Round 1 NSC, Douglas

Sunday 29th October 2006

Start of the Junior race (photo Murray Lambden)

10K Winner Peter Kaneen in 47.12 (photo Steve Partington)

Excellent performances by 2nd fastest over 10K Jock Waddington (57.04) and 5K winner Lauren Whelan  (29.02) (photo Steve Partington)

John Stubbs (21) & Mike Readshaw (49) on lap 1 (photo PJ)

George Blair (38), Gordon Corran (1), Carl Wild (53) Dennis Cheeseman (yellow top) & Marie Gilbertson (30)  after half a lap (photo PJ)

Fastest lady over 10K Lisa Motley in an impressive 62.04 (photo PJ)

Winner of the junior 1K race in impressive style despite lack of recent training Alex Norris (photo Murray Lambden)

2K winner Sinead Kaneen (left) & Karen Renecle winner of the 3K (photos Murray Lambden)

Basking in the winter sunshine hardworking Winter League organiser and recorder Bridget Kaneen with timekeeper Peter Clague (photo Steve Partington)

Report by Bridget Kaneen

The perfect weather on Sunday morning enticed a bumper entry of walkers in to the first round of the winter walking league. Most of the competitors must have felt over dressed for the unexpected balmy conditions and a drinks station had to be set up, a situation virtually unheard of in a 10k event this far into the year.

The junior walkers were first away, with three different distances for athletes to choose from. Alex Norris was first across the line in the 1k event, just six seconds clear from younger sister Katie, with both of them going under six minutes and walking with great fluency.  Adam Cowin has worked hard on improving his technique and was rewarded with a fine third place. Second girl across the line was Paige Skillicorn, with the big battle for third position, ending with Jessica Isherwood and Natalie Campbell sharing the honours ahead of Alice Bell and Millie Rowe.

The 2k event saw Sinead Kaneen and Alexandra Ross both moving up a distance and an age group, and coping well with the increased demand of an extra kilometre. Sinead took the win from Alexandra who had a stitch mid way through the race slowing her progress, but she managed to walk it off and finished well.

Karen Renecle and Richard Bell raced at 3k, with Karen narrowly missing out on a sub 20 minute clocking.  She should be able to better that in the next race at Andreas. Richard set a personal best and is another who is set to improve further.

The 10k saw the biggest entry of the day, with 58 starters. Peter Kaneen made the most of the only scratch start and took the lead from the gun to finish in a touch over 47 minutes in an even paced effort which showed a improvement in recent form.  Jock Waddington walked well to finish in a clear second position.  The third podium place was a tighter affair, with Dougie Allan just holding off a fast finishing Eammon Harkin. Lisa Motley claimed the top spot in the ladies with a sharp sixty two minute clocking, ahead of Helen Renecle.  Jane Mooney and Alison Brand were joint third placers, walking the entire distance together.  All of these look capable of improving their speed throughout the winter months and making it a good competitive series.

It was great to see so many new walkers taking part as well as the series regulars and also those returning to competition after long absence. It will be interesting to see who the big improvers are in the next race, when the series reverts to a handicapped start.

The 5k event included one junior competitor, who showed her rivals a clean pair of heels.  Lauren Whelan lead the field throughout the six and a quarter laps of the bowl to finish in just over 29 minutes. Andy Boardman was second  with a couple of minutes to spare over Enid Watson who in turn had a comfortable margin over returning walker Jackie Bairstow.

Many thanks to all the officials and helpers who worked hard throughout the morning to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The next league event is at Andreas village on 19^th November, with signing on at Andreas community hall at 9.30 am and the events scheduled to start at 10am.

If anyone who is not walking is available for marshalling or other duties, please contact Bridget Kaneen all offers of help will be much appreciated. If anyone requires further information, online is at www.manxharriers.com or contact Bridget on 852884 or email [email protected]

181 photos by Murray Lambden

Results thanks to Bridget Kaneen