1986 – Manx Airlines 50km Run
Phil Cain reported:
Jeff Norman (Althincham), the current 50kms World Veterans Record holder and former Olympic runner, produced another World class perforkmance at the Bowl in Saturday morning, to win the Manx Airlines / Boundary Harriers 50km run, for the second successive year.
The display of running by the 41 year old Manchester pharmacist could only be described as “brilliant” as he came home just over 4 minutes ahead of second placed Peter Sugden (reading AC), and just 5 seconds outside his World best time.
A field of 21 runners including six from the mainland, lined up to tackle the 31 mile race (62 laps) in dry but windy conditions, and from the gun the “big 3” were well to the fore, along with Island champion Steve Kelly, hoping for a fast marathon time.
There was drama in the second mile. Don Ritchie (Forres AC), the multi World record holder, who is just returning from injury, detached from the leaders and didn’t look himself.
As the race continued so the pattern of the race became clearer and it was at about 18 miles that Jeff moved clear of Steve, passing the marathon distance in 2 hours 25 minutes 27 seconds. Steve followed in 2 hours 32 minutes 31 seconds where he called it a day as did Colin Halsall (2 hours 37 minutes 9 seconds).
At the finish, Jeff came home in 2 hours 53 minutes 26 seconds with Peter second and Don, after an early “bad patch”, came back strongly to take third place. Fourth place went to Graham Youngson (Middleborough AC) looking very good throughout the race.
First local home was Tony Varley, the current fell runner of the year, running a superb race and passing the marathon distance in 2 hours 43 minutes 35 seconds.
The only other locals to finish were ace coalman Reg Hicklin and Kirk Michael resident John Grimson.
RESULTS
|
Position |
Christian Name |
Surname |
Time |
Club / Country |
|
1 |
Jeff |
Norman |
02:53:26 |
Altrincham |
|
2 |
Peter |
Sugden |
02:57:41 |
Reading AC |
|
3 |
Don |
Ritchie |
03:06:48 |
Forres AC |
|
4 |
Graham |
Youngson |
03:13:31 |
Middlesbrough |
|
5 |
Tony |
Varley |
03:18:46 |
Boundary Harriers |
|
6 |
Mike |
Francis |
03:19:08 |
Forres AC |
|
7 |
Reg |
Hicklin |
04:06:43 |
Unattached |
|
8 |
John |
Taylor |
04:08:33 |
Heaton Harriers |
|
9 |
John |
Grimson |
04:09:54 |
Manx AC |