expect around 200 to finish this year!

AND AN END TO END CHALLENGE I HAVE 23 YEARS TO PREPARE FOR (