1985 – Manx Airlines 50km Run
Peter McElroy reported:
At King George V Park on Saturday morning, Jeff Norman (Altrincham), produced what could only be described as a “world class” performance, to set a new World Veterans Record in the Manx Airlines / Boundary Harriers Invitation 50km run.
In gaining the new “world best” time Jeff, who represented Great Britain at the Marathon in the 1976 Olympic Games, took more than five minutes off the old record, to come home the winner in 2 hours 53 minutes 21 seconds.
A field of 19 runners faced the starter and from the gun the invited guests, Jeff, Mike Critchley (Bolton), the Welsh International and former Commonwealth Games representative, and Don Ritchie (Forres AC), the multi World Record holder from 40 miles to 200 kms, took up the challenge.
It was at 20kms that Mike & Jeff put in a “kick”, opening a seven second lead on Don. Through 20 miles and onto the marathon distance Jeff was out on his own, recording 2 hours 24 minutes 41 seconds, the fastest ever for the distance on the Island. Mike clocked 2 hours 25 minutes 46 seconds with Don two hours 27 minutes 37 seconds.
First local was Colin Halsall (Manx AC) who after an impressive early part of the race, recorded 2 hours 49 minutes 48 seconds then retired with Derek Harrison passing in 2 hours 57 minutes 15 seconds.
At the finish Jeff came home in 2 hours 53 minutes 21 seconds, second place going to Mike who just held off a late challenge by Don.
First local was the exceptional Derek Harrison who produced another excellent performance in a time of three hours 38 minutes 57 seconds. The only other local to finish was John Grimson, who ran a very steady race for 10th overall.
Yes, the Bowl on Saturday was certainly the place to have been and again special thanks to the generous help given by Manx Airlines, all the lap scorers, timekeepers, and everyone else too numerous to mention.
|
Position |
Christian Name |
Surname |
Time |
Club / Country |
|
1 |
Jeff |
Norman |
02:53:21 |
Altrincham |
|
2 |
Mike |
Critchley |
02:56:21 |
Bolton |
|
3 |
Don |
Ritchie |
02:56:39 |
Forres AC |
|
4 |
John |
Morgan |
03:12:19 |
Cambridge Harriers |
|
5 |
Mike |
McCullough |
03:23:01 |
Forres AC |
|
7 |
Keith |
Robson |
03:38:57 |
Wigan AC |
|
8 |
Colton |
Reid |
03:45:09 |
Cheshire |
|
9 |
Richard |
Dalby |
03:50:26 |
Bolton |
|
10 |
John |
Grimson |
04:00:26 |
Manx AC |
|
11 |
Klaus |
Braun |
04:12:35 |
C & EP AC? |