|
Phoenix Park, 26th June 2005 report thanks to Steve Taylor Athletes competing in the Dublin Grand Prix of Race
Walking last weekend returned with four medals, four personal bests including
two new Manx records. Steve Partington and Peter Kaneen lined up for the 50km
event. The pair are undoubtedly Great Britain’s top two 50km men at the moment
but Peter was searching for a time to put him up for selection for next years
Commonwealth Games. Setting off on yet another solo effort Peter passed through
10km a little under 53 minutes, right on schedule, but over the next 10km he was
clearly looking uncomfortable and reaching 20km in 1 hour 47 minutes now almost
a minute outside the required pace he decided to call it at day and is now
looking for a final attempt at the CWG consideration time later in the
year. Steve Partington on the other
hand was well into his stride. Walking 10km splits of 51, 51 and 51, up to 30km
where the 50km race only really begins. Picking his way through the field Steve
found himself in third place at 40km although the efforts were clearly beginning
to take their toll. Encouraged by everyone in attendance he started a long
sprint for home and was rewarded with a new personal best of 4 hours 17 minutes
40 seconds. This is a new Manx record beating Murray Lambden’s old mark set
almost 23 years ago by over 3 minutes. This performance firmly establishes Steve
as Britain’s number one 50km race walker and augers well for a top five finish
at the Commonwealth Games in March next year.
Marie Latham competing over 20km was another to fail to finish. Left at the start by a strong international field Marie walked a very sensible race but such are the improvements she has made over the last two years that having reached 10km in 55.24 she felt that today was not going to be her day and stepped off the course. Three Manx juniors were also competing on the day.
National champion Lauren Whelan continued her dominance at under 13 level
recording a new Manx record along the way with 4 minutes 55 seconds for 1km. Fay
Latham stepped up an age group but was not disgraced with a new personal best of
11.19 for 2km in finishing 6th. Big sister Emma also set a pb of 15.28 for bronze in the 3km just losing
out in a three way sprint for the line.
Dougie Corkill competed in the veteran 3km and kept up his medal-winning streak with a bronze. Photo’s thanks to Bridget Kaneen Fay Latham (left) recorded a personal best time of 11m 19s over 2K in the England Team for the Nihill Shield match v Ireland. Her sister Emma (centre) won Bronze medal for the England Team also with a personal best over 3K in 15m 28s Lauren Whelan turns to the role of supporter for Marie Latham after her impressive display in the 1K walk. Also representing England in the Nihill Shield match Lauren bettered her own Manx record from the same event last year by 4 seconds finishing in 4m 55s Peter Kaneen’s 50K race ended in disappointment when he retired at 20K with back trouble Unfortunately Marie struggled from the very early stages of her 20K race and she was forced to retire at the 10K stage Steve Partington meanwhile was on his way to another Manx record Bridget captures the moment when Murray’s 1982 Manx 50K record falls. A brilliant performance by Steve Partington. Emma Latham receives her bronze medal Les Brown’s feeble attempt to win the Shoprite carrier bag photo competition. Meanwhile, Dougie Corkill was probably off somewhere collecting autographs from the airport staff. More of Bridget and Peter’s photo’s from Dublin here
|
