correction to above link (thanks to Steve Taylor)

10km final league positions, apologies to Bridget for providing incomplete information yesterday. All other information is correct

 

Report by Bridget Kaneen

Conditions were just about perfect for the closing round of the Friends Provident International walks league held at the perimeter raceway of the National Sports Centre. All competitors started together with the final standings being decided on a sealed handicap.

Winner of the 2km handicap Kirsty Taylor saved her best effort of the winter till last, recording a fine personal best. Second place went to Sinead Kaneen, who also recorded her best effort to date. Fay Latham and Lauren Whelan could not be split in joint third. Terence George walked his best race ever as his technique was much improved on previous rounds, while newcomer James Kershaw also walked a good race to pick up the remaining point. Race winner, Kirsty also picked up the league title with a four point victory over her rivals. Fay was runner up while Lauren took third on the podium just one point further back.

At 5km Robert Moore really knuckled down for his six and a quarter lap race and was rewarded with his best race of the season, a great confidence boost for him before he tackles 10km at the national championships which take place in Leamington Spa next month. Emma Latham also worked hard, though not quite able to match her time from the open meeting a couple of weeks ago, it was still enough however to clinch the overall  5km league title, with a two point margin over Enid Watson.

At 10km,  Michael George gained just revenge for a lap scoring error in the last round at Ronaldsway.Taking full advantage of his handicap he finished a country mile ahead of anyone else with a fine sixty one minute clocking.  Donna Workman backed up her victory in the last round with another one minute improvement to take second.  Adrian Cowin also revelled in the fine racing conditons finishing third in his best 10k to date and very nearly overhauling Dougie Corkill in the closing stages. Dot Watterson recorded another top ten finish in fourth with Peter Marchment making up the top five.

Fastest walker on the day was Dave Griffiths, involved in an early battle for supremacy with Sean Hands until around the 5km mark when Sean called it a day.  Dave maintained his effort for another fine 53 minute clocking. Fastest female was Jackie Campbell from Lisa Motley with Dot Watterson third fastest.

Overall winner of the main 10km league with an 11 point margin was Lisa Motley proving that steady and consistent improvement is the key to winter league success. Finishing the entire parish walk last year, Lisa has adapted well to the shorter, faster events and shown sound technical ability and speed.