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Rachael & Kevin IOM Half Marathon Champions Manx Harriers have a new star in Rachael Tewkesbury, following a fantastic run in the Haldane Fisher Syd Quirk Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd November organised by the IOM VAC Rachael won the Women’s Isle of Man Half Marathon Championships comfortably in a time of 88m 45s, a personal best time and almost 3 minutes quicker than her half marathon debut in Ramsey in August this year and well inside the Island Games guideline time of 90m 30s. Kevin Loundes took the men’s title in an impressive time of 71 m 16s despite being halted at the level crossing by the late running steam train. (photos by Stan Hall full collection here) Michael George finished 3rd in the Dutch National 50Km racewalk Championships in Tilburg, Holland on Sunday 19th October, shattering his personal best set in Stockton on Tees earlier this year and cracking the 5 hour barrier with a time of 4hrs 49m & 50s. FULL RESULTS (thanks to Martijn Biesmans)
A superb performance by Ed Gumbley in Berlin on Sunday 28th September recording the fastest marathon time by a Manxman since 1994 with a time of 2.36.53. Watch out for Ed and witness Gebreselassie’s world record run in the full 3½ hours video coverage here Promotion for Senior Track & Field team in Northern League Congratulations to the Senior Manx Harriers Track & Field team for gaining promotion in the Northern Senior League following a second place finish behind Liverpool Harriers in Sunday’s final league match at Trafford. (3rd August) Manx Harriers finished in top spot in the league overall to secure promotion from Division 3 West. results (thanks to Alan Franklin)
Reagan’s Manx High Jump Record Manx Harriers high jumper Reagan Dee has been in outstanding form in 2008. After clearing 1.48 metres in last season’s Lancashire Championships (a performance that ranked her number 9 in the UK in the Under 13 age group in 2007) she recently upped her pb to 1.62 metres in a schools event. If ratified, this performance would presently rank her number 5 in the UK this season in her first year as an Under 15. Even more significantly, this would be a new outright Isle of Man ladies record for the High Jump, beating the previous mark of 1.61 metres jointly held by Cheryl Done (set in 1986) and Hollie Bass (2002). Has any outright Isle of Man athletics record ever before been held by a 13 year old? Reagan will be too young to be considered for selection for the 2009 Island Games which stipulates a minimum age of 15 for athletics, but to put into perspective what a terrific competitor she is, a jump of 1.62m would have won the silver medal in last year’s Island Games in Rhodes! Photo by John Whitlow thanks to Dave Griffiths Personal Best & Silver for Lauren Sports Aid recipient Lauren Whelan reduced her personal best time by four seconds whilst being part of the large England Squad competing in the Schools’ International Track & Field events for U17 year olds held at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Saturday 19th July. Lauren lined up for the 3000m walks, which combined the girls and boys together. The conditions were not ideal, being extremely windy but this did not seem to deter her. From the gun Lauren was with the two Irish Girls who have both recorded faster times this year but this did not seem to faze her. She walked fairly even splits through out but last years winner Fiona Dennehy just managed to pull away in the last two laps winning in a time of 15.34. Also, Irelands Emma Prindbhil started to pull away but Lauren never lost focus and with just over a lap to go she managed to leave the Irish girl behind to finish second in a time of 15.57 breaking the 16 minute barrier for the first time to win Silver medal. Emma finished third in 16.14 followed by England’s Vicky Morgan in 16.42. Lauren would like to thank the Isle of Man Sports Council for their support. (Report thanks to Elizabeth Corran) Results here Silver for Lauren at Junior World Trials National Under 17 Women’s Racewalking Champion Lauren Whelan of Manx Harriers won Silver Medal at the Norwich Union U23 & U20 Track & Field Championships at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Sunday 22nd June. Lauren competed in the U20 5km walk which incorporated the World Junior trials. Bridget reports on the Forum & Results here
Northern Athletics Senior & Under 20 Track & Field Championships The Northern Athletics Senior & Under 20 Track & Field Championships took place at Sportscity, Manchester on 14th & 15th June featuring a number of Manx Harriers members. David Munro achieved the Commonwealth Youth Games qualification time recording 50.51 in the 400m heats. Results here & analysis of Manx Performances on the forum here
Merseyside Schools Track & Field Championships Manx Harriers athletes were represented the Isle of Man at the Mersyside Schools Track & Field Championships on 14th & 15th June. Check ou the results here (Thanks to Alan Franklin)
New 10,000m Manx Record for Keith Gerrard Keith Gerrard became the first Manxman to run 10,000m in under 30 minutes at the British Milers Club Elite meeting in Watford on Saturday 14th June. Keith recorded 29.39.72 to take 25 seconds off Dave Cowell’s existing record set at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974. Follow the thread on the forum here & results here
Leg strong Armstrong completes the gruelling Comrades Marathon Nigel Armstrong completed the 56 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa. Follow the action as it unfolded on the forum here Visit the official event website here Race report here View Nigel’s race stats here
Northern U15 & U17 Championships Gemma Astin was Silver medallist in the U17 Women’s 3000m at the North of England U15 & U17 Championships at Robin Park, Wigan this weekend 24th & 25th May. Summary of Manx performances here (thanks to Alan Franklin) Day 1 report & Day 2 report & full results
National Junior title for Lauren Manx Harriers Junior walkers had a successful trip to the National Championships which were held at Victoria Park in London on Sunday 4th May. Sports Aid Recipient Lauren Whelan was the best result for the Manx contingent taking the under 17 women’s title in her first year in the age group. Although full results are not available as the team left to catch their flight, by all accounts she had a comfortable margin of victory over her main rival Vicky Morgan of Wolverhampton, finishing her 5k in 27minutes 55 seconds. Richard Bell was 6th in the under 17 men’s 5k off limited training in a time of 36.07. In the under 15 boys 3k, James Green managed a personal best time of 18.59 and a fine 4th position in his first race off Island. Jessica Isherwood was equally impressive in the same age group in the girls event with 6th place and a personal best of 19.44. It was also Jessica’s first taste of National competition. In the Under 13 girls 2k, Alexandra Ross finished in silver medal position with a quick time of 11.40. Sinead Kaneen has been laid low with a virus since Easter but still managed to finish in a good 5th place with 12.56 and Hannah Kelly who was also taking part in her first ever national race, came through the field to secure 10th place in 13.52, the girls securing silver team medals. Travelling official Peter Kaneen also donned his racing kit and finished second in the senior open 5k event in 23.41. (thanks Bridget Kaneen) FULL RESULTS HERE Blackpool Half Marathon There were personal best times for Gail Griffiths & Sarah Nelson of Manx Harriers at the Blackpool Half Marathon on Sunday 27th April. Results here & photos here (look for numbers 5173 & 6166)
Busy Sunday for Manx Harriers athletes Keith Gerrard competed for Great Britain in France at the World Universities Cross Country Championships on Sunday 6th April where he finished 14th overall in a very high class field. Keith was the second GB finisher behind Andy Vernon helping the Men’s team to a silver medal. Full results here Also see Isle of Man online feature here about Keith. Rachael Franklin and Tom Richmond ran at the Warrington Open Meeting on Sunday but were somewhat thwarted by bad weather with snowy conditions which affected times about 2.21 and 2.03 respectively in 800m. Junior Racewalker Lauren Whelan competed at Earls Colne at the National 20Km & Junior 10Km Championships on Sunday also in difficult wintry conditions. She had planned to walk in the supporting Under 17’s 5Km event but on arrival discovered she had been entered into the 10Km Championships. Unfortunately Lauren went over on her ankle on the poor surface sustaining an injury. She struggled on to 5Km in around 28 minutes. Manx Harriers at the Inter Counties Cross Country Champs Manx Harriers athletes Keith Gerrard, Gail Griffiths, Gemma Astin & Sarah Astin competed for Lancashire County at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships on Satuday 15th March at Woolaton Park, Nottingham. Report by Dave Griffiths here on the forum see also UK Athletics Website Report & Full Results
Lancashire Track & Field Championships The Lancashire Track & Field Championships take place at Stanley Park, Blackpool on the weekend of May 10th & 11th. Anybody wanting entry forms and details of the Manx Harriers trip please contact: Di Shimell. on 623582 or 450488 or email [email protected] Only 45 places available so don’t delay!
Manx Gas Cross Country League presentation The Manx Gas Cross Country League presentation takes place at the South Douglas Old Friends Association on Friday 4th April 2008. Doors open at 7.30pm with the presentation starting at 8pm. A light buffet will be served. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults £3.50 for juniors under 18 and full time students and £15 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Places for the presentation are limited so please do contact Andy Fox at 61, Brunswick Rd, Douglas, IM2 3NW with cheques made out to IOM AA to ensure your place at the presentation. Also include an SAE for your tickets. Athletes should note that the medals for the IOM Cross Country Champs will also be presented on this occasion which may include a few runners who did not complete the whole challenge. Team awards are also presented for the championships. So get your request in the post today (thanks Andy Fox)English National Cross Country Championships A party of athletes 10 first and 1 second claim from Manx Harriers, and 2 from Northern AC competed in the English National Cross Country Championships at Alton Towers on Saturday 23rd February. Sarah Astin had a fantastic run in the U15G race finishing 14th. Gemma Astin was an impressive 32nd in the U17L race. Unfortunately Ryan Fairclough of NAC suffered a fall and twisted his ankle so failed to finish in the U20M race. Gail Griffiths had a fine run to finish 154th in the Senior Ladies event. Keith Gerrard continued his fine recent form to finish 14th in the Senior Men’s race and Kevin Loundes finished 130th, finally getting the better of his season long rival Manx Gas & Isle of Man Cross Country Champion John Halligan who finished 148th. Darren Gray finished in 274th place ahead of coach Andy Fox in 373rd place. Andrew Duncan finished in 534th place and Les Brown 1045th . (thanks Dave Griffiths & Di Shimell for updates) Mick Hall’s photos here Results more photos
Manx Harriers athletes selected for Inter Counties Cross Country Champs The following Manx Harriers have been selected to represent Lancashire in the Inter Counties cross-country championships at Wollaton Park Nottingham on Saturday 15th March. U/15 Women Sarah Astin U/17 Women Gemma Astin Sen Men Keith Gerrard. Info thanks to Tony Croft, Blackpool Wyre & Fylde AC Tom Richmond recorded a superb PB in the 800m at the Blue Midland Open indoor athletics meeting on Sunday 17th February. For news of all the Manx Harriers performances and full results follow this thread at the manxathletics.com forum Manx Harriers at the Isle of Man Cross Country Championships Manx Harriers claimed the top 8 positions in the Senior Men’s race at an extremely muddy Isle of Man Cross Country Championships on Sunday 20th January at Crossags Farm. John Halligan retained his championship crown finishing ahead of Kevin Loundes with Nigel Armstrong 3rd, Gianni Epifani 4th and Ed Gumbley 5th. Darren Gray was 6th. Mike Garrett finished in 8th place behind Veteran Men’s Champion Andy Fox who finished 7th. There was also success for our juniors with Danielle Barton (U9G), Katie Astin (U11G), Alice Ashe (U13G), Sarah Astin (U15G), Gemma Astin (U17G) all claiming age group titles. Photos & Video coverage by Murray Lambden at here Results by Dave Griffiths here
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