As Parish walk fever grips the Island with over thirteen hundred people entering the 85 mile classic by the deadline, the start list for the Island 20k championships by comparison was rather modest. Despite this there was some remarkably close racing in the latter half of the field. Weather conditions were similar to those at the last local 20k held in March, with the wind making it hard work on rather exposed long straight towards the Manx Steam Railway line.

Despite this, Steve Partington walked a well paced race and looked strong throughout. At the finish he had pulled a lap clear of second man home Peter Kaneen who in turn was two laps clear of the rest. Third place went to Sean Hands who finished his first race of this distance in a very even paced effort.

Les Brown started steadily but gradually pulled away from the pack to finish over a minute ahead of Andy Gosnell. The next four finished in close succession, newcomer Richard Sille walking a negative split second half to come out top ahead of John Stubbs, Adrian Cowin and Michael George.

Bridget Kaneen picked up the ladies title and was pleased to finish within 10 seconds of her best ever for the distance, set in much kinder conditions. Second lady Elizabeth Corran also got her first 20k for a number of years under her belt. Though slowing slightly in the last 5k she stuck to her task well and still managed her customary sprint finish.

Four juniors also took the opportunity of recording times on the 1 kilometre loop. Robert Moore walked a sound 5k, finishing a respectable 26.48 in trying conditions. Sinead Kaneen, Terence George and James Kershaw all opted for 2k and all battled well during the race and all three helped out with the feed station when they had finished. Thanks as ever to all those who helped with the event, particularly Peter Clague, Doug Corkill, Marie Latham, Gordon Corran, Dave Griffiths & Gail Musson. Thanks also to Jim Cottier for the use of the facilites at Ronaldsway.

 

No Name Club 5k 10k 15k 20k finish time 98 Steve Partington Manx Harriers 22.50 45.36 68.25 1.31.20 90 Peter Kaneen Manx Harriers 23.48 47.48 72.18 1.37.18 69 Sean Hands Manx Harriers 27.22 54.49 1.22.12 1.49.36 65 Bridget Kaneen Manx Harriers 27.46 55.55 1.24.39 1.53.25 99 Les Brown Manx Harriers 30.22 59.53 1.28.56 1.58.28 96 Andy Gosnell IOM Vets 30.24 60.30 1.30.27 2.00.09 97 Richard Sille Unattached 31.46 62.40 1.33.50 2.04.19 95 John Stubbs IOM Vets 31.00 62.40 1.33.55 2.04.26 59 Adrian Cowin IOM Vets 31.13 63.20 1.33.57 2.04.30 88 Michael George Manx Harriers 30.07 60.00 1.31.18 2.04.38 116 Elizabeth Corran Manx Harriers 30.21 61.30 1.33.20 2.06.15 5k 117 Robert Moore Manx Harriers 26.48 2k 91 Sinead Kaneen Manx Harriers 13.45 92 Terence George Manx Harriers 18.58 93 James Kershaw Unattached 19.15