Compiled by Murray Lambden

Contributions as credited otherwise written by Murray Lambden

If you would like to share anything you know about events or people in the sport in the Isle of Man then please email  [email protected]

 OLD NEWS

 Most of the old news and features from the past three years are available online if you search the various sites below that I've used to publish to. For example, enter "inter counties cross country" and select "manxathletics.info" and you will find many references to this event that have been made in the past.

Search WWW Search manxathletics.com Search manxathletics.info Search murrayandmarie.com Search woodheights.freeserve.co.uk Search uk.geocities.com

TOP MARKS 1   (30-04-04) 

I wasn't able to attend the first round of the Dave Phillips Memorial Road Races last week and so the first time I saw the results was yesterday evening in the Manx Independent.

Although I had seen from Stan Hall's pictures that there was a tight finish, with Gary Ross deservedly taking the honours, I hadn't realised that the gaps were so close all the way through the field. 29 of the 32 runners finished within two minutes of the winner and the results that people saw (and the camera captured) were the final results, ie no post race adjustments like the last few years.

Well done to handicapper Peter Kelly and the Western AC team.

I do get loads of requests for the results online however. They are not supplied to me and they are not published on the new Western AC site either which is a shame. Maybe soon?

 TOP MARKS 2   (30-04-04) 

I often comment about the fixture congestion and there have been some big improvements in the month of May compared to last year (and previous years).

There is a whole week between the Peel to Douglas and the Carraghan Fell Race (instead of two days) and, even better, there are three weeks between the Peel to Douglas and the Northern 10 (instead of a week).

Well done to everyone concerned on this big improvement.

 MORE KNOCKDHU PICTURES    (30-04-04) 

Cal Partington, who delivered the impressive sort of fell run that many had been predicting for some time at Knockdhu last weekend, has found another source of pictures from that race that includes one of our top male runner at the meeting, Ian Gale.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THEM

 MANX HARRIERS SHINE IN SHEFFIELD

Manx Harriers enjoyed another successful trip to England over the weekend returning with three individual gold and three individual silver medals, writes Steve Taylor. . A predominately junior party travelled to Sheffield to take part in the Jeff Ford Memorial races held at the Don Valley Stadium as part of the City of Sheffield Open athletics meeting. It was also the latest round of the Race Walking Associations younger age group grand prix.

Hopes were high for continued success after the club enjoyed one of their most successful national championships ever in Leamington last month but a stroll around the course indicated that fast times would not be the order of the day due to the poor road surface on the 1km lap based in and around the Don Valley Stadium which incorporated dog log turns, sharp descents and tough uphill climbs.

Temperatures were recorded as close to 80 in the shade during the afternoon and this made the going tough for all competitors with drinks and sponges being in great demand throughout the event. First event of the day was the mixed under13 2km and Manx hopes for success rested on the shoulders of national Champion Lauren Whelan. The initial pace was set by boys champion Mathew Halliday of Coventry and Lauren set off in pursuit. However having forgot her inhaler prior to the event Lauren struggled with her breathing as early as the first lap and 10 second lead over Natalie Myers of Sheffield was turned into an 18 second deficit by the finish giving the home town girl a shock win and sweet revenge for her national defeat. Bronwen Kaneen, Fay Latham and Kirsty Taylor made up the team and all put in solid performances just outside their best times and finished in similar places to the nationals which meant that they were pipped to team gold once again by Sheffield.

Manx Harriers had no representation in the RWA 5km championships which was won by Rebecca Mersh of Sheffield. Mersh at only 15 years old is considered to be one of the finest young talents and lead from start to finish to record her first ever senior national win. Our girls, Liz Corran and 14 year old Emma Latham instead opted for the 3km event. Walking together for the first two laps they moved into clear medal positions. On the third lap Emma pushed ahead of her coach to take silver medal behind Fiona McGorum of Leicester, arguably the finest technical walker on the day. Liz came home third but first veteran lady and received the Rene Scott Memorial Trophy for her efforts. There is no doubt that the girls would have placed well in the RWA 5km had they chosen to compete in that event.

The youngest athletes took their turn next and the Harriers dominated the event from the start with Sinead Kaneen and Abbi Moore going straight to the front. Sinead moved ahead prior to re-entering the stadium and opened up a significant gap over her team mate to take first place. Victory being much sweeter this time having missed out on gold at the national championships due to missing the start of the race. Abbi walked a very mature race for one so young and in taking silver was rewarded with a personal best time, the only member of the team to set a pb on the day.

The final member of the team and only boy, Callum Taylor toed the line in the mixed under15 3km. Starting steadily Callum walked with Kathryn Granger of Sheffield with Mark O'Kane (Coventry) and Antonio Cirillo (Swansea) in hot pursuit. O'Kane was after revenge for his national defeat by Callum but it was Cirillo who challenged as O'Kane faded away. Callum upped the pace which saw off Cirillo and going into the last lap went ahead of Granger. It was therefore a triumphant return to Sheffield for Callum where he was disqualified two years ago.

LAXEY TO ST JOHNS WALK by Richie Stevenson    (27-04-04) 

The Laxey to St Johns non competitive walk will be held on Bank Holliday Monday 31st May. Start will be at Ham and Egg Terrace in Laxey at 8.00am and the finish by Tynwald Hill in St Johns. Distance is around 25 miles. A lot of the walk is on footpaths and not too difficult although there is a couple of good hills. Doug Drown usually organises this walk but he will be off the island in May and so I will be looking after entries and the start. In the past couple of years the entry has not been very good and so I don`t want to rely on people entering on the day. Our helpers are out on the course for up to 8 hours and there must be enough interest shown by the walkers to justify this. Anyone wishing to enter should contact me before Wednesday 26th May. If we don`t have a minimum of 20 entries then the walk will be cancelled.

 BRADFORD 50km WALK  (27-04-04) 

Simon Cox is competing in this years Bradford 50km to be held on Monday 31st May.

Simon is asking for anyone who may be interested in taking part to contact him as soon as possible on 822402.

 Middle Distance squad by Chris Quine  (26-04-04) 

The provisional date for the next Middle Distance Squad training is Thursday 13th May at Castle Rushen High School. More details to follow but we are planning to include a link up with the school to work with the Castle Rushen HS pupils and teachers and follow this with some advice on track running and tactics for the whole squad.

DAVID BARNSDALE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE ANDREAS SPORTS     (26-04-04) 

Through the good offices of the Manx Tourist Board and your Web Site, I have obtained your Email address which I trust is correct.  I am, therefore,  writing in the hope that you may be able to help me locate an Athletics Cup.

In 1951, while as a Cadet at RAF Jurby, I won the Andreas 100 yards Cup.

During the early part of July of this year I will be returning to the I of M. to visit the Railways, but for many years, I have been wondering what has happened to that cup on which my name [Cdt. Plt. D. G. Barnsdale].is etched. I still have the silver medal, marked "Andreas Sports 1951". Thus my enquiry.

Is it possible for you to put me in touch with anyone who may be or was associated with the Andreas Athletics Club during the 1950s.?

I hope you can help and thank you.
Regards,

David.

[email protected]

Middle Distance training by Chris Quine  (25-04-04) 

I am going to be running a training session at 6 pm each Tuesday night. These will be similar to those I am been running throughout the winter on a Thursday but adapted to summer training. The reason I have moved it is that Thursday is too close to the weekend when a lot of the off-island racing takes place. Having weighed up the various options Tuesday seems to be the best one. 

GOOD LUCK TO THE FELL RUNNERS    (24-04-04) 

The Knockdhu International Fell Race takes place this coming Saturday on a course just outside Larne, reports Richie Stevenson. Our team consisting of Ian Gale, Mike Quine, Phil Mackie and Mark Preston along with Cal Partington in the females race will take on some of the best fell runners in the country. Competition will be fierce on a course that has a couple of very steep hills as well as some fast runnable sections. Wales and Scotland will be favourites to provide winners in both individual and teams especially as it is doubtful if the England team is going over now as there has been a bust-up in their management. I`m sure all our runners will perform well and will enjoy the experience.  It can do nothing but good to get in amongst this kind of tough competition and will be another step in our plans to encourage everyone involved in the fells to raise their standards. Good luck to them all.  

FELL RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS  (24-04-04) 

Anyone wishing to go to the next round of the British Fell Championships should contact me as soon as possible. The race is the 5 miles Elidir Fawr in Wales and will be held on Sunday 23rd May. This will be the first outing for Team Isle of Man.  Any runner can go irrespective of club or standard,subject of course to being able to arrange transport, with the first three to finish counting for the team. I have already got four people who are interested in going so get in touch as soon as poss. or you may miss out.    

RAMSEY COMMISSIONERS PARK RUNS (24-04-04)

Regulars at the above will no doubt be aware that the summer series kicks off next Friday 30 April.

For anyone new to the sport or the Island the fixture list refers you to Steve Kelly on 812172 if you require further information.

In very simple terms, the races, over 2 or 4 miles (you have a choice) are handicapped so that the slowest runners start first.

Over the past year several people have used the forum to ask for suggestions for races to start out in and these sort of races seem ideal.  I'm always surprised that they are not more heavily promoted and explained with newcomers in mind.

The first run is 9 days before the Race for Life

BUCHANNAN & PITTS CARRAGHAN FELL RACE   (24-04-04)

The 2004 Managrakem Fell League bursts into action again in a few weeks time  when the Buchanan and Pitts sponsored Carraghan race takes place. At 2.5 miles this is the shortest race of the season but it is definitely not the easiest. Last year was the first time we used the route that goes up the side of the plantation that  overlooks West Baldwin reservoir and it proved to be an absolute classic route, very steep in places but very good underfoot and runnable all the way if you are fit enough. Date for the race is Monday May 10th starting at 7.00pm from the northern end of the reservoir. For anyone who thinks I might have made a mistake with the day it definitely is Monday not a Tuesday night as in the past. Please don`t park near the start area as there is little room. There is a carpark just down the road opposite the reservoir which we would like everyone to use.

As the course is so short juniors aged 14 years or older can run. Any juniors wishing to be considered for the Isle of Man team to compete off island in October are asked to turn up.   

 EASTER DATES  (24-04-04)

Every three or four years there seems to be a surprise when we find out that the Good Friday road race within the Easter Athletics Festival will be run in the dark because Good Friday falls before the last Saturday in March when the clocks go forward.  A simple piece of research on the internet reveals the following dates for Easter so perhaps the organisers could take note that next year and 2008 are the dates when they need to make special arrangements, if there is not to be a radical change in any event.

 LECTURE FOR THE DAY    (23-04-04)

If you know anyone, anywhere, who intends to enter the Clerical Medical Parish Walk, remind them to enter this weekend. Don't leave it the last minute as so many people did last year. Although the organisers are not advertising a maximum entry, who knows what will happen if you leave it too late and they get more than 1000 entries? One thing is for sure, if you try and entry after midday on Saturday 8 May you will not be taking part in this year's walk.

DAVE PHILLIPS MEMORIAL ROAD RACES   (22-04-04)

Don't forget that round 2 of the above is to be held on Friday night.  If you are unsure of the objectives or rules, please click HERE

For the first time for a couple of years I can't make it so I'll be as interested as anyone to receive times, reports and pictures.  As far as I am aware, the times for the first round are not available online.

CAPITAL DOUBLE     (22-04-04)

Dave Crowe  not only ran in London in 03:51:2, but two weeks earlier he also ran in the Paris Marathon with Anthony Kelly and Ian Liddle - they didn't run in London.

ISLE OF MAN BANK PEEL TO DOUGLAS RUN (and other races) marshals required   (22-04-04)

Paul Jackson has an appeal for marshals in the above on the front page. If you are one of those traditional people who think that all of the old races should continue regardless of how many cars are on the road and how fast they travel, then this is your chance to try and maintain these sort of races.

With the exception of one or two busy junctions, most of the work is straightforward and fairly rewarding. If you think that paying an entry fee in a race and your membership fee is sufficient to maintain the sport in its present form, please think again and offer your services regardless of which club you belong to. And if you can't help at the Peel to Douglas, have a look at the fixture list and pick out one of two other events when you can help, whether it be on the roads, the fells or the tracks.

This appeal is not aimed at the many hard working people within the sport who put so much back in, but the few who could make all the difference to safety and the enjoyment of the sport.  Here ends the lesson!

SPORTS NIGHT   (22-04-04)

I thought I had another engagement tonight which didn't materialise so I didn't buy tickets for the above. It was a great night last year and should be even better this year at the Villa Marina.

If anyone can get send me so pictures of the athletics representatives at the award winners night I should be grateful.

If you are one of the lucky people to attend, I hope you have a great time. If last year is anything to go by, you will.

 Manx Juniors to compete in Sheffield this weekend  Preview by Steve Taylor, the former Commonwealth Games walker Steve Taylor who has been invited to judge at the event.

 (21-04-04)

A party of ten Manx Harriers athletes will travel to Sheffield this  weekend to take part in the Jeff Ford Memorial Walks held at the Don Valley Stadium. The event also incorporates the Race Walking Association Young Athletes Grand Prix and Senior Women's National 5km Championships.

Leading the Manx challenge for honours will be National Champions Callum Taylor and Lauren Whelan. Callum will compete over 3km in the under 15 event and will renew rivalries with Mark O'Kane (Coventry) and Andrew Graham (Belgrave). Callum caused quite an upset at the Nationals in Leamington last month showing his competitors a clean pair of heels to take victory by over half a minute. Although he has been struggling with shin splints and a bruised foot in recent weeks he will no doubt be hoping to continue where he left off with a repeat of his National success.  

Lauren, who will compete in the under 13 race, greatly impressed on lookers with her performance in  Leamington finishing only a few seconds behind the boys in her race. Only a disaster would prevent her from winning again and with another year in this age group one only hopes that she continues to compete with success sure to come her way. She will once again be backed up by her silver medal winning team mates Bronwen Kaneen and Kirsty Taylor. They will be joined on this occasion by Fay Latham and team gold is a definite target for the girls. Like Lauren, two of her team mates have another year in the age group so the future bodes well for the young Harriers.

Sinead Kaneen will take part in the 1km event along with Abbi Moore. Whilst Sinead has competed off island on several occasions already with some distinction this will be Abbi's first off island competition. However both girls have worked hard on their technique and made huge improvements and medal success is very likely. Emma Latham, who missed the Nationals through injury will take part in the combined under 17, under 20 and senior ladies 3km. Emma will be itching to compete after having to frustratingly watch from the sidelines in Leamington whilst her team mates picked up a host of medals. She will be joined on the line for this race by her coach Liz Corran who will don her racing kit for only the second time in several years. Last time out however Liz won the veterans title in the Dublin Grand Prix after being urged to compete by her young charges and will no doubt be cheered on by the group again.

CHRIS QUINE REPORTS ON THE 1500 METRES DEVELOPMENT RACE   (21-04-04)

We had 14 runners on the line and despite the windy conditions managed to rack up a number of PBs. All times shown are unofficial.

Keiron Murray kindly offered to do some pace-making but felt strong and kept going to win in around 4.28. Andy Cannell hung on to him for the first two laps eventually recording a PB around 4.37.

It was great to see a number of young lads running well. Ben Brand and Lee Butterworth are first year under 17s and Jimmy Eccles (first year under 20 I think) all ran in the 4.40s picking up PBs along the way.

There were also a number of females from under 17 upwards.

First over the line was Julie Harrison with a PB around 4.55. Not too far behind Julie, Rachel Kelly also clocked a PB and must have great scope to improve over the coming months.

The wind must have been worth several seconds. I hope we can repeat a 1500m again in a couple of months time and see how much improvement there has been.

There was a large turn-out in all ages on the night.

Including the youngsters events there must have been between 40 and 50 running in the 1500m.

MANXIES IN GUERNSEY  PAUL JACKSON REPORTS  (15-04-04)

There was local interest in the 23rd Guernsey Island Easter Festival held last weekend. The festival includes 4 events over the Easter weekend starting with a 10Km road run in Port Soif on Good Friday. International Fell runner and temporary Isle of Man resident Paul Sheard was 4th (33m 25s) with Terry Bates in 16th place (37m 28s). 162 took part.

On Saturday 10th April the 4.75m Cross Country event attracted 136 athletes. Paul Sheard finished 3rd (25m 37s) with Terry Bates 15th (29m 39s). Terry's son Neil of Manx Harriers race walking fame was 20th (30m 14s).

Easter Sunday's race sounds like a really exciting event, the 4 x 2m Cross Country Relay at les Amarreus. From 148 individual entries, Terry Bates posted the 28th fastest leg (11m 46s) helping his team the 'Official Guernsey Vets' to overall 3rd place.

The final event is the Aurigny Half Marathon in St. Peters Port on Easter Monday. Terry was 17th (1hr 24m 27s) from 114 finishers to earn himself 8th position overall in the final festival positions.

To find out more about the Guernsey Easter Festival and to study the results in more detail follow the link below.

 http://www.guernseyathletics.org.gg/index.asp

MIDDLE DISTANCE SQUAD UPDATE    (14-04-04)

The next meeting of the Isle of Man Middle Distance squad will take place on Thursday, 15th April at the NSC track. The start time is 6 pm and the squad have been lucky enough to secure the services of international coach Jeremy Harries. Jeremy is the Athletics Development Officer  for the North West and is due to visit the island on Thursday. He has kindly agreed to fit a training session into his busy schedule.

He is a UK Athletics Level 4 coach and has been coaching for many years. Amongst the athletes that Jeremy coaches is Commonwealth Games medallist Helen Clitheroe  (nee Pattinson). He was previously coach to John Nuttall a former National Cross Country Champion and Commonwealth Games medallist.

The training is open to anyone from the under 15 age group upwards - this includes those who will be under 15s for the 2004 summer season.

This is a great opportunity for athletes and coaches to pick up new ideas from someone very much in touch with the current middle distance scene. When I spoke to him last week, Jeremy also mentioned that he felt it would be useful for any coaches to come along as well.

It is expected that the session will include a combination of drills, plyometrics and faster running. Anyone - even if they do not consider themselves to be a middle distance runner - will be welcome to join in. Standard NSC charges will apply.

Any questions to Chris Quine on 670521 or e-mail [email protected].

PEEL TO DOUGLAS JUST THREE WEEKS AWAY    (11-04-04)

This years Manx Harriers Peel to Douglas road run takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May starting at 7pm opposite the Town Hall in Peel. The 11.25mile race follows the main Peel to Douglas road to the Sea Terminal and finishing at the War Memorial on Douglas Promenade. Road running enthusiasts of all abilities are welcome to enter. Signing on will be from 6.30pm on the night. For more details tel; Paul on 487873.

FELL RUNNERS TAKE A BREAK   (11-04-04)

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS TRACK     (08-04-04)

I've just read a story saying that the track will be completed in time for the Olympic trials this year.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/3608577.stm  I hope that they are better organised with the track than the ticket distribution.  I ordered mine several months ago and they have still not arrived.

Another story I picked up from my early email news and sport emails is that former Manx resident Robert Sangster has died.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/04/08/shsang08.xml&_requestid=34997

LATEST MANX MOUNTAIN MARATHON NEWS by Richie Stevenson      (08-04-04)

EASTER ENTRIES TOP THE 100    (06-04-04)

Chris Quine reports that he has spoken with Colin Halsall, the Easter Festival Race Director, and entries (which officially closed over a week ago) are just over the 100 mark with 14 from the Isle of Man.

WALKER LINK   (06-04-04)

Here is an excellent link that Steve Taylor sent to me a couple of weeks ago that was buried in my mailbox.  A feature on Ireland's "best prospect for the Athens Olympics".  Former Manx Airlines winner Gillian O'Sullivan.

http://www.iaaf.org/magazine/news/Kind=262144/newsId=24573.html

THURSDAY REST FOR CHRIS QUINE TRAINING GROUP   (06-04-04)

I will not be holding my regular Thursday night session at the NSC this week due to the start of the Easter Festival the following day.

Of course, the following week - 15th April - there will be a session with international coach Jeremy Harries. I have been speaking with Jeremy today and I am sure that the session he is planning will be both different and interesting. Remember all are welcome to Jeremy's session - not just the Thursday regulars. Jeremy specifically mentioned he thought it would also benefit coaches too if they wanted to pick up some new ideas.

EASTER WEATHER BY ADRIAN COWIN   (05-04-04)

Early indications from our longer range charts suggest:- 

DUBLIN BOUND    (05-04-04)

Manx Harriers are organising a trip to the Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking being held on Sunday 27th June. There are races over 50km, 20km and 10km for seniors with a full programme of junior races. Anyone interested in taking part or just travelling over as a spectator are urged to contact Steve Taylor as soon as possible (tel: 473042 or email [email protected]) as the number of flights are limited.

LANCASHIRE BOUND    (05-04-04)

Di Shimell would like to remind competitors hoping to enter the Lancashire Championships that they must return the entry form and let her have the travel costs by Saturday 17 April.  On Sunday on 2 of the 50 she is expecting to travel had done so.

50 to travel? Amazing but that is her estimation.  The entry forms will be online in the next couple of days.

 NEXT WALKS      (05-04-04)

The next event on the Island is the 20km Championships on Sunday 16th May starting at 10am. The event will be staged on the popular Ronaldsway Industrial Estate course. Signing on from 9.15am at the Ronaldsway Sports and Social Club. Anyone not wishing to compete over 20km can opt for either 10km or 5km, there is also a junior event over 1, 2 or 3km depending on entries.  

HEARD IT ALL BEFORE    (05-04-04)

Sad person that I am, at midnight tonight I started updating the information booklet for our holiday cottage at Port Soderick (see www.murrayandmarie.com) on my computer - the website has had to wait until nearer 1 am. The cottage has been occupied for a long winter let for the past four months but of course all the things I said I would do when I was relieved of my Saturday job for this period have been left to the last minute as I battle against time to get ready for the first tourists arriving tomorrow lunchtime.

Anyway, my story is (Ronnie Corbett style) that I switched on Manx Radio for the news as I started and realised that, although I maybe very tired, I was surely listening to the same news as at 1 am the previous morning. At least I wasn't cracking up - they apologised for the fact. They obviously need to employ a few more staff on Douglas Head.  

Maybe when we have three radio stations on the Island, one can have the current news, one the past and one the future!

As I write (1 am) I am now able to listen to today's news - they've got it right this time!

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 10KM WALK IMPROVES by Adrian Cowin   (02-04-04)

I'm glad to report that the latest charts for this weekend are more encouraging. The previously indicated general rain fronts are now expected to be just showery troughs & even the timing of these features are now likely to be more favourable. So, now I predict rain on Friday night & at first on Saturday followed by bright or sunny intervals with just occasional showers by afternoon & a fresh south to southwest wind. Conditions for the 10KM walk championship etc on Sunday morning should be reasonable; probably dry & bright with sunny spells, a moderate to fresh west to southwest breeze & temperatures rising from 7 to 10 Celsius / 45-50F --- the risk of showers now looks likely to be confined to as the afternoon goes on, indeed they are more likely on Sunday evening. I'll do a final update from work later on Saturday.

LAMBDEN CAMERA TAKES BREAK FROM ATHLETICS  (01-04-04)

Marie has gone on her annual trip with her friend to the Grand National and taken the family camera with her. So, if you are one of the many digital camera owners around but assume that I will be flashing at Peel tomorrow night and the track on Sunday - I won't be.

I WAS THE APRIL FOOL thanks to Manx Telecom   (01-04-04)

I was up soon after 5 this morning as I was taking Marie to the ferry and I started to compile my April fools front page. I had changed my mind several times about my line and then Graham Davies and Paul Jackson sent me their contributions the night before so I was a little overloaded.

But it was a little irrelevant as, although I could download files from the internet perfectly, I couldn't upload any. I checked with Manx Telecom but they told me there was no problem.  It wasn't my webhost as I tried uplifting to another completely separate site and it wasn't my line as, when I reached work, I tried there as well. Then, lo and behold, when I tried at 1.30, everything worked perfectly.

PEEL HILL RUN  by Chris Quine (01-04-04)

If anyone fancies a "reccie" over Peel Hill in advance of the race on Easter Saturday, meet at the House of Mannanan at 11 am on Sunday.

TT APRIL FOOL (01-04-04)

David Griffiths sent this one from the www.ttwebsite.com today, which did fool a few people :

DAVE SMITH (Australian Race walker dq'd in Isle of Man in 1985) speaks his mind  via Steve Partington    (01-04-04)

That there be appointed a National Walks Coach and a Junior National Walks Coach .. elected by our own governing body ..It is quite apparent that  John Fitzgerald is only the AIS Walks coach and has no intention of fostering anything other than his own nest .I wouldnt be surprised to see him take his Olympic trip to Greece and piss off home to Canada... He certainly hasn't made any impact on Racewalking in Australia to date ..I dont suppose that he can use the EPO magic wand this Olympics ...

I am being deliberatley provocative and I would prefer that most have an opinion one way or the other .... but last year at the Walks conference in Cbr , Harry suggested that we go softly softly and not upset the current regime whilst it is going thru the transition to the Athletic Federation...So , since then we have all sat with our thmbs up our bums waiting for a bloody miracle to happen and save our sport .

If you haven't looked around lately , we are probably in the worst position we have ever been in , in regard to numbers ( male and female )quality and age groups ....   WE NEED TO HELP OURSELVES NOW!!!! .

I know that Harry wants to be the president of the Federation when we eventually become part of the Athletic Federation , and that's fine .... But If he does not want to pick up the reins ...then someone has to ... My putting my hand up last yr at the Cbr confernce and AGM was born out of frustration ...that things were not happening the we could change for the better ourselves ... I put it to all members that respect of the status quo is one thing ... If you are as passionate about your sport as I am .. then put your hand up and help  pump put the bilges before we sink and turn this bloody large ship around .

LANCASHIRE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2004  by Di Shimell  (01-04-04)

Manx Harriers are organising a trip to the Lancashire Track & field Championships at Stanley Park, Blackpool, on Saturday 15 May and Sunday 16 May.

For entry forms, travel arrangements and costs please contact Di Shimell on 623582 or ansaphone 674942. Or alternatively see her at the track Monday to Thursday 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm.

MIDDLE DISTANCE RACES by Chris Quine  (01-04-04)

Part of the strategy to develop middle distance running is to encourage and facilitate racing on the island. This will mean that runners to not have to worry about having to cover other events - as they often have to in League competitions - or travelling.

WALKING VIDEO by David Griffiths   (01-04-04)

 I have arranged to show the video I took of the recent Race Walking events at the NSC and Leamington, in the Manx Harriers Clubhouse after the 10k Championship Walks on Sunday. Thanks to Marie and Paul who have offered to loan their spare TV/video for the day.

MANX MOUNTAIN MARATHON GUEST OF HONOUR    (01-04-04)

The Guest of Honour for this years race will be Douglas Councillor Stephen Pitts who is also the Deputy Mayor of Douglas. Stephen is a big supporter of the local Fell Running scene having sponsored two races, the Laxey Fell Race and Carraghan Race for 15 consecutive years through his painting and decorating firm. He wil present the prizes at next Saturdays presentation at the Ocean Castle Hotel.