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BRIDGET
KANEEN REPORTS
Conditions were sunny
and bright with a slight but cool breeze for these
championships, held for the first time ever on the Ronaldsway
course.
The course proved a
winner as there were a host of personal best times set despite
the slight hill at around the halfway point in the 1 kilometre
loop.
5 juniors also started
with the senior competitors to keep their racing techniques
honed during a fairly quiet spell on the Manx calendar.
First to finish at 1k
was Sinead Kaneen, walking with older sister Bronwen who went over her
usual race distance to the 3k mark. Callum Taylor and Emma
Latham stopping next at 2k. Robert Moore who is getting back in
to training after having health problems got through his 5k in a
respectable sub 28 minute time.
Neil Bates started the
event as odds on favourite to be a new name on the shield. This proved to be the
case as Neil led the rest of the field from gun to tape, looking in
control and relaxed in his best ever 20k race to date, he took his first Manx 20
kilometre title and added his name to the roll of honour.
He had looked sure of
beating 98 minutes at the bell, but unfortunately suffered a bout of sickness on
the final lap and ensured this will be a target for next time. Even so he sliced a
minute from his personal best set in February at the Steam Packet meet.
Allan Callow finished
second and is starting to show a return to form after difficulty shaking off a winter
virus.
Another superb
performance by Marie Latham saw her finish third overall and take the womens title for the
first time, without challenge.
Chopping nearly
another full minute from her personal best, she had the company of Yorkshire visitor and
regular racer on the Manx roads, Dave Turner as well as Simon
Cox for the majority
of the race.
Dave finished just a
second behind Marie at the finish but Simons effort faded in the latter stages leaving
Les Brown to storm through and record a well judged personal
best and one of the
performances of the day.
Andy Gosnell raced in
his first ever 20k as did Adrian Cowin and both should be proud of their efforts.
Brian Goldsmith showed a return to form also with a well paced race as did Alan Kinvig who
recorded an even paced effort.
Second women finisher
Jan Hodgson, was yet another pleased to record a personal best.
Lesley Christian
entered to get a bit of time on her feet as Parish walk training and went home with third
place and a benchmark at the distance, she walked the entire race in the company of
Brian Brough who had only intended to do 10 kilometres but carried on bring home
the field.
Manx Harriers
would like to thank Jim Cottier for his generosity in letting us use the facilities at
Ronaldsway ( particularly Adrian Cowin who was back on shift across the road at the
met office just a few minutes after he had finished.)
Also thanks to all the
officials who turned out to help us with judging, timekeeping, recording, feeding
station manning, tea making and course marking etc.
Your help is as always
very much appreciated.
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