MBE FOR STUART LAMBIE

Dressed for the Queen? Veteran sprinter Stuart Lambie MBE and wife Kathy are ready to meet royalty! It must have been a dry run as I took this moments before Prince Charles arrived at St Johns for the Tynwald Day ceremony in 1999 (will check year)

MARTIN MOVES UP THE RANKINGS

In the UK Merit Rankings for 2003, recently published in Athletics Weekly, Manx and NatWest Island Games high jump record holder Martin Aram has moved up into eighth place, an improvement of one place from 2002. This is his third year appearing in the top flight of athletics, having made his debut at number eleven for performances in the 2001 season at the age of 17.

The Merit Rankings are designed by compiler, Peter Mathews, as an assessment of form and take into account consistency throughout the season and performances in major meetings as well as the best performance achieved in the year.

The highlights of the year for me were the Island Games in Guernsey in the summer and competing at the Shanghai Sister City Games in China in November, said Martin. Whilst nothing in 2003 can compare with reaching the Commonwealth Games final in 2002, the atmosphere at the Island Games is the next best thing and I was able to peak for Guernsey and retain my title with new Manx and Games records.

On the national domestic scene, the most notable achievements were Silver medals at the British Inter-Counties Championships and the UK Athletics Domestic Series Grand Prix Final. The AON Under 21 Sportsman of the year also achieved good wins at the North of England Indoors, Scottish Indoors and Bedford International Games.

Martin would like to acknowledge financial support from Manx Sports Aid Foundation, British Airways and Britannia International.

Martin in action at the Shanghai Sister City Games in November.

WATER, WATER, WATER

Further pictures of the Mann & Partners Millennium Way Relay courtesy of Isle of Man Newspapers

Gianni Epifani

Tony Varley

Mike Gellion

Extended coverage of the Mann & Partners Millennium Way Relay in this week’s Manx Independent

www.iomonline.co.im

Boxing Day coverage of The Mann & Partners Millennium Way Relay at www.manxathletics.com

EXTRA PICTURES

ST JOHNS FELL RACE ON NEW YEARS DAY

Richie Stevenson previews

Its just a couple of weeks till the 2004 Managrakem Fell League bursts into life again out at St Johns with the annual trip up to the top of Slieau Whallian and back. The race will again be sponsored by Supercards of Strand Street and will start and finish at St Johns Football Club where there will be changing and shower facilities on hand. There has been a lot of talk recently about the development of various sports including of course the IOMAA Development Plan. Just wait till everyone sees how St Johns AFC have developed their Mullen-Y-Cloie site since we were last there on New Years Day 2003. Two superb all-weather pitches,new changing rooms and floodlights, a remarable achievment by this very friendly and helpful club and as usual they have opened there changing facilities for our use again this year.

As last year we will only be giving out a few prizes as we will be donating all the entry fees to a local charity which will be the Crossroads Young Carers Project. This is an initiative that helps young carers under the age of 21 who care for or help care for chronically sick or disabled members of their family. The initiative helps to support the young carers and to give them much needed time out from a situation that can have a devastating impact on the life of a young person. We hope as many runners as possible will support the race even if fell racing is not their bag. At the very worst they will get a bit of exercise and fresh air and in a small way help others. The race starts at 2.00pm with signing-on from 1.15pm. There will be refreshments in the clubhouse after the race. Please use the car park opposite the Farmers Arms.

Details from Richie Stevenson 629267 [email protected]