The Race Walking Association 50Km Championships incorporating the UK & North of England championships at Ropner Park, Stockton on Tees on Sunday 27th April hosted by Redcar RWC.
Starting off in the rain…
the biggest entry for over 30 years in the 50Km champs as 36 walkers set off for 42¾ laps of Ropner Park.
The quiet, unassuming Scott Davis of Ilford AC (left) recorded his 4th consecutive win in the 50Km championships with a big personal best time of 4:29:25. A superb performance by the irrepressible Michael George (14) to take silver medal in his first championship racewalk on UK soil in a PB time of 5:06:45. He is pictured lapping race organiser David Jones (2) of host club Redcar RWC. On the right is Steve Arnold of Nuneaton Harriers who finished 4th
Marie Jackson with John Hall of Belgrave Harriers (left) & Michael George with Dave Jones of Redcar RWC (right)
Veteran Moscow 1980 Olympian Ian Richards of Steyning AC (8) battled for silver medal with the Manx Harrier, unlapping himself and coming home just over a minute behind Michael (14) to take bronze in 5:07:49
Defending ladies champion Maureen Noel of Belgrave Harriers (44) lead the race for 37Km, relinquishing a 2½ minute advantage over Marie Jackson (15) at 20Km to finish in second place almost 7 minutes adrift of the Manx Harrier in 5:44:08.
Michael George recovers by the finish line quietly reflecting on his terrific performance. John Hall, the Great Britain Veteran Racewalkers team manager of Belgrave Harriers walked & talked much of the race with Marie Jackson, only to outpace her in the closing stages to record 5:37:19. Marie recorded 5:37:32 to take the ladies title.
Double delight for the Manx Harriers duo (left) and Scott Davis (right) receives the 50Km championship trophy for the 4th year in succession. The race also incorporated the Northern & Midland 50Km Championships but the Manx Harriers athletes were denied the respective Men’s & Ladies Northern Championships titles as they were excluded from the Northern Results. Manx Harriers have regularly represented the North in inter area competitions.
photos by PJ
