Results of Round of the Bank of Scotland League  in Andreas village

BANK OF SCOTLAND WALKS AT ANDREAS ON SUNDAY

PICTURES BY STEVE PARTINGTON
 

3 ladies - Judy King, Karen Locking & Brenda Charlton.

Marie Latham - set a new pb when her pre-race ambition had merely been to 'finish without feeling sick or needing the loo'.

Mick Holgate, "I just liked the 'stop' sign" said Steve P.

Winner - Geoff Hall - 'I really got going once my shin splints had worn off'

Whilst all roads may lead to Andreas it would appear that only the die hards made the journey this week for what was our smallest turnout in the last two years. (This race last year also had the smallest turnout of the series).

Whilst we may have lacked the quantity of previous events and certainly the quality at the sharp end of the 10km was missing there was plenty of quality throughout the four races to make up for it. Ideal weather conditions and a very flat course provided the opportunity for several competitors to set personal best or series best performances.

First away were the combined 1km and 2km junior races. Kirsty Taylor again dominated the 1km race and is now put together a string of consistently high quality walks this winter. Second fastest was Emily Biggart smashing her pb and breaking 7 minutes (6.47) to take joint first place in the handicap. After a race long battle Abbie Moore pulled Sinead Kaneen back on the line to tie, both setting best times in the process. Mathew Locking got back towards his best enabling him to tie first place in the handicap on the day.

The 2km race lacked the competitiveness upfront of the previous races and as a result birthday boy Callum Taylor took to a comparatively easy victory. Behind him it looked as though it would have been a comfortable second place for Ciara Kaneen but severe stomach pains on the third lap forced her to retire. A strong finishing Fay Latham may well have caught her anyway as she powered home only four seconds off her best time. Third was Bronwen Kaneen who is struggled through, still a long way off her best form. It was at the back of the field where the real battle was between brothers Ben and Adam Locking.  Adam got ahead of his younger brother and opened up a significant gap going into the last of four laps. Adam looked a good bet to beat his sibling for the first time ever but with 200m to go Ben began a surge that enabled him catch his brother to tie on the line. Adam however had the last laugh taking the handicap prize for his efforts.

The 5km - after Robert went past me I didn't see anything until the finish when they were all waiting for me. But what a walk from Robert, yet another personal best and he still doesn't look as though he is trying. Robert has been second in the handicap and second fastest in all three previous winter leagues in this series but yesterday he was fastest and won the handicap, a fine double.

The 10km race was low on numbers but high on competitiveness leading to a number of personal best performances. 13 walkers set their best time of the winter league on Sunday in one of the closest handicap races for some time. Winning by 60 seconds was Geoff Hall walking with a spring in his step and I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that Moira is on the other side of the world? I have booked my wife to go away when the next race is on just in case. Behind him came David Cain walking better than in previous races and Marie Latham over taking several competitors in the last hundred yards, both walkers set personal bests. There were a number of good performances but standing out would be Sue Biggart who in setting a pb caught Ron Ronan on the line and in the process dragged Dave Wilkinson around to his best time for a while. Alan Kinvig has improved a great deal this winter whilst Les Crowe set another pb whilst complaining of suffering with all sorts of ailments. Ray Pitts put in a solid walk only three seconds off his previous mark. Alan Pilling prior to the start suspected that his handicap was wrong and brought it to the attention of the officials. It was amended and as a result he found himself at the back of the field as opposed to five minutes clear at the front.

Full marks to the handicapper, Peter Clague, all the same - if we exclude the massive improvement of Geoff Hall and the off form Jan Hodgson then there was a mere 3 min 30 secs between the other 20 walkers. Watching from the sidelines it made great viewing as they headed into the final bend and on to the finish line.

Performance of the day. A tie between Marie Latham and Robert Moore. Due to work comitments Marie has been unable to train regularly but a relaxed approach to the race saw her show us that she is back to her best and that there is more to come. We could be in danger of taking apersonal bests by Robert moore for granted. Four races and four pbs. He competed over 5km last year and looked out of his depth but he stuck to his task and is now producing the results. I believe that there is less than a handful of seniors on the Island capable of going faster than Robert over 5km at the moment. I wait in anticipation of his 10km debut.

If you haven't competed in all the races so far then you need to score in four races to count in the league. The next race is February 9th held on the TT Access Road first race at 10am. Meet and sign on at the Manx Harriers Club House.

 ADDITIONAL PICTURES BY EMMA LATHAM

Sinead Kaneen and Emily Biggart in the 1km.

Bronwen Kaneen in the 2km walk.

Fay Latham in the 2km

 TO SEE RECENT AND OLD FEATURES CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE FEATURES PAGE

It is a little disorganised at present but virtually everything is still there.