All races were started as scratch, with the handicaps added on post race.

 

 

Senior 10k

 

Pos  No        Name                Club      Actual /Handicap/Handicap Time/Handicap position

1        47    Peter Kaneen    Manx.H        47.12      32.30        79.42                10th

2        69    David Griffiths    Manx.H        54.34      23.50        78.20                  4th

3        75    Doug Allen        IOMVAC       55.34      24.30        80.04                 14th

4        46    Bridget Kaneen  Manx.H        56.02      25.00        81.02                 21st

5        90    David Cain         U/A              58.21      21.20        79.41                  9th

6        59    Sean Hands       U/A              58.21      20.10        78.31                  5th

7        45    Les Brown          Manx.H        59.42      18.00        77.42                  3rd

8        86    Sue Biggart        U/A              60.39      16.50        77.29                  2nd

9        50    Ray Pitts            IOMVAC      63.28       16.30        79.58                12th

10      67    David Wilkinson  Manx.H        64.34       16.40         81.14                22nd

11      85    Mick Holgate      Manx.H        65.03       14.00         79.03                6th

12      66    Ron Ronan         Manx.H        65.11       15.00         80.11                16th

13      58    Alan Kinvig         IOMVAC      65.15        14.00        79.15                 8th

14      95    Moira Hall           WAC           65.49        14.00        79.49                11th

15      63    Kevin Martin        NAC            68.01        12.00        80.01                13th

16      87    Kevin Tasker       IOMVAC      68.25        12.00        80.45               =19th

17      54    Dot Watterson    IOMVAC       68.50        11.20       80.10                 15th

18      48    Sally Ann Salt    U/A              71.32         12.30      84.02                  24th

19      68    Brian Brough       Manx.H       71.37           8.40      80.17                  17th

20      74    Judy King            IOMVAC     72.53           7.50      80.43                  18th

21      78    Sarah Goldsmith  IOMVAC     73.23           5.50      79.13                    7th

22      55    Alan Pilling          IOMVAC     76.14           0.00      76.14                    1st 

23      79    Brenda Charlton   IOMVAC     76.25           4.20      80.45                  =19th

24      92    Mary Sharpe        U/A            84.01           0.00      84.01                    23rd

 

 

5k

 

Pos   No    Name                   Club            Actual / Handicap / Handicap Time/ Handicap Position

1      39    Neil Bates            Manx.H           23.47    21.00        44.47                    3rd  (under 20)

2      30    Robert Moore        Manx.H           25.13    18.50        44.03                    1st (under 17)

3      50    Allan Callow         Manx.H            25.24    18.50        44.14                    2nd

4      38    Enid Watson        IOMVAC          32.42     13.00        45.42                    4th

5      41    Margie Killey        IOMVAC          32.47     13.00        45.47                    5th

6      40    Claire Hammill        U/A               38.04       8.30        46.34                    7th

7      28    Viv Callister            U/A               45.04       1.20        46.24                    6th

 

Junior 2k

 

Pos   No     Name              Club          Actual /  Handicap / Handicap Time / Handicap Position

1       91     Callum Taylor    Manx.H        11.04       4.47         14.47                    2nd (u13)

2       77    Emma Latham    Manx.H        11.13       4.26         15.39                    4th (u15)

3       55    Lauren Whelan    Manx.H        11.44       4.10         15.54                    5th (u11)

4       98    Fay Latham        Manx.H         12.32       2.48         15.20                   3rd (u11)

5       93    Bronwen Kaneen Manx.H         13.00       1.32         14.32                    1st (u13)

 

Junior 1k

 

Pos  No     Name              Club        Actual / Handicap / Handicap Time / Handicap Position

1      90     Kirsty Taylor    Manx.H        6.18       2.36         8.54                        3rd (u11)

2      92     Sinead Kaneen Manx.H       6.42       1.57         8.39                        1st  (u9)

3      99     Abbi Moore      Manx.H        6.56       1.57         8.53                        2nd (u9)

4      89     Emily Biggart    U/A             6.56       2.12        9.08                         4th  (u11)

5      88     Catreena Moore  U/A           9.12        0.00        9.12                         5th  (u9)

 

Although better than at Andreas the overall number of competitors is still down despite some new faces. However that did not detract from some excellent racing on what can be a tough out and back course. The short rise on the return leg can appear to be a mountain to climb at the end of a 10km race if you are not at your best. 

As usual first away were the junior 1km and 2km races. The juniors were competing over a shorter 500m lap so as to encourage more competitive racing and to avoid anyone becoming isolated and of course the hill. The 1km was dominated by Kirsty Taylor who chased the 2km walkers throughout to finish in a pb of 6.18. The gap to the next walker wasn't as big as in previous races due to as Sinead Kaneen, Abbi Moore and Emily Biggart going after her from the start. It was undoubtedly too fast as they all suffered in the second half with Sinead coming out on top whilst the other tied for third fastest. At the back of this field was Catreena Moore. Whilst a very nice gesture, Catreena had her big sister walking alongside her, it slowed her down quite considerably. Sinead's efforts made her the clear winner of the race on handicap.

The 2km did not produce the three way battle on lookers expected but there was still some great walking. Up front it was Emma Latham pushing the pace back after missing the last two races through injury. On her shoulder was Callum Taylor who has produced the fastest times throughout the 2km series. Behind was a below par Lauren Whelan who has suffered with ill health and injury over the last few weeks. Lauren therefore did not produce her customary front running performance and instead sat behind the leading walkers and slowly lost contact with them. Emma was unable to shake off Callum and by the half way mark he had got his nose in front. He maintained his pace to finish in 11.04 pulling 9 seconds clear by the end. Emma no doubt suffering due to lack of training so far this year. Lauren was a clear third with Fay Latham next, walking a solo race but recording a pb of 12.32. Bringing up the field was Bronwen Kaneen. Although still way off her best having suffered ill heath all through the winter Bronwen improved enough top take the handicap race.

It was decided pre-race to start all the seniors together. The reasons for this are firstly we were unsure as to when anyone would start due to waiting for the sponsored dog walk to pass along the Access Road and also that competitors have stated that they would prefer to be waiting around after the race rather than before. Although the weather was fine on this occasion one can understand their point as there would normally be no shelter on the Access Road.

There was a better than normal turnout in the 5km with seven starters. Neil Bates returned from University to take part and lead the field from start to finish. Although recording his best 5km race time ever he was disappointed with his performance having gone off too fast and consequently suffering over the last two kilometres. Behind him Robert Moore continued his progress with yet another pb (25.13) as he raced against and beat his coach Allan Callow by 11 seconds. Enid Watson dropped down to 5km this time and just got the better of Margie Killey who we haven't seen since the first league walk. Claire Hammill was a new face in this event, looking comfortable throughout finishing in 38.04.

The 10km witnessed Peter Kaneen competing for the first time in this series of the winter league and his wife Bridget step up from 5km to 10km. Whilst Peter produced the fastest 10km of the series so far (47.12) Bridget posted the fastest time by a woman (56.02) Only six men have gone faster this winter. I have previously been critical of Peters walking but on Sunday he worked very hard to main his technique, walking as good as I have seen him do. He walked an even pace throughout but when he went passed Neil Bates he made it look as though Neil was standing still! Behind him there were some great battles. Dave Griffiths stormed through the second 5km to smash his pb (54.34) and get the better of Dougie Allen by a minute. Sean Hands tracked David Cain the whole race and just as it looked as though David would get the better of him, Sean produced a sprint to tie on the line, both setting pbs of 58.21.

It was good to see Les Brown back breaking the hour again, Sue Biggart improved again going close to the hour. Moira Hall showed no signs of jet lag and producing her fastest time of the winter having improved in every round as has Alan Kinvig. The winner on handicap was Alan Pilling by 75 seconds.

Taking first and last out of the equation there was a mere 3mins 49 seconds between the walkers on Sunday, once again well done to the handicapper, Peter Clague.

The next race is the Steam Packet Invitation Walks on March 1st to be held at the Bowl. the final winter league is on March 16th also at the Bowl.