HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FORUM

The official website for the European Walking Championships is here.

It doesn't appear to have much current information so if anyone can find a link for the results please send me an email.

I'll be out this morning watching the Northern 10 so I won't be able to publish the results until this afternoon unless I receive them before 9.45.

I hope that the above went ok despite the rather wet weather. I wouldn't have been able to make it in any event with my Saturday commitments but I was told by Graham Davies last night that we could not take pictures without a media pass.

On the way back from my Saturday job today I stopped to give John Cannell a lift.  He had just received a text message from Liz Corran to say that the entries for the Clerical Medical Parish Walk were over the 1000 mark.

More news (hopefully tomorrow).

The Young Athletes League resumes tomorrow and I'm sure I'll be able to bring you news via the Brand family tomorrow night on Monday. With the Lancashire Championships sandwiched between two rounds of this league I'm sure there will be some travel fatigue among the team. Hope they go well.

I don't have any pre race publicity for this one and I don't know a lot about athletes intentions but I understand that Bernard Cannan is running and last week's Peel to Douglas fourth placer Mike Garrett definitely is.

Peter Hughes is a regular in this Northern AC organised race but I can't confirm whether he is running. I wonder if Brian Osbourne will return after making his debut last year or whether Peel to Douglas top two Paul Clarke or Charlie Pass will run.

Ian Callister was due to run the Bob Baxter round today, a 50+ mile run around each of the Island's summits.

Training 

To be held on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May. This is a non-competitive walk of about 24 miles. Ideal for Parish Walkers to get a few hours on their feet.  Start at Ham and Egg Terrace Laxey at 8.15am 

I can give you some very 'ish' times from last nights race, I had to stop my watch from the 200m,  but they should be within a second or so.

The timing for athletes running in the Northern mens league meeting that weekend is not great however. If the demand is great from athletes not competing that weekend, perhaps it may be still worth organising one.

I agree with your comments about track races etc.

I believe we need to develop an endurance running strategy on the Isle of Man. Many have complained about times in the year with too many races others when there are none. Then there are all the different kinds of races Track, Country, Fell, Road and multi terrain. There is also a habit to label athletes as track runners etc.

I feel we need to take an overview and look at the whole picture. Then we can ensure there are enough fell races and road etc. through the year and also there is a logical plan to allow those who wish to compete in a number of disciplines or over different distances to be able to do so. In other words no discipline takes precedence. We take a clean sheet and plan a year of events for the good of the individual athletes first and then the sport as a whole second and the disciplines themselves third.

The IOM AA dev. plan may move us in this direction however until we get there I am afraid there will always be the problems as detailed on the web site because no logical plan or thought has gone into putting the whole of the fixture list together.

I am sure such an endurance initiative could extend to training, funding international teams etc. I hope we can grasp the opportunity to really take things forward.

Who said the following and when?

"We have suffered from a chronic fixture congestion and have gone for quantity rather than quality. ...What we need (is to) ....cut the fixtures to a third of the present level, get the top athletes on the Island all lining up together, get three figure entries in the main races, and insist that all club members help in at least one in three of the races that they are not participating in..... What is the point of three clubs from the Isle of Man competing in the Northern men's league....How often do we compete against other clubs on the Island? Pathetically few..... Lets go and make it work or tell me how you see the club in five years time."

Does it all sound familiar? Well the above is an extract from my speech to the AGM of Boundary Harriers calling for us to merge with the other Island clubs on 17 November 1988!!

A young athlete celebrating his 14^th Birthday caught the eye in what was a tremendous weekend for local track & field athletes, when most eyes should have been on the Island Games team members competing at the Lancashire County Championships held in Stanley Park, Blackpool.

For the last two years Ben Brand would have had written on his end of season athletic report failed to reach his true potential in major Championships, he shattered that hoodoo with two County Championship gold medals in what was an outstanding performance.

He won the Island its first gold medal of the day in the 80m hurdles with training partner Michael Haslett taking the silver, he then went over to the High Jump and took the gold in that and to round off a good first day he picked up a bronze after coming through the heats in the 100 metre’s final. On day two his birthday he came through all the heats again to make the final of the 200 metre’s and 800 metre’s but he would have to run the finals back to back, going into the final of the 800 he had a personal best of 2 minutes 18 seconds and up until the last 30 metre’s was in with a chance of a medal but just failed to hold his form to the line, but his time 2 minutes 13.7 seconds was incredible. After lying very tired and upset on the track he got up and went over to the Javelin did two throws before lining up for the 200 metre’s final where he stormed through to win the silver medal in 25.7 seconds, then ran back over to complete the Javelin competition where he won a bronze medal.

Now what about our Island Games team members well 18 year old Chris Whitlow who will be taking part in his first Games was our star performer winning gold in the Triple jump and 400 metre Hurdles he also took silver in the High jump, Long jump and 400 metre flat race. Glyn Hoosen-Owen who won the County Championship in the under 17 boys Discus last year moved up an age group to win the junior men’s title and also won a silver medal in the Shot Put. Hoosen-Owen has also appealed for some help in his preparation for the games, as he currently has no coach to advise him.

Kerree Kermode has given the games team selectors a major boost by winning the Junior ladies County Championship in Discus and taking the runner-up spot in Shot Put, this is after some athletic officials questioned her selection to the team. Hannah Riley travelled up from College to join the team and made up for her disaster in the 100 metre hurdles final on day one, where she hit the first three hurdles very hard before falling by taking bronze in 400 hurdles final. Hannah’s new coach is trying to increase her speed between hurdles, and this has unfortunately upset rhythm over the hurdles making Hannah fall in her last couple of events, so it was a case of just getting round to recover some lost confidence. The Islands top ladies sprinter Sarah Dowling was rewarded with her hard work over the winter with bronze in the 100 metre’s final, incidentally in which one competer equaled the World and British Veteran ladies record. The remaining member of our games squad competing was Holly Bass who had to cut short her week long 18^th Birthday celebrations to concentrate on these championships and she was happy with her performance taking the silver in the 200 metre’s and bronze in the 400 metre’s and Triple jump.

Bringing the total haul of medals up to 29 were some other very promising young athletic performances, Adam Bingham took the silver in the under 17 boys 100 metre hurdles final, Shaun Cregeen added another in the 3000 metre’s as did Harriet Pryke on her debut in the High Jump. Michelle Greaves won two bronze medals in Javelin and 300 metre hurdles. Jimmy Eccles had a poor championship by his standards but still gained a bronze in Discus; no doubt this will make him even more determined to bounce back next year.  Sprinter Peter Richardson who made all the finals he entered finally was rewarded by a bronze in the Shot Put, another athlete struggling at present is Josh Masterson he found it very hard in the very competitive under 17 years age group but he finally had some reward with a bronze in the Triple Jump as did Daniel Pownell in the under 17 years Long Jump.

 So ended a very successful weekend for Manx athletics what was pleasing about this trip was the fact that those who won medals shared their success with those who didn’t. I can only finish by saying I would be proud to travel with them all again they are a great credit to our Island.

Lancashire County Track & Field Championships 2003

Stanley Park, Blackpool

Local results

DAY ONE -  SATURDAY 10^th MAY

80m Hurdles

Final                 4, Michelle Greaves                    13.50

Under 15B         1, Ben Brand                             14.00                            2, Michael Haslett          14.80

100 Hurdles

Under 17 Boys   2, Adam Bingham                      16.60

JAVELIN

Under 17 Girls   3, Michelle Greaves                    25.88

Under 15 Girls   6, Helen Ring                             15.83                7, Charlotte Christian                  8.17

400m

Junior Men

Final                 2, Chris Whitlow                        54.70    Junior Women   3, Hollie Bass                63.20

Under 17 Boys   5, Josh Masterson                     57.90

300m

Heat 1               4, Michelle Greaves                    47.00    Final     8, Michelle Greaves                    49.60

DISCUS

Junior Men        1, Glyn Hoosen-Owen                39.00

Under 17 Boys   3, James Eccles                        28.49

HIGH JUMP

Junior Men        2, Chris Whitlow                        1.75

Under 15B         1, Ben Brand                             1.53                  4, Daniel Stewart-Clague            1.44

Under 17 B        4, Sam Cannell                          1.60                  5, Shaun Cregeen                      1.60

                        6, Josh Masterson                     1.55

SHOT PUT

Junior Men        2, Glynn Hoosen-Owen               11.78

Under 15B         3, Petyer Richardson                  8.60                  4, Daniel Stewart-Clague            7.41

Under 17B         4, James Eccles                        9.44

TRIPLE JUMP

Junior Men        1, Chris Whitlow                        12.16

Under 17B         3, Josh Masterson                     10.98                4, Adam Bingham                      10.97

                        6, Shaun Creegen                      9.35

100 m

Senior Women   3, Sarah Dowling                        13.00

U15 Girls

Heat 1               4, Helen Ring                             14.40     Heat 2  5, Harriet Pryke                         13.70

U15 Boys

Heat 1               2, Peter Richardson                   13.00                7, Daniel Stewart-Clague            14.00                            8, Tony Eccles                              14.20

Heat 2               3, Ben Brand                             12.90                5, Michael Haslett                      13.60

Final                 3, Ben Brand                             12.80                4, Peter Richardson                   13.00

1500 m

U13 Boys          7, Jamie Carey                          5.46.80

U15 Boys         

Heat 1               4, Andrew Newton                      4.48.00

Final                 8, Andrew Newton                      5.11.60

U15 Girls          

Heat 1               7, Katie Tinkler                          5.59.90     Heat 2   Ciara Kaneen                        5.38.00

LONG JUMP

Under 15 Girls   5, Helen Ring                             4.34                  6, Harriet Pryke                         4.12

                        7, Mary Reilly                            3.93     

DAY TWO -  SUNDAY 11^th MAY

200m

U17 Men

Heat  2              6, Josh Masterson                     26.70

U15 Girls

Heat 1               6, Mary Reilly                            30.00    Heat 2   4, Harriet Pryke                         28.90

Final                 6, Harriet Pryke                         28.70

U15 Boys

Heat 1               2, Peter Richardson                   26.80                5, Michael Haslett                      27.90                            6, Tony Eccles                              30.50   

Heat 2               1, Ben Brand                             26.40                5, Peter Richardson                   26.80

7, Daniel Stewart-Clague            29.80

Final                 2, Ben Brand                             25.90                5, Peter Richardson                   26.40

Junior Ladies                                                                 Senior Ladies

Final                 2, Hollie Bass                            27.90    Final     4, Sarah Dowling                        27.00

300m Hurdles

Final                 3, Michelle Greaves                    52.20

400m Hurdles

Senior Women                                                               Junior Men

Final                 3, Hannah Riley                         72.20    Final     1, Chris Whitlow                        61.50

800m

U17 Boys

Heat 1               5, Sam Cannell                          2.20.80  Heat 2  4, Daniel Pownell                       2.15.70

U15 Girls

Heat 1               4, Ciara Kaneen             2.39.80             6, Mary Reilly                            2.55.30

8, Katie Kaneen                         3.00.90

Final                 9, Ciara Kaneen             2.41.00

U15 Boys

Heat 1               1, Ben Brand                             2.23.80             7, Andrew Newton                      2.33.70

Final                 4, Ben Brand                             2.13.20

3000m

Under 17 Boys  3, Shaun Cregeen                       12.19.10

LONG JUMP

Junior Men        2, Chris Whitlow                        5.82

U15 Boys          5, Daniel Stewart-Clague            4.67                  7, Michael Haslett                      4.51

                        9, Tony Eccles                          4.38

U17 Boys          3, Daniel Pownall                       5.23                  4, Adam Bingham                      5.09

SHOT PUT

U15 Girls           4, Kate Rivers                            8.50                  9, Charlotte Christian                  7.00

                        11, Helen Ring                           6.67

Junior Women   2, Kirree Kermode                      8.08

JAVELIN

U15Boys           3, Ben Brand                             33.75                6, Andrew Newton                      25.21

                        7, Tony Eccles                          22.82                8, Ryan Fairclough                     19.13

U17Boys           4, Shaun Cregeen                      22.36                6, James Eccles                        11.09

DISCUS

Junior Women   1, Kirree Kermode                      26.84

U15 Girls           4, Kate Rivers                            18.53                5, Helen Ring                             16.95

                        9, Charlotte Christian                  13.62              

HIGH JUMP

U15 Girls           2, Harriet Pryke                         1.36

TRIPLE JUMP

Junior Women   3, Hollie Bass                            9.83

Finished my final training session. 4x1kms at a reasonably steady pace (aiming at around 47min pace 10km) felt good, but a bit hard on the lungs - due to the cut grass.

We will arrive into London Heathrow airport hotel about 18:00 and most of the team will meet up then.

Nervous - Biggest race of my life! reminds me of how I felt the first time I raced in the AAA's but even more nerve racking.

It goes without saying that everyone from the Isle of Man will be behind Neil Bates when he makes his Great Britain debut on Sunday morning - 7 am GMT (6 AM BST?).

Its a huge honour for him and something that never happens by accident. Its the product of a lot of hard work and skill.

To see how many walkers have entered from each country per event click here. Fairly small file.

Physio on Monday and Wednesday showed some improvement but it's still not ready to do anything too strenuous.

The typical 'down time' is two weeks and as of today it's been 10 days (Wed).

I should be OK to do a gym session on Thursday (with some work on the cross-trainer) and maybe go for a jog on Saturday but I can't see myself on the track for at least another week and even then the work will be focused on the 800 until the muscle is fully recovered and able to cope with speedwork.

I think I'll just end up running the 800 at the Games but maybe if I do so we've got a chance of putting a 4x400 team out because dropping the 400 solo would ease my fixture congestion.

This time back in 2001 I lost a full week with a calf injury (also missing the Lancashires) and I also lost a week with a recurrence of the injury two weeks before the Games began. Not that I'm clutching at straws or anything like that!

Thanks to Andy Fox for organising last night's 5000 metres on behalf of Manx Harriers. There was a great three way battle at the front of the field (see front page) then Nick Percival took 4th ahead of Chris Shimmin.

After campaigning to see more middle distance racing on the track and I didn't actually see it. Instead I thought I had better support the cause and enjoyed a good dice with comeback man Dave Newton.

Could anyone supply the result please? Steve Partington had a good view of the race from the Sports Council meeting!

We must now bring back the 10,000 metres championships and the veterans mile.

Why have track leagues become associated just with children?

It would be great to see a full field of sprinters in a few meetings per year - we used to have heats and finals before we had a proper track.

As for the middle distance we all know that there are too many counter attractions on other racing surfaces. But surely we can manage a handful of good 800 and 1500 metres, maybe 2 5000 metres and one 10,000 metres per year.

Or what about an endurance event sometime?

Well you've only had three months or so to return your entry forms but the number of hits on the website have reached record levels with just a few days to go.

POST THEM TODAY OR ELSE!

They must be with Elizabeth Corran by Saturday 17 May.

50 or so would be entrants were turned away last year. Do you intend to miss out? Well do something now!

Just a reminder that Manx Harriers are organising a 5km walk on the TT access road tonight. All are welcome. There is not even an entry fee.

ISLE OF MAN FIXTURES

Well that ends another update that started at 5.30 this morning. There won't be quite as much tomorrow but keep the news coming.  I can't believe the fixture list. We now have the Dave Phillips memorial road races on Friday night and the Mann Link Travel Northern 10 miles on Sunday. The top young athletes are off the Island in the Young Athletes League on Sunday, the Manx Youth Games features athletics at the NSC and the Inter Schools Championships resume today at the NSC.

ADDITIONAL STATS BY PAUL JACKSON:

As someone who has not been competing for very long himself (he gets a chance tomorrow in the Buchanan & Pitts Carraghan Fell Race) Paul Jackson, who organised the Isle of Man Bank Peel to Douglas Road Run on behalf of Manx Harriers, feels strongly that there are a many other potential recruits to the sport in the Isle of Man.

He shares very similar views to mine that publicity and awareness that the sport is open to all regardless of age, ability or previous experience is vital to opening the doors to a floodgate of potential athletes.

And Paul proved it yet again with an excellently publicised event. The reward? This is what Paul said to me last night: "I was delighted with the newcomers entry. There was an astonishing 18 unattached runners, and a good show from the ladies. I was aiming for newcomers in the publicity and it certainly paid off."

Paul also paid tribute to Chris Corkill from the Isle of Man Bank. "He was there at 9am, officially 'started' the race and followed it to the finish. He was there at the Imperial till 12.30 after presenting the prizes. He showed a real interest in the event."

What a change in the weather for this event compared to last year. The main purpose of this event of course is to raise money for cancer charity and so if you haven't already made a contribution to the cause you only have to look at the pictures to identify someone you know who will be pleased to receive your contributions.

The spin off of the fund raising activities is that a lot of women have identified with a healthy lifestyle and exercising is a part of that. There can't be any easier way to maintain fitness than walking, jogging or running.  These pursuits can easily be done on your own or with a group of friends but training and competing with others can also be a lot of fun and if anyone who took part in the Race for Life yesterday is reading this, we hope to see you at Manx athletics events regularly throughout the year. You will receive a warm welcome and there are a host of contacts on this site.

ISLE OF MAN FIXTURES 

One of my complaints about there being too many events in the Isle of Man is that we don't get the chance to savour the outstanding performances. By the end of one week there may have been a further five events on the Isle of Man and each event is history very quickly.

Its therefore very difficult to do justice on this site to the many fine performances at the Lancashire Championships.

Although Lancashire no longer includes the large conurbations of Merseyside and Greater Manchester, it does include many large towns such as Blackpool, Preston, Chorley, Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington.

It is therefore a credit to the coaches, the people of the Isle of Man who provide us with such great facilities and, most of all, the athletes themselves, that we manage to win so many medals each year.

Well done to all concerned.

Tuesdays race looks like another eyeballs out effort for the top boys on the new course that will, I feel sure, prove a real classic. I`ve had a few looks over it and the more I see the more I like. As I reported last week the route is much more runner friendly than any other way we have used in this race previously. Unlike the three other routes we have taken in the past, it is possible to miss the heathery sections completely and stay on grass or sheep tracks all the way. The ascent, though, is tough and will be a stern test for everyone especially after the plantation section where the course rises very steeply. The descent will be rapid to say the least and the winner could be whoever has the most bottle. It could also get very interesting if the mist is down as it is easy to miss the correct line back to the plantation track if visibility is poor, especially when you are going at pace. A bonus for those of us who will be pottering along at the rear will be the fantastic scenery to enjoy overlooking the Baldwin Reservoir, absolutely stunning.

13 year old Manx Harriers race walker Emma Latham has been selected for the England team for the Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking. The event will be held at Phoenix Park on 13th July 2003. The team are hoping to retain the Nihill Shield won recently at Leamington Spa. A delighted Emma who has only been race walking for 18 months confirmed her availability today with Peter Cassidy, Honorary General Secretary of the Race Walking Association, although she is still unsure which race she will be competing in as the age groups are different to the English ones.  

Chris was off work for two days with a virus at the end of the week and cannot see how he will be recovered in time to run in the Isle of Man Peel to Douglas.

He is really disappointed about this as he had been gearing my training to this race for about the last 10 weeks.

Chris says: "My longer term aim is the Island Games, so my immediate aim is to recover from this setback and ease back into the training."

Back to physio this morning, Fri 9th. Despite the fact that the discomfort in 'normal' activities has all but gone, the session revealed that the injury still needs more time to heal properly. The last thing I need is to lose another two weeks (which would mean I would not go to Guernsey) so it's better to delay my return for an extra couple of days and err on the side of caution - the very earliest I'll be back running is next Wednesday.

Ever more, my preparation looks like it is going to be like that for Gotland, when I was called up with six weeks to go after Gianni pulled out. At the moment I'm resigned to going for medals rather than wins and possibly (maybe depending on whether the schedule is changed), I may just do one event.

Amongst the thirty odd athletes travelling to Stanley Park in Blackpool this weekend for the Lancashire County Track and Field Championships, will be seven young athletes recently selected to represent the Isle of Man in the Island Games in Guernsey.

Glyn Hoosen-Owen the current Lancashire Champion in the under 17 boys discus will be hoping that his ankle injury sustained playing Rugby during the winter will not stop him taking part in the Junior Men’s event and showing the selectors that their faith in him is well founded. Keith Gerrard was only able to compete in one of the three events over the Easter weekend after recovering from flu, and he will be hoping to improve on last years bronze medal in the under 17’s. Sarah Dowling who dominates the ladies sprinting on the Island would love to bring home a medal along with up and coming hurdler Chris Whitlow but they will find it very hard amongst some very talented athletes.

Another athlete hoping to prove the selectors faith in her is Kerry Kermode her selection was deemed very controversial in some athletic circles, so a good showing would certainly take some of the pressure off. Pre-selected Games athlete Holly Bass is most certainly a hot favorite to bring back a medal from Guernsey and will be determined to show some early season form in Blackpool.

With Hannah Riley, Martin Aram and Phil Riley all at College or university in England its not known if they will be contesting the Championships, if they do they are most certainly in with a chance of a medal.

Nine athletes will be competing in the under 17’s of those James Eccles, Adam Bingham, Daniel Pownall and Michelle Greaves are all in with a shout of a medal. Ryan Fairclough and Peter Richardson both from Ramsey will find it very tough in the Under 15 boys events having both just moved up from under 13’s. Of the 15 Manx athletes entered in the under 15’s Mary Reilly, Ben Brand and Helen Ring have the best chance of a medal, debutante Harriet Pryke will be the dark horse depending on the opposition. Along with the traveling athletes will be five local track officials hoping to gain valuable experience working in a major Championship.

Ironman Neville Jewell is competing for Great Britain in the World long course age-group triathlon championships in Ibiza this weekend.

The event consists of a 4km swim, 120km bike, 30km run.

Also competing will be the star of the Flora London Marathon (from a Manx point of view) Jessica Draskau-Petersson.

It amazes me to even think of doing those three events back to back but the two athletes above are obviously extremely committed to the cause and let's hope all goes well.

Hard working official Bridget Kaneen took the trouble to email the results to everyone in the media last night little more than two hours after the event finished - that is a great example in itself.

But if you didn't guess that she was competing herself, then look at the results and you'll see that she actually competed in the event winning a tough battle with Marie Latham. Anyone who has competed 25 laps flat out around the NSC roadway will know that you normally want to crash out afterwards so thanks again to Bridget. She has been one of the most consistent and helpful contributors to the site since it started.

Peter Kaneen's performance must not go unnoticed either. The trouble with local races sometimes is that we get too familiar with the positions that we expect people to finish and don't always stop to think of all the work and preparation that goes into competing so successfully. Referring to those 25 laps again, its the easiest thing in the world just to throw in the towel walking around there and keeping going at a fast pace is as hard, if not harder, than going at a more sedate pace no matter how fit you are.  A veterans record (if sanctioned) will be a just reward to Peter.

Bridget and Peter's daughter Bronwen won the 1 mile junior walk against some tough competition to make it a hatrick.

I hope that someone else may have time to write a full report on the race but the Kaneen family deserve a special mention just as I single out others for praise at other times.

Is there anywhere on the Isle of Man where you can hire bikes, the pedal variety or what we always used to call pushbikes? They are not for me but for a family visiting the Isle of Man. If you know of anyone could you email me at [email protected] please. Thanks.

Paul Jackson recorded his first ever radio interview yesterday when Tim Glover asked questions about Sunday's Isle of Man Bank sponsored Peel to Douglas Run. Check out Manx Radio sport today.

The race takes place this Sunday afternoon 11/5 at the NSC. Manx Harriers help with the marshals at the finish and round the NSC area. If you are willing to help please contact Andy Fox on 626415 as all money raised does go to a worthy cause.

Not long ago Murray mentioned the fact there were few track races for seniors down the NSC, no middle distance challenge etc. Well, we have a chance to do something about it. If you would like a run in a 5km or a mile why not come along on the dates listed below. There are a number of individuals who have stated an interest in running in the 5km already and it would be good to have a large field out to show the organisers that there is a demand for distance races on the track on the IOM. I will publish a list of those who will probably run next Monday.

Wed. 14/5/03    5000m  Start - 8.45pm.

Wed. 11/6/03    Steve Jacobs' Memorial Mile (handicap) Start - 6.30pm.

There are a number of other distance events planned after TT and the Island Games namely a Steeplechase and some 1500/800ms. So if anyone fancies a run out over a different distance as an experiment get in touch wih me on 626415. As a Steeplechaser I am aware that this event may seem daunting, however, if anyone would like to try it I am willing to give advice a