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Manx Harriers at the UK Cross Challenge

Manx Harriers athletes were in action at the second round of the UK Cross Challenge in Liverpool on 24th November. Katie Astin was 28th out of 74 in the Under 11 race (boys and girls combined), Sarah Astin was 18th out of 94 in the Under 15 Girls, and Gemma Astin was 47th out of 100 in the combined Under 17 and Under 20 women’s race. Alice Ashe was 46th out of 89 in the Under 13 Girls race. It should be noted that all 3 Astin sisters and Alice Ashe are in their first year in their respective age groups. Keith Gerrard of Newham & Essex Beagles (and second claim Manx Harriers) finished a brilliant 2nd in the Senior European Trials event and was selected for the Euro Cross Champs U23 race for Great Britain in December in Spain

photos by Ian Astin

For results and reports visit the manxathletics.com forum thread

Cross Challenge at UK Athletics website

full results

Manx Harriers join County & Academy training squads

Michael Haslett (MH), David Munro (MH) and Peter Richardson (N), are travelling to Manchester next weekend (10th & 11th November) to train on the North West Academy Squad whilst Gemma Astin (MH) will also be travelling to Liverpool for training with the County Squad the same weekend. This is brought forward so it doesn’t clash with the UK Challenge Cross Country. Danielle Ross (MH) and Mark Lean (MH) will be training at Wavertree the following weekend as part of the County Squad. (thanks to Di Shimell)

UKA British Fell & Hills Relays 2007

A party of 12 athletes from the Isle of Man travel to the Forest of Bowland n Saturday 13th October for the British Fell & Hills Relays, hosted this year by Bowland Fell Runners. Manx Harriers and Manx Fell Runners will be amongst the 64 teams of 6 who line up on Saturday for the 4 leg relay, The first and third legs are run in pairs with legs two and four run individually. Team Details & MFR website feature here & Event details here & Results here & YouTube Video here

High 5 for Michael in Tilburg

Congratulations to Manx Harriers racewalker Michael George who finished 5th in his first 50Km in 5.15.05 at the Dutch & Danish 50km Walk Championships in Tilburg, in the Netherlands on Sunday morning. Michael went through 35Km in about 3.27 but did his usual party piece at 40Km. Michael was the first non-championship finisher ahead of Ed Shillabeer of Plymouth who smashed the M65 world record in a time of 5.26. Martijn Biesmans finished in 8th in 5.44. Thanks to Michael for the info. Results here

Manx Record for Charlotte

Congratulations to Charlotte Christian (pictured here by Ian Astin in Rhodes) who broke the Manx U20’s Hammer record with a throw of 34.38 at a meeting held in Liverpool on the 15th September. Read the Liverpool Echo report here

Manx Harriers juniors at the Blackpool Illuminations meeting

(report by Peter Kaneen)

A team of 10 Manx Harriers junior athletes traveled to Blackpool for the annual Illuminations meeting last weekend 22nd & 23rd September. For many of the juniors it was their first taste of off -Island competition

In the boys long jump all the boys were hitting their mark and jumping progressively further with each round. Most successful was Joel Padi who gained the silver medal behind the talented Robert Stroud who had travelled from Tamworth to compete.

Joel Padi elected to miss the 800m to concentrate on the 80m sprint, being his more favoured event. It proved a good decision as he added another silver medal to his tally. Simon Fletcher, Owen Dudley and Brandon Gowland were not disgraced in their heats either, all finishing in the middle order.

In the 800m, Joseph Moreling misjudged his early pace, coming through the first 400m, ten seconds inside his personal best pace. Unfortunately he picked up an ankle strain with just 200m to go and was unable to finish. Brandon Gowland was best of the Manx team finishing in 9th overall, in a time of just over 3 minutes.

The girls were up against it with a high entry of 45 girls in their age group. In the 800m, Rebecca Nathan ran a very mature race and was rewarded by recording an excellent time and 3rd in her heat. She was fifth overall. Susie Cox just pipped her team mate Ashley Bird by a tenth of a second to take 10th overall, with Catherine Reid just one place further behind in 11th, all three girls recording fine sub 3 minute times.

Despite being at the younger end of the age group, Katie Astin ran a very determined race, picking of her rivals in the closing stages to finish second in her heat and 16th overall and removing six seconds from her personal best in the process. In the Long Jump Ashley Bird and Susie Cox were battling for the top Manx honours, Ashley finished 9th overall just 7cms ahead of Suzie who finished 11th, both girls jumping particularly well. Catherine Reid also jumped well, just shy of the 3 metre mark for 18th position.

In the 80m sprint heats Ashley showed good speed in her heat, battling for first but just being pipped on the line, she was 7th in the overall standings. Suzie was just a tenth slower but so close was the competition that this pushed her in to 12th overall. All the girls performed exceptionally well in what was a particularly well supported and high standard of competition.

Thanks to all the coaches and parents that also travelled to support the children and to Manx Harriers for organising and helping to fund the trip.

RESULTS

80m under 11 girls

1. Lauren Glencross – Cumbria and Aspatria 11.9

7= Ashley Bird – Manx Harriers 12.7

12. Sosanna Cox – Manx Harriers 12.8

21. Rebecca Nathan – Manx Harriers 13.4

25. Catherine Reid – Manx Harriers 13.5

44. Katie Astin – Manx Harriers 15.1

Long Jump

1. Aylish Mackenzie – Warrington 4.01

9. Ashley Bird 3.32

11. Sosanna Cox 3.25

18. Catherine Reid 2.99

30. Katie Astin 2.82

39. Rebecca Nathan 2.60

800m

1. Lauren Glencross Cumbria and Aspatria 2.43.6

5. Rebecca Nathan 2.51.4

10. Sosanna Cox 2.57.4

11. Ashley Bird 2.57.5

12. Catherine Reid 2.58.9

16. Katie Astin 3.03.3

Boys Under 11

L.Jump

1. Robert Stroud Tamworth 4.25

2. Joel Padi Manx Harriers 3.85

5. Joseph Moreling Manx Harriers 3.48

6. Simon Fletcher Manx Harriers 3.29

11. Owen Dudley Manx Harriers 3.21

14. Brandon Gowling Manx Harriers 3.14

80m

1. Robert Stroud Tamworth 11.6

2. Joel Padi 11.9

6. Simon Fletcher 12.7

15. Owen Dudley 13.3

16. Brandon Gowling 13.8

800m

1. Bradley Yates Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde 2.32.5

9. Brandon Gowling 3.01.2

12. Simon Fletcher 3.05.1

13. Owen Dudley 3.07.1

Peter Kaneen was in action at Crystal Palace on Saturday 25th August competing in the 3000m Walk in the final of the UK Challenge series Peter finished 5th in a time of 13m 30s results here. Meanwhile, David Munro recorded back-to-back PB’s and unconfirmed Manx age group records in the 400m Hurdles at the UK Schools Games in Coventry. On Saturday, David qualified for the final with a time of 56.70s . In Sunday’s final he finished an excellent 4th in a time of 56.12 result here

Andy Fox competed in the Midhurst 10km on Sunday 12th August which incorporated the Sussex Road 10km championships. He came 10th overall (400+ men and 200+ women) and 1st in the 45 to 49 age group. Andy reports that it was a hilly course, recording a time of 35.32. The first over 40 was ahead of Andy and the first 50 to 54 – Nigel Gates a world vets champ and well known runner. full results & photos (by Clive Bennett)

Manx Harriers results from the U15 & U17 Track & Field Championships held at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield on 11th & 12th August click here

Peter Kaneen was in brilliant form in the Norwich Union World Trials & UK Championships on Sunday 29th July in Manchester winning bronze medal in the 5K walk with a season’s best performance of 22.55.0. result here. Thomas Riley was unfortunately disqualified from Heat 3 of the Men’s 100m

Birmingham 13th & 14th July; Danielle Ross was 3rd in Heat 3 of the 100 metres in a time of 12.91 and went on to finish 7th in the semi-final, in a superb time of 12.79. Although not qualifying for the final this was a brilliant effort, especially as she was in by far the stronger of the semi-finals. Danielle was also the first leg runner for Merseyside Junior Girls’ 4x100m relay team who won the GOLD MEDAL. Gemma Astin notched up another great performance, finishing 10th in the 3000 metres in 10.22 which I think equals her pb set earlier in the season. (Dave Griffiths from the Manx Athletics website forum)

Manx Harriers racewalkers were at the Dublin Grand Prix of Racewalking on Sunday 17th June at Phoenix Park. Peter Kaneen recorded 1.40.09 in the Men’s 20K , whilst Marie Jackson was pleased with 1.57.27 in the Women’s 20K as part of her build up to the World Veteran’s Championships in Italy in September. Junior racewalkers Lauren Whelan, Sinead Kaneen & Alexandra Ross represented England in the Nihill Shield Match v Ireland with Alexandra winning the U12 Girls 1K in 5.32. Sinead finished 2nd in the U14 Girls 2K in 11.05 & Lauren 5th in the U16 Girls 3K in 16.51. Dougie Corkill was judging & walked in the in the Veteran’s 3K race recording 18.25. Bridget Kaneen won the ladies Veteran 3K race in 17.16. Steve Taylor was also judging and Liz Corran travelled with the party as one of the Race Walking Association Girls Team Managers.

Manx Harriers athletes Tom Riley, Darren Gray, John Halligan, Sarah Dowling, Rachael Kelly, Michael Haslett, Ben Brand, Harriet Pryke & Charlotte Christian competed in the Northern Athletics Senior and Under 20s Track & Field Championships on 16th & 17th June at Wavertree Athletics Stadium Liverpool

Day 1; Harriet Pryke was 4th in Heat 1 of the U20 400m in 61.12; Tom Riley finished 1st in Heat 1 of Senior Men’s 100m in 10.82; Sarah Dowling was 4th in Heat 1 of the Senior Women’s 400m in 61.25; Ben Brand was 4th in the U20 Men’s 400m heat 2 in 51.15; Rachael Kelly made 4th in the final of the Senior Women’s 100m Hurdles final in 16.24; Sarah Dowling finished 8th in the final of the Senior Women’s 400m final in 61.67; Harriet Pryke was 5th in the final of the U20 Women’s 400m final in 62.32; Tom Riley won a Silver Medal in the final of the Senior Men’s 100m in 10.81; A Senior Men’s 3000m steeplechase final silver medal for John Halligan in 9.43.87 & 8th for Darren Gray in 10.13.91 Day 2; Charlotte Christian was 8th in the U20 Hammer final with 31m 55 and 7th in the Shot Putt final with 8m 47; In the U20 Men’s 400m Hurdles heats Michael Haslett finished 4th in 58.34 then 5th in the final in a time of 57.06. Rachael Kelly was 4th in the 400m Hurdles heats for Senior Women and then 6th in the final in 68.41. Sarah Dowling recorded 26.79 in 8th place in the Senior Women’s 200m final. Also of note Louise Kneen of Western AC won Gold in the Senior Women’s Shot Putt with 12m 04. She was also 5th in the Hammer with 32m 45 & 8th in the Discus throwing 33.40. Day 1 & Day 2 results in full

Di & Bernie Shimell took Manx Harriers athletes Tom Richmond, Conor Delanbanque, Gemma Astin. Ciara McDonnell & Danielle Ross to the Northern Athletics U17 & U15 Track & Field Championships in Leeds on 26th & 27th May. The young athletes were a credit to themselves, their coach and the club and there were some excellent performances recorded. On Day 1; Conor Delanbanque finished 6th in the final of the U17 Men’s 400m Hurdles in a time of 60.64 (following an earlier 3rd & 62.56 in Heat 2). Gemma Astin was 7th in the U17 Women’s 3000m Final in a time of 10.25.42. Tom Richmond finished 9th in Heat 3 of the U17 Men’s 800m in 2.05.75 Day 2; Conor Delanbanque was 8th in Heat 2 of the 1500m finishing in a time of 4.29.32. In the U15 Girls 100m Ciara McDonnell finished 7th in Heat 3 recording 13.79. Danielle Ross & Ciara McDonnell both competed in the U15 Girls 200m. In the heats, Ciara finished 6th in a time of 27.94. Danielle qualified for the final after a second place in her heat in a time of 26.65, followed by an excellent run in the final to record 26.59 and 5th place. Day 1 & Day 2 full results here (thanks Alan Franklin)

Congratulations to all Manx Harriers athletes who competed at Stanley Park, Blackpool on 12th & 13th May in the Lancashire Track & Field Championships – especially to all our medal winners. Full results here Special mention for David Munro won 3 Gold medals in the 400m, 100m Hurdles & 400m Hurdles and set 2 new Manx Records in the latter two.

Manx Harriers junior racewalkers were in action at the Sheffield Festival of Athletics Jeff Ford Memorial Open race walks on Saturday 21st April.The event was part of the RWA Young Athletes Grand Prix incorporating the Race Walking Association Young Athletes Championships and were held at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield. Sinead Kaneen lead the way in the U13 Girls event over 2K winning Gold ahead of Alexandra Ross also of Manx Harriers in Silver medal position. Lauren Whelan also won Gold in the U15 Girls event (16.49) in which Kirsty Taylor finished 6th. Emma Latham unfortunately picked up her 3rd card on the finish line resulting in a disqualification in the Junior Women’s 5K. Karen Renecle finished an excellent 4th in the U17 Girls 5K (32.17) and Richard Bell 10th in the corresponding U17 Boys race. The athletes were accompanied by coaches Allan Callow, Elizabeth Corran & Bridget Kaneen. Steve Taylor was senior judge at the event. (thanks to Bridget for the info) Bridget’s photos here & Full Results by John Howley

Top 4 local finishers the Flora London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April were all from the same training group. The Manx Harriers quartet were led home by Nigel Armstrong recording 2:53:19 in the difficult conditions due to the heat. Mike Garrett & Murray Lambden ran together for 25 miles with Mike finishing the stronger to record 2:57:07 just over a minute ahead of Murray who crossed the line in 2:58:19. Paul Curphey finished in 3:08:24 whilst another member of their training group, unattached Mark Clague struggled home in 3:11:36. Top lady finishers for Manx Harriers were Jan Cooil 3:50:54, Diane Shimmin 4:13:16 & Debby Ashe 4:24:30. Gemma & Sarah Astin ran impressively in the Adidas® Mini Marathon. Gemma finished in 16:00 (32nd in 15/16 Girls) with Sarah close behind in 16:19 (28th in 13/14 Girls) Extensive coverage by Murray Lambden here

Congratulations to Peter Kaneen who finished 2nd in the National 20k race walking championships on Saturday 14th April in Coventry in a time of 1.40.46. Andy Penn of Nuneaton was first in 1.35.24 with Steve Hollier of Wolverhampton & Bilston in third. Johanna Jackson of Redcar RWC won the ladies title in 1.38.34 on a day when times were slowed by the hot conditions 20K Results & 10K results & Photos by Tim Watt

Manx Harriers athletes are in action off the island on the weekend of 24th & 25th March. Conor Delanbanque, Ciara Kaneen, Gemma Astin and Sarah Astin represented Merseyside Schools in the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Leeds on Saturday Results here & Summary by Alan Franklin here.Then on Sunday morning, Island Games Half-Marathon hopefuls Samantha Cowen and Gail Griffiths were in action in the Liverpool Half Marathon, Sam recorded an massive pb by nearly 5 mins recording official chip time 1.31.45 – a time within the Island Games main guideline time of 92.00. Gail Griffiths also ran well to record 94.00. Full results here Ed Gumbley tackled the Asics Reading Half Marathon also on Sunday finishing 107th in 1.19.31 Full Results here

Well done to all Manx Harriers athletes who competed in the National Cross Country Championships held at Herrington Park Sunderland on 10th March. Results: Senior Men: John Halligan 136th, Ed Gumbley 236th, Andy Fox 253rd, Darren Gray 274th, Kevin Loundes 306th, Andrew Duncan 347th, Andy Watson 391st; Nick Percival 483rd, Dave Newton 574th; The Men’s team finished an excellent 22nd. Senior Women: Gail Griffiths 156th; U20 Men: Andrew Newton 113th; Under 15 Boys: Conor Delanbanque 105th; Under 15 Girls: Gemma Astin 28th; Under 13 Girls: Sarah Astin 8th. Keith Gerrard running for his new club Newham & Essex Beagles finished 19th Full Results

Congratulations to Ed Gumbley who set a big personal best of 74m 37s in the Great North West Half Marathon held in Blackpool on Sunday 25th February, achieving an Island Games Development Guideline time. Ed was 9th out of 1100 competitors. results here

A party of 32 Manx Harriers will compete in the Lancashire Cross Country Championships at Blackburn’s Witton Park on Saturday 6th January. The group have an early 7.20am start from Ronaldsway. The first race gets off at 11.30am with the under 13’s and the seniors last off at 2pm. Between these times all will experience the pleasure of tackling the dreaded ‘saucer’ (some athletes 4 times in their race). Some will be disappointed with their efforts and others will make the medal podium. Last year the club won 8 medals. It will be interesting to see what the haul is this year. Athletes to watch should be the Astin sisters, and the teams in the under 15 girls, senior men and women’s sections. Also some of the veteran’s may bring some precious metal home as well. Keith Gerrard is competing but cannot score for the locals as he is now first claim to Newham and Essex Beagles. He has been injured for much of the Summer and Autumn and is early back into his training. Hopefully he will be inspired on the day. In addition to medals, many will win the chance to represent Lancashire in the Inter Counties cross country champs. Usually the top 6 – sometimes top 10 – in each race get invites. Those on trip – Andy Fox, Andy Duncan, Keith Gerrard, Tom Richmond, Bridget Kaneen, Bronwen Kaneen, Chris Quine, Sarah Nelson, Fay Latham, Gail Griffiths, Dave Griffiths, Emily Ashe, Catriona Cox, Murray Lambden, Nigel Armstrong, Di Shimell, Mike Garrett, Kevin Loundes, Dawn Yates, Jack Garrett, Darren Gray, Rachael Franklin, Lauren Whelan, Jordan Cain, Ann Cain, Conor Delanbanque, Andy Newton, Gianni Epifani, John Halligan, Dave Newton. Gemma and Sarah Astin and family & Ryan Fairclough of NAC (Above preview thanks to Andy Fox)