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.