CAL
PARTINGTON 4th
Updated
report by Richie
Stevenson on the P & O Knockdhu Classic after
talking to Mark Preston
The team managed to get their flights to Belfast on Friday although they were
delayed for about an hour due to the mist. Luckiest was Mike Quine who couldn`t
fly out till the evening because of work commitments. The airport at Ronaldsway
was closed for much of the evening but Mike managed to get away at around 9.30pm
which was fortunate because I know a lot of people had their flights cancelled
to other destinations.
The 4.7 miles course has some very steep climbs.
One in particular sees all the runners having to pull themselves up grasping on
to lumps of grass.
Cal was definitely the top performer on the day
finishing a brilliant 4th lady in 48th position overall. This was Cal’s first
fell race off the island and she was understandably nervous at the start but as
soon as she got going the nerves went and she put in a top quality performance.
I think that Cal became our first ever lady International fell runner on
Saturday. I know Steph Maddrell has competed in many fell and hill races all
over the British Isles but all would be as a club runner and Brenda Walker has
never fell raced in anger off-island mores the pity. If I`m wrong in this then
maybe someone will correct me.
Onion Gale continued the top form he is enjoying
finishing 19th and beating a number of fellow internationals in the process.
Mark Preston was pleased with 26th 30 seconds faster than last year with Mike
Quine also running well in his first international just behind in 28th. Phil
Mackie was a little down on the others in 51st place but to be honest he did
well to make the start even as he had a heavy fall on holiday recently which
has left him with a very sore and bruised leg. Phil would have given up his
place to another runner but for our being unable to swap his plane ticket
because of the way the airlines operate these days.
Rob Webb, who used to live
in the Larne area, was over visiting family and decided to run for Manx Harriers
and what a good race he had finishing 49th place which also gave him first vet
50.
The race was won by Welsh International Tim Davies
who was top man at last years Snowdon race. Former Manx Mountain Marathon winner
Colin Donnelly was running for Scotland and he placed fourth.
All of our runners were delighted to be in this top
quality race and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The hospitality shown by the
Irish organisers was second to none and the Manx team would like to thank race
organiser Billy Magee and all his helpers for a wonderful weekend.
the Isle of Man team finished 5th out of the 6 teams beating the Welsh B Team.
Winners were Scotland from Wales A and Northern Ireland
FULL
RESULTS
Thanks
to Paul Jackson & Tony Okell for the link.
PICTURES
BY TOMMY MAHOOD

Ian Gale

Mike Quine

Cal Partington

Mark Preston

Phil Mackie

Ian Gale

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