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]
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OLD
NEWS
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BIG NAMES WITHDRAW - says Steve
Taylor (27-02-04)
|
According to the paper Colin Griffin
last years winner of the 20km walk is not coming
over due to injury, Rob Heffernan sadly has decided
not to travel either. According to Allan he doesn't
feel capable of doing the times required without
any serious opposition and granted he would be well
ahead of his nearest opponent.
One possible late entrant in the 10km run is
Kevin Wynne-Smythe who is flying in from Panama
to see his Mum who is retiring today from Friends
Provident.
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WEATHER CHECK FOR SUNDAY -
by Richie Stevenson (27-02-04)
|
We are keeping a close watch on all the weather
forecasts in the run-up to Sundays race. Thursdays snow fall hit the south of
the island particularly hard and with the temperatures staying low there is
little chance of much thawing especially on the higher ground. This in itself is
not a problem as we tend to crack on whatever the conditions but there could be
difficulties if there is any more snow with regard to the Round Table Road and
its possible closure which would leave us with no other choice than to
postpone. At the moment the Department of Transport have advised that the road
is passable with care. If it stays like that we are ok although anyone following
the race should be extremely careful. I will have a look at conditions at the
Round Table on Saturday afternoon,check with the met. office to get the latest
forecast and will put a message on Murray's site early evening.
It goes without saying that all runners must be
kitted out with clothing to suit the cold conditions. If we don`to think you are
properly prepared you will not be permitted to start.
We still have not got enough marshals for Sundays
race, only one person has come forward with the offer of help. Three more are
needed so please, anyone who is not racing put a small bit back into the
sport. |
CROSS COUNTRY POSITIONS - corrections
by Andy Fox (26-02-04)
|
Graham Clarke came 165th. at Newark
in 1988. That means Darren is the 5th. highest Manx
finisher in the senior National at present. Apologies
to Graham. Also we could argue Manx AC athletes
were/are not Manx Harriers athletes so Northern
are actually the third local club to be represented
at the champs.
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SATURDAY WITHDRAWALS (26-02-04)
|
David Griffiths (20km walk) and
Mike Garrett (10km run) are the only two known withdrawals
so far due to injuries. David is also out
of the Leamington Grand Prix next month but Mike
hopes to start light training again at the weekend.
Neil Bates was reported to be "very
unlikely" when last I spoke with him. If anyone
has any further news (hopefully everyone else will
start) then share it either directly via the forum
or indirectly via email.
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COACHING REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
- Andy Fox reports (25-02-04)
|
Throws and Pole Vault Coaching 6th.
and 7th. of March.
Merrik Bousfield is returning for his last set
of coaching sessions on the weekend above. His work
has been much valued by those who have attended.
We have a PV coach coming over as well. His name
is Rob McKenna and he is also from Liverpool Pembroke.
He will bring his own poles. This is an event much
in need of development on the IOM so any youngsters
or older athletes who are keen are encouraged to
attend. Full details will be posted out this week
and on this website soon. Please reply to Andy Fox
by next Wednesday. If you want to know more now
just ring him on 626415 or email [email protected]
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MIDDLE DISTANCE TRAINING by
Chris Quine (25-02-04)
|
All Middle Distance enthusiasts should make a note
of Saturday 13th March in their diaries. This is the date for the next Isle of
Man Middle Distance Squad training day. This will take place at the NSC (based
in the Indoor Area) starting at 10.30 am through to around 3.30 pm. The schedule
for the day is still being finalised but it hoped that it will include the
following: - Andy Fox to give a talk on
the progression of Keith Gerrard's training over the last two years. This should
be especially useful to those juniors hoping to emulate Keith's achievements as
it will give them an insight into what is required to reach that
standard. - A talk on appropriate kit
and equipment. What is useful for different training sessions and races.
- A "bleep test" . This was done last November
so will enable athletes to compare their progress since then. For those who did
not do the test then, this will be a chance to record a mark for future
comparison. - An easy group run to
finish off the day.
Once the details
are finalised. these will be published.
The session will be open to all from under 15s
upwards.
Thanks are again due to
Manx Sport and Recreation for their continued support of these sessions.
If anyone has questions please contact
Chris Quine on 670521 or e-mail [email protected].
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MANX MOUNTAIN MARATHON UPDATE
by Richie Stevenson (25-02-04)
|
Entry forms are now available for Easters Manx
Mountain Marathon and the reintroduced Half Mountain Marathon. Contact Tony
Rowley or download from MMM web site manxmountainmarathon.co.uk .
Entries are not very promising at the moment but we
are hoping things will speed up in the next few weeks. Last years winer Ian Gale
is already in as is Clayton Le Moors Paul Thompson who always runs extremely
well and has many top three placings to his name.
|
WALKERS NIGHT OUT UPDATE by
David Griffiths (25-02-04)
|
The latest on the meal for the race-walking
fraternity at La Piazza on Saturday night (8pm) is that I now have 30 names
(although one or two have still to confirm). The restaurant have told me tonight
that the maximum they can accommodate is about 32, so we are now getting close
to the limit. Those I have on my list at present are :
Peter & Bridget Kaneen
Martin & Jo Hesketh
Jeff Cassin
Estle Viljoen (assumed)
Neil Bates
Dan & Dominic King
Marie Latham & Paul Jackson
Maureen & Simon Cox
John & Angela Stubbs
Andi Drake
Allan & Gladys Callow
Steve Taylor
Jane Gibson (possible)
Steve & Cal Partington
Dave Turner
David Kidd (2)
Rob Heffernan
Michael Lane
Catriona McMahon
David Griffiths & Gail Musson
If anyone else is
interested in joining us, or if I've missed anyone off the list, please contact
me as soon as possible. Either email me on [email protected] or ring me on 01624
801341 (home) or 01624 686535 (work).
I have emailed this message to those whose email
addresses I have, and hope this message will reach some of the
others.
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FASTEST
EVER WALKER AT THE NSC TO RETURN ON
SATURDAY by Steve Taylor
(21-02-04)
|
Rob Heffernan returns to the Isle
of Man seeking a fast 20km time in his
build up towards this years Olympics.
Rob is the fastest man over 20km around
the famous Bowl circuit with a time
of 1.21.54 set in 2002 but he does not
hold the all comers record. That honour
goes to the great Spanish walker Jose
Marin who finished in 1.21.41 when winning
the Lugano Cup at St.Johns in 1985.
Jeff Cassin's winning time of 4.09.44
for the 50km event last year is the
fastest 50km at the Bowl by far but
the all comers record is held by incredible
Hartwig Gauder of the then East Germany
another Lugano winner in a time of 3.47.31.
His victory in the 50km event gave East
Germany the overall team title that
year after East Germany and USSR tied
on points. The rules stated that in
the event of a tie then 1st place will
be awarded to the team whose first man
finishes highest in the 50km event.
USSR's Andre Perlov had finished second.
Jeff Cassin setting
the best 50km at the NSC last February.
Murray Lambden's picture illustrates
why race walking is always so controversial.
Gillian O'Sullivan, world championship
silver medallist last year, is the fastest
women around the Bowl, her time of 1.29.57
is also an all comers record. This was
the first time that she broke through
the magical 90 minute barrier. Along
with her countrywoman Olive Loughnane
they are the only women to have beaten
100 minutes for 20km on the Island.
Accepting that Gillian would have
at least one sub 45 split during her
fast 20km but in an actual 10km event
the all comers record and fastest 10km
at the Bowl belongs to Deirdre Gallagher
of Ireland with a time of 45.12 set
in 1996. This is over a minute quicker
than Yan Hong of China who won the 1985
Eschborn Trophy. Deirdre is the only
woman to break 46 minutes in a 10km
race on the Island.
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KEITH
GERRARD 5th IN NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY
|
DARREN
GRAY TOP SENIOR
Darren
Gray 200
Andy
Fox 343
Andy
Cannell 350
Nick
Percival 539
Chris
Quine 545
Dave
Newton 723
Andrew
Newton 61th and Lee Butterworth 198th
Chris
phoned on Saturday evening. Keith
was really pleased after a battle for
third place. He is still only
17 and will have two further years in
this age group and was easily the best
of his year of birth on Saturday. Darren
started fast and was in the top 100
during the early stages, so despite
being the top Manxman in a good position,
he faded. The same was true of
Andy Fox and Andy Cannell. Andy
Fox was reported to be disappointed.
Chris finally made his mind up
to run half an hour before the start
and started slowly. He overtook
about 100 runners on the second of three
laps and was still passing people at
the end. It was only in the last
half mile he caught sight of Nick. The
course was very hilly but generally
runnable - there was just one very muddy
patch. Colin Moore is visiting
his old clubmates at Bingley Harriers
and may have had a cup of tea or two with
them last night! Some of the Manx party were
staying over at Leeds on Saturday night
but all the younger athletes
were back on the island last night.
The second placed team in
the National, Leeds City,
are rumoured to running in the Easter
festival.
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STUDENTS
DO IT INDOORS Phil Riley reports
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As far as i know there will be at
least five Manx athletes competing at the BUSA Indoor
Athletics Championships this weekend. These are:
Phil Riley (Leeds Uni)
Hollie Bass (Leeds Met)
Hannah Riley (Chester)
Chris Stobart (Bath)
Glynn Hoosen-Owen (UWIC)
These are the only four i know are definitely
going. I spoke to Chris at christmas who said he
fully expected to be competing barring injury. I
also finally bumped into Hollie last week, Leeds
is a big city but you would have expected us to
bump into each other a lot sooner considering we
use the same track!!! She's competing in the 400m
and triple jump. Hollie said that Hannah is making
her own way to Cardiff but staying with the Leeds
Met team, who are based in a caravan park just outside
Cardiff owing to the fact its Carling Cup Final
weekend and hotels are at a premium!
I'll let you know how we all get on asap, apologies
if i've missed out any other manxies going this
weekend but these are the only people i know of.
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AND
YOUNGSTERS HONOURED OUTDOORS AS WELL reports Chris
Quine
|
Three Isle of Man athletes have been
selected to run for Lancashire in next months Inter Counties Cross Country
Championships in Nottingham on Saturday 6th March. Andrew Newton (under 15),
Chris Shimmin (inder 17) and Keith Gerrard (under 20) have all been rewarded for
excellent performances in last months Lancashire Championships. Keith's race
also doubles as the trial race for the World Cross Country Championships due to
be held in Brussels.
The
meeting is traditionally broadcast in full by Sky Sports so look out for details
of this over the next couple of weeks.
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WHERE
DOES SPORT FIT IN?
|
When I was young and an idealist,
I subscribed to the theory that sport and politics
should not be mixed. This theory completely ignores
the reality of life, particularly during the time
I refer to when the old Communist bloc of Eastern
Europe would do virtually anything to achieve success
for their country. It also ignores the other
side of the coin. How often do we have to
use politics to achieve our sporting desires? Do
you think we would have the National Sports Centre
now if the sport in the Island had not made it a
political issue?
Sport, by its very nature, is a
part of our society. Through it we'll see examples
of all the good and bad things in our society. We'll
undoubtedly see examples of greed that drive some
in the sport at the professional level, beyond boundaries
that we find acceptable. We'll also, no doubt,
all have seen or heard about examples of genuine
sportsmanship, something I still believe in, from
people we know. Most of these things go unreported.
Even at professional level, some
athletes know how to lose as well as to win. I'm
sure many people saw Haile Gebrselassie, the Olympic
champion and surely one of the all time greats,
on TV smiling his way out of defeat on Friday. "The race tonight was about times and I was looking at the clock on every lap,
but Markos came up behind me at the last minute. It is good that the younger Ethiopians are coming through to keep the flag
flying" he is reported as saying with that massive smile on his face.
But sadly there is another athlete
who had the Olympic dream who will never be seen
smiling again. Several people contacted me on Friday
to let me know about, Albert Heppner, a USA race
walker who was so tragically found dead a few days
after a 50km trial race. One
of several reports of the tragedy can be found here.
Steve Taylor advises me that he won the 50km
race in Manchester in early 2002 when it was also
used as a Commonwealth Games selection race.
Like every other aspect of our lives,
there will be some things in sport that we never
understand.
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THANKS
TO GRAHAM DAVIES FOR THE FOLLOWING (19-02-04)
|
The following details on this Saturday's English
National Cross Country Championships are now available on the NoEAA web site
at http://www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk/cross-country/nat_x_champs.htm
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FELL
RUNNING THIS SUNDAY (22 FEBRUARY) by Paul Jackson
(19-02-04)
|
This Sunday's fell run is just 7 days before the Bradda Fell
Race, and so the advice we've been given is to do just a steady couple of hours
this weekend. We'll be meeting at 8.30am the top of the Sloc (known as '911')
parking on the track just 100yrds or so north of the gate/path up to Cronk ny
Aree Laa. We'll probably run back over the race route as far as Fleshwick and
back with the option of an extra loop to the Round Table crossroads and
back.(maybe even up and down South Barrule for some)
As Tony mentioned on the Forum this is a steady, sociable run
and we go at the pace of the slowest, so anyone is welcome to come along whether
or not you intend to run the race. There is always plenty of banter and good
advice to hand. It would be great to see some new faces (as well as the usual
'old' ones!!)
If you require further information give me a call Paul 611179
or 487873.
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MET
OFFICE DID FORECAST CORRECTLY but not such a warm
welcome by Adrian Cowin (19-02-04)
|
My face was in fact untouched in the fall
at the end of the walk on Sunday, a pity some would say! My watch is
being repaired by Corletts, my elbow is still stiff & bruised and the two
gravel cuts in my hand have stopped seeping but still sting. I must say thanks
to those that helped me after the fall -- including Liz, Bridget and the girls
especially little Sinead who went running off to get an ice pack from the
clubhouse. Of course I must point out that although I didn't predict the fall
on Sunday, the spring-like conditions were forecast correctly!
Indeed, perhaps I'm a lucky omen for the league events because each round that
I've attended have enjoyed good weather with some sunshine.
Thanks also to all those encouraging me in this my
first year of walking; in particular Brenda, Bridget, Doug & Steve. I'm
enjoying it and although I'm a relative slowcoach my 5km times are coming down
steadily with a new PB achieved at each event so far. One thing above all else
that is getting me back into athletics is your excellent website with it's
up-to-date news items, the forum and prompt reports / results / pictures from
all the various events including Steve Taylor's comments & race reports.
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HELP
NEEDED FOR MOUNTAIN MARATHON ON EASTER SATURDAY
by Richie Stevenson (18-02-04)
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Helpers are required for Easters Manx Mountain
Marathon. If you can spare even just a couple of hours please get in
touch me on 629267 [email protected]
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RACE
WALKERS NIGHT OUT ON 28 FEBRUARY by David Griffiths
(18-02-04)
|
The latest update on the meal at La Piazza
Restaurant on Saturday 28th February at 8pm, following that day's Invitation
Race Walk Meeting, is that approximately 25 have so far confirmed that they will
be attending. I am pleased to say that many of the visiting walkers have
confirmed that they will be coming along. We have been allocated the upstairs
part of the restaurant to ourselves, which can accommodate about 30-35 people -
so I would ask anyone else who would like to join us that night to contact me as
soon as possible so that we can get an accurate idea of the numbers. My phone
numbers are 801341 (home) or 686535 (work), or you can email me at [email protected]
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THE
LATE RAY KINRADE by Richie Stevenson (18-02-04)
|
Another fine sporting personality left us last week
when Ray Kinrade passed away at just 55 years of age. Ray or "Fishy" as he was
affectionately known by his many friends was known mostly in the sporting
world for his involvement in angling (where the nickname came from) darts and
soccer at which he was a very accomplished player turning out for Gyms over a
long period of time. His involvement in athletics came in the Douglas fireman's
runs when they were held a few years back. He was a regular competitor in the
short jog section, thoroughly enjoying his Thursday evening blast around the
streets of Douglas before adjourning to the Foresters for a couple of pints and
a ciggie. Fishy was a real Manx character who loved his sport and we will miss
him greatly.
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MANX
HARRIERS WALKS GENT MENTION ON NATIONAL WEBSITE
by Steve Partington (18-02-04)
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http://www.ukathletics.net/
Daniel King Walks to Record
16 Feb 2004 16:46
Daniel King (Coventry University AC & Colchester
Harriers) set a UK Under 23 Indoor 5000m Walk record
of 20.24.04 in Belfast yesterday at the Irish Indoor
Championships. He finished third behind triple Olympic
Champion Robert Korzeniowski from Poland and Ireland¹s
Robbie Heffernan.
It is the fastest time by a British athlete for
12 years and breaks the Under 23 record set in 1985
by Phil Vesty by 6.58 seconds. The last time he
lined up against Korzeniowski in Russia in 2003
he was somewhat overawed, starting too quickly and
struggling in the closing stages. In Belfast he
produced a mature even paced performance to break
the record and take his biggest podium finish to
date!
Dan studies Sport & Exercise Science and
is a recipient of a Sporting Excellence Scholarship
from the University and last week was part of the
team that placed seventh in the BUSA Cross Country
Championships - the best ever finish by the University
- together with Matt Lole (Fine Art), twin brother
Dominic King (Sport & Exercise Science) and
Job King (Physiotherapy).
His next race will be the first European Athletics
Association Grand Prix of the season over 20km in
Douglas, Isle of Man on 28 February with his brother
Dominic. They will be seeking to qualify for the
Norwich Union GB Team to compete in the World Cup
of Race Walking in Germany in May.
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LINKED
TO WESTERN AC SITE (18-02-04)
|
Thanks to Western AC for adding
a link fro their site to this one. The circular
loops between the different Manx (and other) sites
is helpful to everyone.
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NEIL
BATES UNLIKELY STARTER IN MANX HARRIERS 20KM WALK
(18-02-04)
|
Unfortunately it seems that I tore a muscle in
my right calf on Sunday . After some treatment from Steve Brearley it has loosened off, but I have been advised
to not train on it for a week until I return back to see Steve next
Monday.
This does mean that really the most crucial week in
my build up the Manx Harriers 20km is not going to go ahead and if all goes well
next Monday I will only have 5days training before it. So it looks as if a good
20km is not on the cards, but I am still hopeful in starting and getting a good
solid base to work towards for Leamington.
But the most important thing at the moment is my
recovery. Although full time this year, I am not wanting much as the way of
results this year I am more looking long term and towards 2005 and 2006, if this
means I have to take time out and recover properly that's what I have to
do.
I'm trying to stay up beat and will be keeping up
strength work etc and getting swimming every day (it seemed to work for Nathan
Deakes) but it looks like the 20km will be left to Dom and Dan!
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FELL
RUNNING SQUAD SELECTED (16-02-04)
|
A squad of runners has been selected from which
teams will be selected for the International races we hope to go to this year.
The mens squad is
Ian Gale Brian Osbourne Tony Okell Simon
Skillicorn Mark Preston Mike Quine Phil Mackie
females are
Cal Partington Rose Hooton Christine
Barwell
These squads can be added to as and when we think
other runners have reached a certain standard. Training sessions will be held
throughout the season including the Tuesday night runs and all squad members
will be expected to attend a good percentage of these. As in the past we will
welcome all runners to participate in the training although obviously the squad
members will take priority. Next Saturday 21st Feb. there wil be a get together
at 1.00pm at the old Pitch and Putt course at Nobles Park for a short but hard
speed sesion. If there are any juniors who wish to become involved just turn up
next Saturday or contact me 629267 [email protected]
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CROSS
COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS REPORT BY GRAHAM DAVIES
|
One of the best ever Isle of Man Cross Country Championships
took place at Abbeylands last weekend, the course was a real test of stamina
and strength and showed what running over the rough stuff was all about.
While most of the races went to form in the windy but very
muddy conditions the senior mens race produced an upset! Darren Gray started
as pre-race favourite to clinch the gold medal but nobody had told Andy Cannell
that, and the two set off at a furious pace, making their intentions from the
start, Gray led for the first two laps with Cannell only yards behind with Andy
Fox, Ian Gale and reigning champion Paul Clarke all in close contention.
The final lap saw Cannell move to front with Gray only yards
behind as they came back into view with about a quarter of a mile to go the gap
was starting to grow and this resulted in a brilliant win for the Northern AC
athlete with Gray just 13 seconds behind in second place. Andy Fox took a fine
third, but the battle for fourth was still on as Gale took a wrong turn coming
into the finishing straight and had to sprint for the line as Clarke closed to
within two seconds of him crossing the line. With the final runner home the
results were unraveled to show that Andy Fox had won the veterans title from
Ian Gale with last years overall champion Paul Clarke third, Murray Lambden won
the over 45 veterans class from Phil Cain with Alan Bagley third, Dave Newton
won the over 50 class as did Robbie Callister the over 60s.
The galloping gourmet Thomas Davies took a few hours off
work to retain his junior mens title from Andrew Cowley with Robbie Lambden
third.
Another shock came in the Ladies race as pre-race favourite
Cal Partington took an early lead, only to pull up with the same injury
sustained in last years league meeting on this course. (I would give this
course a miss next year Cal) Julie Harrison Island Games gold medallist seized
her chance and produced a strong run to claim the Ladies title from Bridget
Kaneen with Abigail Harrison third, newcomer Gill Strip took a fine fourth
place on her debut and won Veterans Class from Western AC athlete Michelle
Kewley with Marie Latham just getting the better of Gail Musson for the bronze
medal, both ladies did very well stepping up from the short course event.
Claire Franklyn was the only junior lady to enter as was
Julia Furner in the under 17 girls so both girls had comfortable wins.
Stephanie Lace added the under 15 girls championship crown to her league title
with a twenty-five second victory over track star Harriet Pryke. Junior fell
race champion Andrew Newton had just under a minute to spare as he took gold in
the under 15 boys, Lee Butterworth took silver with newcomer Bobby Kneale from
Castle Rushen High School beating one of the pre-race favourites Ben Brand for
the bronze. A poorly advertised Short Course event resulted in a poor entry but
quality field, Manx 800 metre record holder Keiron Murray was not worried he
took the gold with seven seconds to spare over Steve Bennett with Richard Cooil
third, Veteran athlete Doug Corkill finished a creditable fourth.
Closest race of the day was the under 13 girls, four seconds
separated the top three, after a race long tussle Nicola Cooil took gold by one
second from team mate Sophie Knox who in turn had just a three second advantage
over Rachael Franklin.
Unfortunately hot favourite Jordan Cain was ill and could
not defend his under 13 boys title. So who would claim his crown? Inter
Schools champion Richard Seed, team mate Tom Bateson or runner up in the cross
country league Michael Callister? Well it was Bateson; he saw his opportunity
for glory and took it with an excellent run to win by just under half a minute
from Seed with Callister a further five seconds behind.
The under 11 boys race was a complete duplication of the Manx
Gas Cross Challenge league positions with Philip Knox representing St Marys
School in first place, Dean Kinley from the Western Club second and Jack
Callaghan from Manx Harriers third.
Lauren Whelan defended her under 11 girls title with a
comfortable victory over Emily Ashe with Fay Latham third. The under 9 boys and
girls race went completely to form with Eric Kelly taking gold from Jake Nathan
with Jack Garrett third, Alice Ashe took the girls title following sister Emily
who won the title last year, second was Alexandra Ross with Sinead Kaneen
third.
Manx Harriers completely dominated the team events winning
everyone they entered which just underlines why they not only dominate here on
the Island but in Lancashire too.
One very noticeable fact came to light during the
Championships and that was the initiative set up by Chris Quine of a middle
distance training group, practically all the members of his performance
management program won gold, including the juniors that join in on Thursday
evening, it looks very much like its paying dividends already!
A big thank to Andy
Fox and his helpers for marking out the course and to all the Officials who
stood in the freezing cold and windy conditions to give us a great
Championships, in addition Henry Harvey who was a great Cross Country Champion
himself many years ago, thank you for allowing us the use of his land on the
day.
So we now look to the National Championships in Leeds, the
Inter Counties in Nottingham and the English Schools before our Cross Country
season finally ends here on the 21st March with the final round of
the Manx Gas Cross Challenge.
|
WESTERN
AC LAUNCH WEBSITE (13-02-04)
|
Many thanks to Phil Mackie for letting
me know that Western AC have a new website - and
an impressive design it is too (see the front page
for the link).
I'm sure it will be much welcomed
by Western AC members and others who wish to compete
in Western AC events. Phil tells me that all of
the club's results will be available online
which is absolutely fantastic.
I also welcome it as part of my
long term objective to spend less time on this site
and the more information that can be provided online
for people interested in our sport the better -
things have changed a lot in just three years. In
the short term, its also great news for me as there
are more than enough features there to keep
everybody occupied tonight so I can take the rest
of the evening off!
Only one slight disappointment.
After three years of trying to keep the island
(plus friends and Manxies around the world) informed,
I would have thought that www.manxathletics.com
would have at least been worthy of a link from any
Manx club site being launched! I'm sure that
www.parishwalk.com
would also be of interest to one or two of Western
AC's members.
The challenge has also been set
for Manx Harriers and Northern AC. I undertook
to register the www.manxharriers.com
domain some years ago and to coach someone to set
a club site up. Despite spending several evening
introducing website design to different people nobody
has taken up this challenge as yet. At least most
of the Manx Harriers results are made available
to me which cannot be said of Northern AC. Wouldn't
it be great to have the Ramsey Firemans and the
Mooragh Park road run results online for example.
The race is on!
Just a reminder that the first club
site to be launched was the Isle
of Man Veteran Athletes Club about 5 years ago.
|
MEANINGFUL
CHAMPIONSHIPS (12-02-04)
|
The Manx Cross Country Championships
have re-grown in stature in recent years and there
were very few middle to long distance runners who
were not taking part at Abbeylands last Sunday.
Its full marks to the coaches, the officials
and the athletes themselves for realising that we
all benefit if we go head to head in a meaningful
competition rather than a few racing here and a
few racing there etc.
Can the same be said for many of
our other Manx championships? How many people could
name how many road running championships we have?
I'm not sure but I think we have a marathon, half
marathon, 10 miles and a 10km. Does anyone know
when they are held, other perhaps than the marathon.
Is anyone more likely to compete in the Northern
10 Miles or the Western 10 Miles because they are
awarded championship status in any particular year?
The rotation of the championships between different
races means that some years the title can be held
for less than six months.
For many years there was only one
road running championship - the Peel to Douglas.
The junior road running championships were held
as part of the event. In fact, Peter McElroy continued
to call the Peel to Douglas the Road Running Championships
long after they were so designated.
Has the time come to consider a
re-think.
Should we revert to the Peel to
Douglas being THE championships?
Should we instead have a fixed weekend
in the year for an Island 10 Mile championship?
The clubs could use different courses each
year.
Should we save ourselves the bother
of organising a road running championship because
nobody cares less?
Should we scrap all the existing
road races, close the roads one weekend and combine
a major road race with a fun run? The road running
titles could be decided during the festival of running.
They would really earn respect if thousands
were taking part.
Do championships spoil races by
putting off the less serious runner.
This article was going to go on
discuss track and field titles as well but I've
run out of time.
So go to the forum and tell me and
all the other surfers what you think about Manx
championships!
|
MANX
HARRIERS 10KM RUN FILLING UP FAST (12-02-04)
|
Bridget Kaneen reports that entries
are flowing in well for the 10km road run at the
National Sports Centre two weeks on Saturday. She
is particularly pleased to receive so many entries
from newcomers to the sport.
So many of our regular runners tend
to leave it to the last moment that they might even
get a nasty shock and find that the race is fully
subscribed - remember that there will be a limit
to the entry that the lap scorers can cope with.
Don't take a chance - enter today.
ENTRY
FORMS HERE
|
STEVE
TAYLOR PREVIEWS SUNDAY'S WALKS (12-02-04)
|
Race walking returns to the local calendar this Sunday
with round 6 of the Halifax / Bank of Scotland winter league to be held on
the TT Access Road. This event was put back a week due to a clash with the
rescheduled IOM cross country championships.
So far 58 people have taken part
in the league with a few racing over different distances. Overall numbers are
well down on last year but after a good turn out for the last event in
Andreas one hopes that the tide is turning.
Although numbers are down and indeed the overall standard
is worse than in previous years there has been some positive performances
throughout the fields and over all the distances. Lauren Whelan has
dominated the junior event this year but lacks any real opposition in order
for her to push herself to the limit.
We have been buoyed by the return
of Steve Partington and Kevin Walmsley in the senior ranks and the emergence
of juniors Emma Latham and Callum Taylor in the senior 5km event. Sean
Hands winner two years ago has continued to improve and looks set to go
faster still. He has already reduced his personal best to below 55.30 and I
can foresee a low 50's 10km later this year.
The number of new faces
competing is certainly a positive for the sport but the non appearance of some of
the more regular walkers is disappointing. It is only two weeks until the Manx Harriers Invitation
20km / 50km event and out top athletes may use this weeks race as a final
sharpener before that. Peter Kaneen showed at Andreas that despite his
endurance based training so far this winter he still possess a great turn
of speed with a sub 46 clocking whilst Marie Latham destroyed her rivals
when breaking through 55 for the first time ever.
Full time athlete
Neil Bates has reduced his pbs over the winter and will no doubt be looking for
a fast work out prior to pitting himself against Britain's finest at the
Bowl. We certainly haven't seen the best of Super Vet Allan
Callow this winter as he continues to struggle to regain fitness after what
seems like a year long virus but his 5km at Andreas was his best for a while and
he will undoubtedly work hard for a fast time on Sunday whilst at
the same time acting as pace maker for one of his younger charges.
With the National Championships only one week after the
last winter league,this Sunday gives the juniors the last chance to really
have a go. Callum Taylor and Emma Latham have both stepped up to 5km this
winter and have performed admirably, a close race yet again between the
two could see them break through 28 minutes. Lauren Whelan as mentioned has
lacked the opposition but will no doubt give her all as always, she
will of course get her chance against her elder rivals at the Invitation
event.
The overall winner will be the person with the most
points from their five best races. After the first five races only the 10km
event has a current leader,
1st - 461 points -
Brian Goldsmith
2nd - 453 points -
John Robinson
3rd - 442 points -
Sarah Goldsmith
4th - 439 points -
Dave Wilkinson
5th - 436 points -
Brenda Charlton
6th - 433 points -
Brian Brough
7th - 432 points -
Jan Hodgson
No doubt after Sundays event these positions will have
changed dramatically and the current standings will be published along with
the results.
Competitors are asked to sign on at the Manx Harriers
clubhouse from 9.30am with the first event away at 10am. Refreshments will be
available for all in the clubhouse after the event.
|
BRADDA
FELL RACE PREPARATION by Paul Jackson (11-02-04)
|
There will be a group 'reccy' this Sunday in preparation for
the Bradda Fell race on 29th February.
Meet at Bradda Glen Car Park at 8.30 Sunday morning for a run
over the full race route ( or turn back at any point for anyone wishing to do a
shorter run). Everyone welcome. Any questions, ring Paul
611179/487873.
|
MANX
HARRIERS 10KM - Paul Jackson reports (11-02-04)
|
The Grand Finale of the Manx Harriers Open Invitation Meeting
on 28th February 2004 at 3pm is the popular 10K run around 12 1/2 laps of the
NSC perimeter road way . This is a scarce opportunity locally to record an
accurate 10K time over this fast flat course.
The event is open to road running enthusiasts of all abilities
and Manx Harriers are pleased to have already received entries from experienced
competitors and many newcomers tackling the distance for the first time.
Expect a great atmosphere on the course as the
racewalking events end and everyone gathers to cheer you to the finish before
joining together in the Manx Harriers Clubhouse for the prize presentation and
buffet which is included in the entry fee (£6). Extra buffet tickets are
available for supporters (£3).
Entry forms must be in by Monday 23rd February and are
available from Bridget (852884) or Paul (611179) or at HERE
|
MIDDLE
DISTANCE TRAINING (09-02-04)
|
The Isle of Man Middle Distance squad
will be meeting for a training session this Saturday, 14th February at 10.30 at
the NSC track. Runners should bring their spikes as it is intended to train on
the grass at the Spring Valley/Pulrose playing fields. We should be finished
around 11.45 to 12 pm.
Remember these sessions are open to all from under 15s
upwards.
We are trying
to add in more weekend sessions as well now as the track season approaches both
through the squad gatherings and by encouraging athletes to attend other
organised sessions such as that organised by Andy Fox at the sand dunes
recently. If the results at last weekend's cross country championships are
anything to go by, then these sessions are really helping the runners to
improve.
There will be a
longer session in mid March. This include a further fitness test to measure
progress since last November - further details shortly.
Anyone with questions should contact Chris
Quine on 670521 or e-mail [email protected].
|
50KM
WALK DEFINITELY GO AHEAD AS IRISH STAR CONFIRMS
ENTRY
Bridget
Kaneen reports (09-02-04)
|
Have just been speaking to last years winner of the 50k race Jeff Cassin, he has become the magic 8th entry
we were looking for to hold our 50k race on 28th.
Entry for the 50km is as follows so far (you can still enter
up to the closing date now that we have our minimum.)
Steve Arnold
Mark Byrne
Jeff Cassin
Simon Cox
Andi Drake
Peter Kaneen
Alan Kinvig
John Stubbs
|
CROSS
COUNTRY RESULTS (07-02-04)
|
I got the impression from hard working
IOMAA secretary yesterday that the results would
be pretty late last night because of all of his
commitments. In fact they came through at
about 10 pm just a few minutes after I had left
my PC for the night so sorry I didn't get them published
last night.
If you have any corrections (I've
already alerted him to one), please send them to
Graham at [email protected]
and not to me. I prefer not to edit the results
even if I see an inevitable error somewhere.
|
FORUM
DIFFICULTIES (07-02-04)
|
I know how much visited the forum
is even though the majority of viewers are too shy
to add their own comments. It is therefore
frustrating to find stupid entries from someone
adding links to "teen sites". Luckily
it was only added (probably automatically to hundreds
of forums) at 4.30 and I was able to delete it at
6.30.
|
CHRISTINE
GOES DOWN UNDER - Paul Jackson reports (07-02-04)
|
Christine Barwell flies to Australia today (Saturday) for a 4
week holiday visiting family and friends. She will be continuing her Manx
Mountain Marathon training around the streets and harbour in Sydney and hopes to
be able wear the Western AC or IOMVAC colours in a local road running
event. Christine will be keeping in touch with Manx Athletics via the website.
She denies rumours that she has gone to escape the teasing
about her unusually frequent photographic appearances in the Isle of Man
newspapers in recent months!. |
ALL
GOOD NEWS FROM NEIL BATES
RON
PICKERING GRANT FOR JUNIOR RACE WALKER (06-02-04)
|
Training has been going well. After taking a
few easy days for a chance to get over my first
solid block in the lead up to the IoM 20km, and
of course the Leamington Nationals. I was back into
full swing again on Thursday.
My plans are now set for the next two month leading
into leamington where I am hoping my first National
20km will go well.
Other news. This year I was pleased to receive
a support grant from the Ron Pickering Memorial
fund again.
Its all good news from my side.
|
FIRST
EVER RAMSEY FIREMANS WINNER DAVE RONAN LOOKS BACK
(06-02-04)
|
I remember Mick Hannay
setting off really quickly, as he was inclined to do. He was a few yards ahead
of me on the first lap and not really knowing the course, being the first time
it was used, he was going to carry on up Queens Pier
Road instead of bearing
left up Waterloo
Road. I was tempted to let
him carry on but I did call him back! He only lost a couple of
seconds.
At that time I was
training regularly with Brenda Walker, who was being coached by Hamish Telfer.
Hamish was good enough to give me some me some help and a training programme
which appeared to be working. Brenda won the short race that
night.
I was interested
looking through the results to find the name of another Kenmac employee who I
hadn'd realised had done any running. Maurice O'Reilly works in our Inspection
Department. Maurice tells me it was his only Ramsey Fireman's run and that he
had to give up running shortly after that race with a hip
problem.
|
JUST
ONE MORE 50KM WALKER REQUIRED (06-02-04)
Bridget
Kaneen updates entries for the Manx Harriers meeting
on 28 February
|
Just had Steve Arnold from Coventry on the telephone
entering the 50k, just one more entry needed and we will
get the event off the ground.
|
JUST
ONE MORE CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER REQUIRED - to make
100
Graham
Davies updates entries for the the Manx Cross Country
Champs
(06-02-04)
|
99 entries
Cal Partington,Ian Gale (spoilt
my forum entry!)
|
CLUB
COLOURS MUST BE WORN IN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
says Graham Davies (06-02-04)
|
The only other vest you can wear is a Lancashire vest or GB vest, the
league no (but it is good to show your colours). Club vest must be worn in all Championships up to
10k then its what's most comfortable.
5 more entries, Percival, Newton + plus more
juniors
|
DAVID
GRIFFITHS ORGANISES NIGHT OUT (05-02-04)
|
I am
arranging a night out on Saturday 28th February for those involved in the
invitation Race Walk Meeting that day. I have made a booking at La Piazza
Restaurant (just across from the Sea Terminal) for 8pm, for an approximate
number of 15 to 20.
Until
recently, the Manx Harriers Annual Dinner used to be on the same date as this
meeting, but since the change of date for the dinner, I don't think anything
has been organised in the evening to enable the local and visiting
athletes to meet in a social atmosphere and relax after the day's races.
La Piazza
have asked me to confirm numbers nearer the time, but they have said that if
it's more than 20 they will need a full week's notice. I would therefore ask
anybody who would like to come to contact me as soon as possible, either by
phone (801341 home, 686535 work) or email at [email protected].
The menu is on La Piazza's website, which is www.lapiazza.co.im.
I hope that most or all of the visiting walkers will come out with us that
night as well - perhaps Allan Callow or Bridget Kaneen could extend an
invitation to them.
|
DAVE
PHILLIPS MEMORIAL ROAD RACES (05-02-04)
|
Although Phil Mackie asked for feedback
on the proposals for Western AC's Dave Phillips
Memorial Road Races by the end of January, the club
has a committee meeting on Wednesday of this week
so if you are interested in the proposal to change
the rule, download the document and send your copy
to Phil now.
Word
pdf
|
HELP
REQUIRED ON SATURDAY MORNING (05-02-04)
|
Andy Fox has asked for help on Saturday
morning marking the cross country course out for
Sunday (see front page for directions).
If you would like a sneak preview
of the course, or if you feel you would like to
put something into the sport if you normally just
pay your entry fee and think that is enough, then
turn up at Abbeylands at 10 am on Saturday morning
for a fun morning or banging stakes into the ground
and fixing tape between them and you will be warmly
welcomed. It should take less than an hour.
|
MORE
NEWS OF THE MANX HARRIERS OPEN WALKS ON 28 FEBRUARY
FROM THE MOST RELIABLE SOURCE - Bridget Kaneen who
has the confirmed entries (04-02-04)
|
Entries are slowly
starting to trickle in for all events and I will give you
full entry lists after the closing date
The 50k walk is not
certain as yet. I have now got 6 entries and we
need two more before the club are willing to put on
the race. It is now make your
mind up time. Andi Drake has said
that he will race at 50k if the race is held.
His original plan was to race abroad in March but he has
since found out that there is only a 20k event
.In the 20k coming over
from England we have in the womens event
Estle Viljoen who is a London based South African
who is fast improving in the event. She has gone sub 50
for 10k and is a very consistent performer. Also coming
to race is last years winner Jo Hesketh from the
Steyning club. She also won last years National
20k in a personal best time and is another who is
improving.
The mens 20k could
prove to be a corker of a race with Robert Heffernan
and Colin Griffin over from Ireland From the English side
of the Irish sea we have the King twins Dominic
and Dan, Steve Hollier, Mark Easton and Andi
Drake ( if no 50k)
Last years 10k winner
Catriona McMahon also from the
Emerald Isle will also be making a return trip.
|
EMAIL
OVERLOAD (04-02-04)
|
If you are waiting for a reply to
an email - please be patient. I'm getting an increasing
number that are not to do with the site but from
people enquiring about individual events. I do try
to pass such emails on to the best people but it
would be so helpful, as more and more people turn
to the internet for information, if race organisers
could publish full details a long way advance on
the internet. Easter is only two months away for
example.
|
20
MILE ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE (04-02-04)
|
Mike Gellion last night kindly supplied
the entry forms, on behalf of the IOMVAC, for the
Castletown Health Store 20 Miles on 7 March.
You can download the entry form
from here in either Word
or Pdf
format. For some reason the pdf version
I have created this morning is bigger than the Word
version Mike supplied (its usually the other way
around).
If you are going to run, why not
print off the entry form and return it to Mike straightaway
instead of leaving it to the last moment.
|
CROSS
COUNTRY NOT OVER YET (04-02-04)
|
Don't forget that the final round
of the Manx Gas Cross Country Challenge will not
be held until 21 March this year. It is merely listed
as "Douglas" in the IOMAA fixture list.
More details will be published as soon as
I have them.
|
INJURY
CORNER - PART 1 (02-02-04)
|
Steve Partington has had another two weeks sidelined
with a dodgy knee. "My legs are spelling it
out loud and clear" he said at the weekend
He felt he was on the mend this week and so,
after a slow bit of jogging around on Saturday he
planned a 30min walk on Sunday but had to call it
off for with a headache, blocked nose and various
aches and pains. Popular as he was for taking the
pictures of the Greeba Fell Race (as if he wasn't
popular enough already) standing on the top of mountains on
Saturday
in such awful weather, can hardly have done his health much good!
|
INJURY
CORNER - PART 2 (02-02-04)
|
Chris Quine reported last week that
his achilles is still sore. It's been troubling
him on and off for some time. Rick Holden has given him
some exercises to do and
said it is ok to start running on again as it referred pain rather than damage
to the achilles (a scan confirmed this). Chris has promised to take things easy
to begin with.
|
INJURY
CORNER - PART 3 (02-02-04)
|
Catriona
Farrant, who has competed in the last two Flora
London Marathons, is to miss out this year as she
was the unlucky name that remained in the hat when
the Isle of
Man Veterans Athletic Club's drew for two places
in the 2004 race from 3 names.
She
has been injured in any event. "I've been a bit hampered recently by a nagging pain in my right adductor for
8-10 weeks" she said last week. "But I have now seen a physio who has helped and has said I can carry
on running with it, which is a huge relief ! I had cut back my training a lot
and even that hadn't helped, so if I do do a marathon this year it will be the
Ramsey one." She has been forced to miss the remainder of the cross country season
though.
|
INJURY
CORNER - PART 4 (02-02-04)
|
Talking of cross country, Paul Clarke,
the defending Isle of Man Cross Country, plans to
return from a long term injury to defend his title.
You certainly can't accuse Paul, who turned 40 earlier
in the winter, of hiding from the opposition, although
he is not expecting to be anywhere near his best
form yet.
|
MORE
WARNINGS ABOUT MyDoom Virus (02-02-04)
|
A couple of people reported having
received emails from me yesterday which weren't
sent by me, almost certainly part of the MyDoom
Virus. The infected computers send emails
using email addresses that they find on the infected
machine. Mere receipt of an infected email
doesn't mean that you have the virus provided you
keep your anti virus software up to date and don't
open suspicious emails.
One of the news agencies reported
the following earlier today; "The Mydoom Internet worm has infected more than one million computers
worldwide since it was first detected on January 26, making it the fastest
spreading worm attack ever, a Finnish computer firm said on Sunday.
"We estimate the total amount of infected computers to be over one million,"
the anti-virus firm F-Secure said. "Of those, only the computers that have been
rebooted (or infected) today are actually attacking."
Here are the things to watch out for (source
Symantec):
From: The "From" address may be spoofed.
Subject: The
subject will be one of the following: test hi hello Mail
Delivery System Mail Transaction Failed Server
Report Status Error
Message: The message will be one of
the following: Mail transaction failed. Partial message is
available. The message contains Unicode characters and has been sent as a
binary attachment. The message cannot be represented in 7-bit ASCII encoding
and has been sent as a binary attachment. test
Attachment:
The attachment file name, not including the extension, will be one of the
following: document readme doc text file data test message body
The
attached file may have either one or two file extensions. If it does have two,
the first extension will be one of the
following: .htm .txt .doc
The second extension, or the only
extension if there is only one, will be one of the
following: .pif .scr .exe .cmd .bat .zip (This is an
actual .zip file that contains a copy of the worm, sharing the same file name as
the .zip. For example, readme.zip can contain readme.exe.)
If the
worm has an extension of .exe or .scr, the file will be displayed with the
following icon:
For all the
other file extensions, it will use the icon for that file type.
|
ORGANISERS
BULLISH FOR MANX HARRIERS WALKS (01-02-04)
|
Race walking hit the back page of
the Manx Independent last week a full four weeks
before the event it was featuring takes place.
Manx Harriers seem particularly
encouraged that the standard on the meeting will
be back to its very best on 28 February.
The
story can be also be accessed at Isle of Man Online
-click here.
|
AND
MORE ENTRIES EXPECTED .... says Neil Bates
|
....I heard last week that Andi Drake, Dominic and Daniel King have all booked
flights to come over for our race..... I am assuming they are all doing 20km,
but Andi may be the 50, there havnt been any entries from them yet! 28
FEBRUARY - MANX HARRIERS WALKS GRAND PRIX & OPEN 10KM RUN
ENTRY
FORM WORD
|
GREEBA
FELL RACE - GREAT SPORT (01-02-04)
|
I've just published the link on
the front page to the latest www.fotopic.net
site, this time published by Steve Partington. Such
facilities (previously used by myself and Anthony
Brand) are a great advantage to me in publishing
this site as I can merely feature a limited number
of pictures directly on the site with a link to
the full catalogue, or as many as the photographer
chooses to publish. For those who like to
have a description of every single runner - tough!
I do, however, encourage race organisers to send
results with race numbers so that athletes are easier
to identify in the pictures.
What I was going to say was that
I thought Steve's collection really captured the
spirit of the event and as Paul has written on the
forum, Richie's report was also most telling.
I can't help feeling that the great
entry was down to several of the things I bang on
about:
- There
was great publicity for the event over several
weeks.
- There
have not been many other events on the Island
for a few weeks, ie no cross country for
three weeks or Ramsey Firemans.
- The
organisers have a reputation for doing things
well and word spreads.
Well done to all concerned.
|
FELL
RUNNING STANDARDS VERY HIGH (01-02-04)
|
Although I am extremely positive
about many of the developments in Manx Athletics
at the moment, I often caution that we still have
a long way to go in many events to get back to the
levels we have enjoyed in the past. Compare
some of the road runs for example. How many
runners used to break the hour for 10 miles or 35
minutes for 10km - well at one time three times
as many as in recent years. Similarly in race
walking, there has been a big decline in the number
of people breaking the hour for 10km.
But one event that I would say has
a higher standard than ever before is fell running.
There is no doubt that the sport owes a lot
to the likes of Tony Varley, Tony Varley and Brenda
Walker for setting the standards that are there
to be beaten, but Saturday's great three way race
for victory showed a really high standard and the
competition for top six places is extremely tough
these days.
For me three of the most important
aspects of the sport are: a) good organisation,
b) high levels of competition and making it open
to people of all ages and abilities, c) encouraging
competition of the highest standards.
Fell running seems to have all of
these at the moment. Watch this space for
your chance to join the fell running scene.
|