Castletown to Peel Road Race – Tuesday
18 June 2002
Organised by Western
AC
Report by Murray Lambden. Pictures by
Paula Curphey except for below (ML).

The spoils of victory. First ever
win for Ian Gale.
30 runners, the best for several years,
set off from Castletown Football Stadium, at around
7.05 and it was Murray Lambden who took the lead in
order to report the action some four hours later!
But it was a very steady pace at the
start with up to 9 runners in the bunch and Ian Gale
was always very relaxed on my shoulder. Just before
Cross Four Ways Peter Hughes took the lead and Ian went
with him. On the first climb beyond Cross Four Ways,
Peter and Ian pulled ahead while Brian Osbourne and
Ian Ronan went ahead of Murray, Paul Curphey and Mike
Garrett.
Fell running expect Ian Ronan, in his
first ever road race, did not maintain his challenge
but Brian Osbourne was determined to keep his third
spot after being re-passed briefly by Murray. On the
early part of the Ballamohda, Brian Osbourne suddenly
pulled up with a hamstring pull. He has been suffering
with a hip and back problem for some weeks but the runners
did appreciate Brian staying out to encourage them before
heading for Nobles for some treatment.

First ever road race for Ian Ronan
The never ending climb up Ballamodha
saw Ian and Peter continue to pull ahead with Murray
Lambden, Paul Curphey and Mike Garrett chopping
and changing in their inherited 3rd to 5th position.
The gap was such that I could not see exactly where
Ian Gale made his move but it was decisive.
He powered
ahead and extended his lead on the fast down hill stretches
through Foxdale. The course turned left at the Hope
and left again at Tynwald and followed the main road
to Peel Football stadium. Ian’s first ever win in the
sport came just three days after finishing third in the Patrick
Fell Race for a great win in 1.3.37.
Peter Hughes continues to consolidate
his position as an ultra reliable distance runner and
was rewarded with second place for his decisive move
early on. Murray pulled ahead of Paul and Mike at the
top of the climb and had brief hopes of catching Peter
but the gap only shortened briefly. Mike got ahead of
Paul for several miles before Paul worked his way back
only for Mike to produce a big sprint finish.

How much more can he improve? A
great run by Peter Hughes for second place.
Kevin Vondy was delighted with his 6th
spot ahead of Ian Ronan and Paul Curphey number 2. Paul
is not only a runner but also a rally driver and Island Games cycling
medallist. In addition he has represented the Isle of Man
at football, swimming and gymnastics. Oh and he works
for a living at the family leather business in Castle
Street in Douglas.

Paul Curphey ahead of Kevin Vondy.
Kevin passed Paul and Ian Ronan before the finish at
Peel Football stadium.
I’m afraid I don’t know much about the
battles further down the field but would welcome any
stories if you would like to email [email protected]
Island Games athletes Helen Simpson
and Jane Mooney took the gold and silver awards for
women with Sue Furner, who finished last year’s Parish
Walk, the third finisher.

Third place to Sue Furner.
The weather was pretty favourable. A
tail wind helped the runners most of the way although
they turned into the wind for the last two or three
miles at St Johns.
Results
Pos
|
Name
|
Time
|
1
|
Ian Gale
|
1:03:37
|
2
|
Peter Hughes
|
1:05:06
|
3
|
Murray Lambden
|
1:06:11
|
4
|
Mike Garrett
|
1:07:06
|
5
|
Paul Curphey
|
1:07:08
|
6
|
Kevin Vondy
|
1:10:30
|
7
|
Ian Ronan
|
1:10:38
|
8
|
Paul Curphey
|
1:11:10
|
9
|
Dave Young
|
1:11:13
|
10
|
Alan Poslethwaite
|
1:11:19
|
11
|
Terry Bates
|
1:11:58
|
12
|
Tom Griffin
|
1:12:18
|
13
|
Lawrence Looney
|
1:14:26
|
14
|
Paul Trees
|
1:14:27
|
15
|
Dave Roberts
|
1:14:29
|
16
|
John Grady
|
1:15:32
|
17
|
Helen Simpson
|
1:16:16
|
18
|
Allan Corran
|
1:17:13
|
19
|
Stephen Brown
|
1:17:31
|
20
|
Chris Kneen
|
1:18:07
|
21
|
Jane Mooney
|
1:18:34
|
22
|
Kevin Martin
|
1:22:25
|
23
|
Les Brown
|
1:23:02
|
24
|
Jeff Weir
|
1:23:31
|
25
|
Martin Bell
|
1:24:22
|
26
|
Paul Jackson
|
1:24:36
|
27
|
James Coulson
|
1:26:23
|
28
|
Alan Pilling
|
1:26:41
|
29
|
Sue Furner
|
1:35:38
|
|