1984 – Manx Airlines 20km Walk
Chris Maddocks before he’d been
to the Olympics; Steve Partington before he held the Manx record; Martin Rush
still a teenager; Phil Vesty with the race of his life!
Chris Maddocks, the British 50km record holder, became the sixth fastest British walker ever over the shorter of the two Olympic distances (20km) when he walked in the Manx Airlines / Boundary Harriers invitation meeting at King George V Park in Douglas last Saturday. Amazingly, however, he finished only third when outshone by two brilliant performances by Phil Vesty and Martin Rush in one of the greatest 20km races seen in Britain.
Phil Vesty, the 21 year old Reading University student who represents Leicester Walking Club, walked a brilliant race to beat his international rivals and better the 1 hour 25 minute Olympic qualifying time by two seconds in front of Olympic walking judge Alan Hall of Sheffield, who had been brought to the Island as chief judge. Only Steve Barry (at Douglas in 1983) and Paul Nihill (at Douglas in 1974) had ever walked faster in Great Britain until news filtered through that Ian McCombie (Cambridge Harriers) had recorded 84.14 in Kent (also last Saturday). Nevertheless Vesty’s style and pace judgement was superb with mile splits of 6.50; 6.51; 6.57; 6.53; 6.47; 6.44; 6.44: 6.49: 6.51: 6.50; 6.55: and 6.54.
It was second placed Martin Rush who caused the biggest sensation however. The 19 year old from Cockermouth (also a student) is the National junior and English Schools champion but it was only his second race at 20km. He led from the start until one third distance and looked like causing ine of the biggest sensations in race walking for some time and although he couldn’t respond ro Phil Vesty’s magnificent fifth mile, he did not get overtaken by Chris Maddocks as expected by most of the spectators. Instead he revived several times to move into fifth on the all time list with an 86 mins 32 secs clocking. Suddenly the youngster who has his sights set on the 1988 Olympics has a chance of challenging for a team place four years earlier than expected.
Maddocks, who walks for the Dawlish and South Devon Club, was disappointed to finish third but his walk too was remarkable. He became the sixth fastest Britain, the fastest ever 50km specialist and his 87.15 clocking would have won the invitation meeting in all except two of te previous invitation meetings.
Mick Greasley (Sheffield) walked the second half faster than the first to beat Allan Callow for fourth place, while Callow had his best walk and fastest time (96.52) for several years. Steve Partington who finished sixth could have “stolen” the headlines in any ordinary Manx race. He stormed through the field to pass John Cannell (who “blew” after a fast first half to finish 8th) and Mike Karran who was also below his best. 18 year old Partington finished only 21 seconds outside Karran’s Manx junior record (97.26).
Lillian Millan, the international representing Cumberland AC was a late entry in the women’s 10km and as expected was a clear winner in a welcome return to the Island. Ann Cain (55.05) had a fine race for second place to improve her best time for the second successive race beating Hazel Cross, the St Helens walker now representing Boundary Harriers.
Joanne Clark’s winning time in the junior 5km was almost overlooked in the excitement but her 27.50 personal best was a Manx age best time. Martin Young was placed second from the much improved Brian Lewney, although they could not be separated on time (29.10).
Thanks to Manx Airlines sponsorship and the co-operation of Douglas Corporation Parks Department and Cronkbourne Cricket Club, Boundary Harriers made Saturday 25th February 1984 one of the best ever for race walking in the Isle of Man.
20km Men
|
Position |
Christian Name |
Surname |
Time |
Club / Country |
|
1 |
Phil |
Vesty |
01:24:58 |
Leicester Walking Club |
|
2 |
Martin |
Rush |
01:26:32 |
Cockermouth |
|
3 |
Chris |
Maddocks |
01:27:15 |
Dawlish & South Devon |
|
4 |
Mick |
Greasley |
01:34:56 |
Sheffield Walking Club |
|
5 |
Allan |
Callow |
01:36:52 |
Boundary Harriers |
|
6 |
Steve |
Partington |
01:37:26 |
Boundary Harriers |
|
7 |
Mike |
Karran |
01:41:01 |
Boundary Harriers |
|
8 |
John |
Cannell |
01:43:28 |
Boundary Harriers |
|
9 |
Ray |
Flynn |
01:44:30 |
Republic of Ireland |
|
10 |
Andy |
Garrett |
01:48:23 |
Boundary Harriers |
10km Women
|
Position |
Christian Name |
Surname |
Time |
Club / Country |
|
1 |
Lillian |
Millen |
00:52:30 |
Cumberland AC |
|
2 |
Ann |
Cain |
00:55:05 |
Boundary Harriers |
|
3 |
Hazel |
Cross |
00:59:30 |
Boundary Harriers |