According to the IOMAA fixture list,
the Manx Gas Cross Country season starts on 12 October
- that's only 10 weeks on Sunday!
MARTIN SIXTH AT
AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Britannia
International Melbourne Squad member, Martin Aram, was at the Alexander Stadium
in Birmingham last Saturday (26th July) to compete at the AAA Senior
British track and field championships.This was the first time the teenager had competed at this televised
event, which also doubled as the European championship trials.The entry list for the mens high jump
consisted of nearly all the nationally ranked Under 23 and Senior British
athletes.Ben Challenger and Dalton
Grant would start as favourites for two of the medal positions but with many of
the competitors enjoying mixed form, virtually anything could
happen.
The
surprise package was Ian Holliday of Sale Harriers who, at the age of 29 quite
old for a high jumper, cleared a personal best height of 2.17 metres to claim
the silver medal, behind Ben Challengers 2.24.Nearly everyone else performed significantly below his best.Dalton Grant struggled even to get over his
opening height of 2.12 metres, needing all three attempts, but that was
sufficient for the bronze medal, as, surprisingly, nobody else cleared more than
2.07.
The
majority of the competitors came in at the starting height of 2.02 metres but
Martin chose to open at 2.07 to save energy for the later stages.The gamble was not entirely successful, as he
needed two attempts to clear it.Then,
struggling to achieve good positioning over the bar, the NatWest Island Games
record breaker had three failures at the next height of 2.12.The result was sixth place, the first failure
at 2.07 losing him two places on count-back.
With
double points in the UK Athletics Domestic series allocated from the results,
that failure proved quite costly for the AON Under 21 Sportsman of the
Year.After leading the series high jump
rankings through most of the rounds, he drops back into third place on 28
points, with Ian Holliday moving up dramatically to share the lead with Mark
Crowley on 30.However, Martin now has
sufficient points to be guaranteed a place in the Grand Prix final in Cwmbran,
South Wales, on 9th August, irrespective of the results in the last
round at Loughborough on 31st July, which he will not now
contest.
I
was pretty gutted after the competition, said the Manx Sports Aid
recipient.The bronze medal was there
for the taking; all I had to do was to clear 2.12 on my first or second attempt,
which should have been within my capability, but I couldnt do it on the
day.On reflection, I realised that most
of the other competitors could have said the same, and probably did!The good thing was that I was comfortable
opening at 2.07, compared with my usual 2.00 metres, which will be useful for me
in the future.Ive got a busy week
ahead of me.Ive been invited to take
part as a guest and reserve for the GB team in the Under 23 international
against France on Saturday (2nd August) in Ashford, Kent.Then, Im in Cwmbran the following Saturday
and the next day in Derby representing the North of England in the Under 23 home
international.
The
flight to Birmingham was provided by British Airways CitiExpress under his
Sports Scholarship.
NO OLYMPICS FOR MYERSCOUGH 31-07-03
Carl Myerscough, who competed against
Manx athletes regularly as a junior in the Young
Athletes League, has been informed that he
will not be selected to represent Great Britain
at the next or any future Olympics even though he
has recently broken the long standing British and
AAA championship shot putt records. Myerscough is
a genuine medal contender at the World Championships
to be held in Paris in August this year but the
BOA have stated that former drugs cheats will never
represent Great Britain in the Olympics. Myerscough
intends to appeal. Further details.
Thanks to Steve Taylor for this
one.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES WITH THE MANX MOUNTAIN
MARATHON ORGANISATION
Richie Stevenson reports 31-07-03
The Millennium Way Walk is to be held this coming
Sunday 3rd August starting at Castletown Sq. bright and early at either 6.30am
or 7.30am, you can take your pick of starting times. The walk is non-competitive
and will finish in the Mooragh Park Ramsey. Details from Doug Drown
823065.
There will be another training run over the Laxey
Horseshoe course this Sunday 3rd August starting at 9.00am from James Coulson's
house at Glen Ruy Farm. It will be at a steady pace suitable for
everyone.
WALKS TONIGHT - THURSDAY 31-07-03
Mark Stewart pointed out my error
yesterday when I captioned Steve Taylor's preview
of tonight's walk (Thursday) with the heading "Wednesday".
The 3km & 5km walks are at the
NSC tonight at 6.15 pm.
MORE NEWS OF KEITH GERRARD FROM CHRIS QUINE
31-07-03
Following on from the Northern League
match at Derby on 3rd August, he is planning to
follow this up by competing in the North of England
Under 20 3000m at the same venue on 12th August.
KEITH GERRARD BREAKS NINE MINUTES AT STRETFORD
Rob Berry reports 30-07-03
Keith ran 8.59.80
for 3000 metres at Stretford. I arrived too late to watch the race but looking at the
results I noticed there was 2 races going on, the winner Simon Deakin finished
in 8.25 followed by Spencer Newport in 8.28 then a big gap to 3rd place in 8.53
and Keith who was 7th in 8.59.
Finding good out of a disappointment by
Neil Bates 30-07-03
Although disappointed with the time on Saturday, I
am slowly becoming up beat about things. I was on target for a good PB up until
3km, but I just tensed up and my form was sacrificed. But considering the speed
I was going, I was surprised and please to finish the race with out even being
given a verbal warning from a judge (probably only the 2nd time this year!) so
not too bad. I haven't done much speed work since coming back from Russia, and
with only doing my first serious 20km 2 weeks ago, my legs could still be
feeling the effects, but I'm not making excuses. It just wasn't my day for a
fast time. "It Happens"
I am just looking forward now to getting into some
serious training and putting together a good 2 months of training. I haven't
really had chance to do any real structured training since Russia, so it will be
a nice challenge, especially with me having to compete over 20kms from now
on.
My aims now are very simple. Training hard and
gaining as much experience and improvements as possible at 20kms. With the main
aim of being fit and quick enough to aim at qualifying for the Commonwealth
Games in one of four races in 2005.
On a side from my athletics, when in Birmingham I
went up to the police station to complete an ID parade, as they believed that
they may have caught the people who mugged me in early March. Surprisingly, I
picked out two of the people, and they will be charged for their crime. So at
least some more good came out of the weekend.
All that is left for me to do is to just make the
usual thank you's to Family and friends. Allan, for spending so much time and
effort on me, and never giving in, Martin Bell and of course the Sports Council
for their financial support.
MORE OLDIES SOON 29-07-03
I've now got the whole set
of my Dad's old slides on CD thanks to my brother
Mike. Some of them are hilarious but of course
I feature in too many of them to use them all. Nevertheless
there are a few of other people and some of the
ones of me include other people to make them interesting.
As soon as I get a dull moment I'll pull them out.
ATHLETICS INTERNATIONAL
29-07-03
Vol 12 No 17: July 30, 2003Edited by Peter Matthews & Mel Watman
The above arrived as I was publishing
the website. This is what Mel Watman has to say
about Dwain Chambers performance on Saturday:
"With the world
100m title seemingly so open, Dwain Chambers claims were considerably enhanced
as a result of his 10.08 victory. Thats a pretty quick time just taken at face
value, but when you factor in a 1.6m headwind, the damp conditions and the fact
that he was easing up before he crossed the line, then clearly it was a
remarkable performance suggesting that in more suitable conditions he would
have been way inside 10 sec. Darren Campbell was an excellent second, well
clear of a mightily disappointed Mark Lewis-Francis. "
Published 30
times a year by Athletics International Ltd, 13 Garden Court, Marsh Lane,
Stanmore, Middx HA7 4TE, UK. Fax no: 020 8954 7497; abroad (44) 20 8954 7497.
Annual
subscription: UK £70, rest of Europe £80 or 140 euro, outside Europe £95 or
$160
e-mail version
£60 ($100, 100 euro) anywhere
(cash or cheques
drawn on UK bank, payable to Athletics International Ltd).
DWAIN CHAMBERS HAS AMAZING PATIENCE 29-07-03
We all change our minds about people
and I haven't always been a great fan of Dwain Chambers'
personality. But after seeing him a couple of times
on Sunday he was truly amazing with the fans and
brilliant for the sport.
The first sight was after explaining
to my brother Mike that I wasn't a pervert when
I took my camera with me to the toilet at the AAAs
- it was so I could sneak outside and look for any
stars lurking about. I found him patiently signing
autographs for dozens of people and posing for photos.
No doubt he watched the exciting
200 & 400 metres in between, but an hour or
so later we met him again filling the same role
and he hung around for at least half an hour. Although
he didn't look hugely excited he never once refused
to sign an autograph or pose for a photo.
Its the accessibility of the athletes
that re-convinces me that my sport is the best!
ANNOUNCING AN ART 29-07-03
The man who emailed me my Athletics
International a few minutes ago, Peter Matthews,
is man who never ceases to amaze me.
I believe that, in between all his
stats work and his TV commentaries, he has been
announcing at major athletics meetings for more
than 30 years. He has a rare art, certainly
these days, of providing stacks of information but
knowing when to be quiet. With such an informative
announcer spectators can enjoy field events in particular
much more than on TV.
SALFORD TRIATHLON
At least three Manx athletes competed
in this event on Sunday I discovered whilst looking
for Neville Jewell's result.
Graham Stigant used all his Commonwealth
Games swimming experience to finish an amazing 4th
fastest of all age categories in the swim.
The following analysis is my own
and includes a ranking of the times out of the 556
starters. All three athletes were in the male 40-49
category.
Pos
Cat Pos
First Name
Surname
Swim
Rank
Bike
Rank
Run
Rank
Total
43
9
Graham
Stigant
00:20:57.50
4
01:13:28.70
63
00:41:35.70
126
02:16:01.90
110
30
Neville
Jewell
00:26:09.65
143
01:16:45.15
138
00:41:11.95
120
02:24:06.75
287
70
David
Maddrell
00:33:32.00
421
01:20:10.15
241
00:45:29.40
251
02:39:11.55
KEITH GERRARD AT STRETFORD TONIGHT 29-07-03
Chris Quine advises that Keith Gerrard
is running 3,000 metres at Stretford tonight and
is hoping to get the result to me later.
RACE WALKING ON THE TRACK AT 6.15 PM ON THURSDAY
STEVE TAYLOR PROVIDES THE PREVIEW
29-07-03
Race walking returns to the NSC
this Thursday with the third track race of the year
starting at 6.15pm. Seniors are offered an opportunity
to compete over 3km once again or step up to the
AAA championship distance of 5km. Juniors depending
on their age will also have a choice of distance
with 2 and 1km races also being staged.
The main protagonists are likely to be Peter
and Bridget Kaneen. A clerical mix-up meant that
they were unable to take part in last weeks AAA
championships held in Birmingham and will no doubt
be out to prove a point on this occasion.
Peter has shown good speed throughout the year
and has a best of 22.20 this year a time which would
have placed him third last week. However track racing
often leads to slower times than those achieved
on the road yet I feel sure he would have being
vying for the bronze medal against the very talented
Nick Ball of Steyning and Nathan Adams (Sheffield)
who has become something of a nemesis for Peter
this year. If Neil Bates chooses to race he will
no doubt be looking to improve on the 24.17 he posted
in the AAA. He has said that he was a little disappointed
with his time although it is more likely the distance
between himself and fellow juniors Adams and Ball
that would have given him greater cause for concern.
On the plus side however Neil didn't receive a single
caution in a race that saw two out of eleven athletes
disqualified. Robert Moore may well take on the
seniors once again but he has appeared sluggish
over the last few months compared to the athlete
we seen during the winter league and he have to
be at his very best to hang on to super-vet Allan
Callow who has at last returned to full fitness.
On best times Bridget could have only hoped to
finish in seventh at the AAA but has been up and
down in her races through the summer. With the pressure
off she could well set a new pb and dip under 26.00
in the process. Marie Latham hasn't raced over 5km
since the winter leagues but has set pbs at every
distance that she has raced since then. On her day
she can be on Bridget's shoulder and if both women
are up for it on Thursday a great race is in the
offing.
Emma Latham and Callum Taylor will race over
their championship distances after good performances
at 1, 2 and 5km recently. Emma is a good deal faster
on paper at 3km but in a head to head I believe
that a very close battle is on the cards and they
could push each other to new heights on Thursday.
The younger walkers have asked to race over 2km
and it will be interesting to see how they all go.
The very talented Lauren Whelan is unlikely
to be challenged and she will go off with the older
athletes and I predict will smash the current age
group record of 11.39. behind her Fay Latham and
Bronwen Kaneen will have a close battle and although
Bronwen has improved constantly throughout the year
I would tip Fay to stay ahead this time. It will
be interesting to see how the little ones fair if
they walk the longer distance. Sinead Kaneen and
Kirsty Taylor have had very close races recently
and both have broken 6.00 for 1km the first time
this year and have coped well over one mile. 2km
could be the distance they compete over during the
winter leagues so this will give the athletes a
taste of the distance and the spectators of the
battles to come.
MANX HARRIERS' STEVE TAYLOR POINTS OUT CLUB MATES
SUCCESS 28-07-03
In the recent Isle of Man Veteran tennis championships
our very own club chairman Ron Ronan picked up two
titles in the over 55's section.
He won mixed doubles with partner J. Southam
and then teamed up with Phil Bannan, the man who
set the standards for race walkers on the Isle of
Man to follow, to take the men's doubles title.
NEXT ISLAND EVENT 28-07-03
The next "on Island" event scheduled
is Round 6 (the penultimate round) of the Dave Phillips
Memorial Road Races.
I hope to be lining up but fear
that (as usual) this particularly round will be
poorly supported coming just two days before the
marathon and with a further five races in the
following seven days.
Assuming that the Dave Phillips
league remains in largely the same format next year,
I would suggest that this round is either brought
forward a week or possibly held on the Tuesday night
as this has been a very popular night when two other
rounds were held on a Tuesday rather than the traditional
Friday.
Mike Garrett currently leads the
league from John Watterson (see last week's Manx
Independent if you want to see the league tables).
Racing on 8 August gets underway
at 7 pm with signing on at the Peel Camp Site from
6.30.
FELL RUNNERS GO THEIR OWN WAY 28-07-03
Richie Stevenson thanks Margaret Lockley
We have decided to have a break from the Tuesday night
sessions as there is so many races coming up and of course a lot of people go on
their annual holidays around this time of year. We will probably start again
some time in September. Everyone involved in the sessions would like to thank
coach Margaret Lockley for giving up so much of her time to help
everyone.
LAST BIG OFF ISLAND WEEKEND FOR MOST TRACK
& FIELD ATHLETES 28-07-03
Amazingly there are six teams from
the Isle of Man competing off the Island this weekend
in track & field competition. With the restructuring
of the Northern Leagues next year this is likely
to be the last time such a situation occurs.
I welcome news before and after
the weekend from the following:
Manx Harriers
Men A
Manx Harriers
Men B
Northern
AC Men
Western
AC Men
Western
AC Women
Manx Harriers
Women
I heard that some of the matches
may be held on Sunday (and not Saturday) although
the official IOMAA fixture list includes them al
on Saturday.
CONFIRMATION THAT JOHN KEWLEY IS RUNNING FOR
THE ISLE OF MAN
by Richie Stevenson
27-07-03 (I've only
picked this up after the event)
I`m delighted to say that we will have a full
compliment of runners on the line at Snowdon tomorrow ( Saturday ) After reading
the item on John Kewleys excellent performance at the Saunders Mountain Marathon
I gave him a ring and he has agreed to travel to Llanberis from his Shefield
home to run for the Isle of Man team. It is very good of him to help us out at
such short notice and I hope he enjoys a good run.
WHY JAMIE BAULCH FAILED TO QUALIFY 27-07-03
Stuart Storey reported that
"Jamie Baulch had all the big names inside
him".
WHY ATHLETES SLOW AS THEY GET OLDER 27-07-03
According to one Yorkshire walker
(who did not want to be named) the track gets longer
as you get older!
FELL RUN TRAINING 26-07-03
There will be a training run over the Laxey
Horseshoe course this coming Sunday 27th July. It will be at a steady pace and
the ideal opportunity to recce the course especially anyone who did not do it
last year. Meet at Glen Ruy farm at 9.00am.
PHIL MACKIE DEFENDS HANDICAPPING IN THE DAVE
PHILLIPS MEMORIAL ROAD RACES 25-07-03
I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT I HAVE READ.
PLEASE TELL ME THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL NOT UNDERSTANDING
THE RULE FOR FIRST TIME RUNNERS.
IF YOUR ATTITUDE IS NOT TO COVER THE EVENT NEXT
YEAR, THEN YOU HAVE JUST LOST A VIEWER TO YOUR WEBSITE.
DO YOU THINK IT IS FAIR THAT SOMEONE WORKS HARD
BETWEEN RACES AND IMPROVES THEIR TIME AND SHOULD
WIN THE RACE, IF THEY ARE BEATEN BY SOME WHO CLAIMS
TO BE ABLE TO RUN 30 MINS FOR 4 MILES AND ACTUALLY
RUNS 25 MINS !!!!
HOW FAIR WOULD THAT BE AND HOW BAD WOULD
THE RUNNER FEEL AFTER PUTTING IN SOME HARD SESSIONS
TO THEN BE BEATEN 'UNFAIRLY'.
How about coming up with a better idea.
I don't hear anybody doing that.
A BETTER IDEA 25-07-03
It has been suggested many times
before: let the first time runner enjoy his or her
moment of glory and stiffen their handicap next
time around. The model: Ramsey.
The future of the sport will always
be determined by the people outside at present.
The first impressions of someone entering a race
for the first time will be vital and I say
let them have their proud moment and picture in
the paper. Instead no one gets their picture in
the paper anymore because the photographers haven't
a clue who has won the race anymore.
There can't be many sports where
you have to wait several days to find out who has
won.
Manx
Success on Lakeland Fells 25-07-03
Reigning World
Marathon Orienteering Trophy holder John Kewley
from Onchan has won the Elite class at the Saunders
Lakeland Mountain Marathon. John was partnered by
Brendan Bolland (2nd in last year's Karrimor) from
Horwich RMI.
Run over two days,
"The Saunders" is a Marathon Orienteering
event for teams of 2 carrying all the equipment
needed for their overnight camp. This is the same
format as the Karrimor which John won in 1995.
This year's event
was held over the Helvellyn fells from St Johns
in the Vale. After 5 hours and 55 minutes in misty
conditions on day 1, John and Brendan held a 20
minute lead at the overnight camp in Glenridding.
Day two was shorter and losing only 19s to the 2nd
placed team arrived at the finish with a clear advantage
in 3 hours and 22 minutes. Course distances were
around 26 miles and 19 miles.
Currently living
in Sheffield, John is now in heavy training for
his defense of the Mammut International Mountain
Marathon in Switzerland in mid-August which he won
last year with his World Trophy partner Ifor Powell.
RAMSEY PARK RUNS TONIGHT 25-07-03
Don't forget it's the final chance
to run in this series tonight. Sign on at the cafe
at 6.30 pm for a 7 pm start. There are 4 mile and
two mile versions of this popular race series. THe
prize presentation for this Ramsey Commissions sponsored
event will be immediately after the race.
PEEL FARCE CONTINUES 25-07-03
As predicted, David Doyle, who "won"
the Peel handicap four miler last week was moved
down the field afterwards. His crime (bad word for
a deemster!) was presumably that he tried too hard.
He was moved down to 16th because he beat his handicap.
What would have happened had he
deliberately slowed down and finished (say) 10th?
Would this have been acceptable? Or if he had run
30 seconds faster than he did would they have added
even more time to his handicap?
Meanwhile, two people who hadn't
run since the first race were given crazy handicaps
of the opposite extreme and took first and second
places with no adjustment. Fine if you are trying
to encourage people but it's the first time runners
who need the encouragement and they are being slaughtered
by this crazy system.
This is the final year this website
will provide coverage of the series if the present
farce continues.
HECTIC WEEK FOR ME 25-07-03
Well its been a traumatic week for
our family with my Mother spending another week
in hospital and consideration given to her not being
allowed back home. Thankfully I am taking her home
today but it involves me making an exceptionally
early start at work to achieve everything and the
road closures for cycle week caused a good dealing
of swearing last night when the plans had to be
adjusted.
If I haven't returned your email
this week, please be patient as I have another hectic
schedule tonight before going away this weekend.
INTERESTING 1500 METRES
Last night's race was one of the
more interesting track races of the year with Keith
Gerrard setting out for a fast time and blasting
to a 61 second first lap. His little legs were tiring
(don't we all) and he didn't quite manage the sort
of time he was looking for but it took some guts
to run so hard from the front in that style.
Although I don't have the result,
the other features I remember whilst I was taking
pictures were Chris Shimmin giving Darren Gray and
Andy Fox a good fight and I think Nick Percival
and Mike Garrett were 5th and 6th (have I missed
anyone?).
Well done to Andy Fox (yet again)
for pulling the best runners into a single event.
PETER & BRIDGET KANEEN ENTERED FOR
THE AAA CHAMPS
In addition to Neil Bates and Martin
Aram competing in Birmingham this weekend, Manx
Harriers walkers Bridget and Peter Kaneen are both
entered. Thanks to Neil and also to Dennis Aram
for advising me.
NEVILLE JEWELL COMPETES ON COMMONWEALTH GAMES
COURSE 24-07-03
Neville
Jewell is off to Salford this weekend to compete
in an Olympic distance triathlon on the Commonwealth
Games course. It consists of a 1500m swim, 40km bike,
10km run.
Neville
is enjoying his Wednesday night training with Mike
Garrett, Paul Curphey and myself and he has taken
over a reply to a question that Paul used he have
several years ago. When I ask "was that the
hardest session you've ever done" the answer
is always "definitely". Obviously enjoys
his training!
TONY ROWLEY GETTING BACK TO FORM 24-07-03
After loosing much of the last year
to injury, former fell running champion Tony Rowley
ended up back where he was at the same point last
year in the Sean Craig & Sons Barrule Fell Race
- third.
Tony underwent surgery for his knee
a few months ago and he seems to be recovering really
well. He never stops working freely for the sport
and in addition his paid employment is working for
the sport at the NSC.
On Tuesday night I saw him erecting
road and removing road warning signs before and
after the fell race. Last night he was encouraging
our training group in the early evening at the NSC
and then he was on duty during the Manx Harriers
final track & field meeting of the year. In
other words he was everywhere!
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
23-07-03
High jumper Martin Aram has two
tickets (good seats) for all three days (Friday
evening, Saturday and Sunday - including car park
pass) for the AAA Championships and World Trials
this coming weekend in Birmingham. If anyone is
interested in them, they can contact Martin on 436342.
Martin, together with walker Neil
Bates, will be competing on Saturday.
Does anyone know of any other athletes
from the Isle of Man taking part?
I shall be attending on Sunday (and
possibly Saturday) with son Robbie and my brother
Mike. More details of the website coverage tomorrow.
DO YOU PUT ENOUGH BACK INTO THE SPORT?
23-07-03
Many people who read this site will
not need to think too long about the above question
as they probably put more than could ever reasonably
be expected back into the sport.
But perhaps there are a few people
who think that by paying a couple of quid to enter
a race they are paying their way.
Take note of Richie Stevenson's
comments below. How long will it be before an event
with a good field of athletes is cancelled because
there aren't enough officials.
A bit of sole searching may be required
here. Even if we put on the marshals bibs a couple
of times a year it would help.
Meanwhile the clubs must think harder
and harder about the number of events they promote.
Its no good complaining about lack of officials
when the helpers are stretched so thinly across
so many events.
It really is time for the fixtures
to be decided after starting with a blank sheet
of paper (as I hoped to do for 1992 but failed miserably).
Start with the development plan, decide
what events we need to meet all the objectives and
then decide which we have the resources (financial
and human) to organise.
SEAN CRAIG & SONS NORTH BARRULE FELL RACE
22-07-03
Richie Stevenson reports
1. Ian
Gale 37.11
2. Brian.Osbourne 37.13
3. Tony
Rowley 40.26
4. Steve
Partington 41.02
5. Allan
Corran 41.36
6. Cliffie
Keyes 42.27
7. Tony
Okell 42.29
8. Phil
Crowe 43.17
9. Rob Webb
43.29
10 Dave
Corrin 44.02
11. Bernie Cannan 44.57
12. Alan Bagley 46.33
13. Rose Hooten 46.56 1st
lady
14. Ian
Collister 47.12
15. Allan Thompson 48.27
16. Richie Stevenson 48.31
17. Stuart Temple 48.45
18.
Robbie Callister 49.22
19. Paul Jackson 49.43
20. John Robertson 50.31
Prestatyn
21. Les Brown 51.08
22. Peter Simpson 51.52
23. J
Symes 52.41
24. Christine Barwell 52.59 2nd
lady
25. Laurence Dyer 55.58
A quite superb race between Ian
Gale and Ozzie Osbourne with the Onion just hanging on to win by a few seconds.
It must have been some sight to see them bouncing their way through Elfin
Glen in the closing stages. It was very tricky through the glen as the path has
been washed away by all the Winter rain and it took a fair amount of bottle to
descend through it at any sort of pace. I must admit I was surprised to see the
Onion and Ozzie running as they are both due to run at Snowdon on Saturday and
even more suprised to see Tony Okell in the line up after he withdrew from the
trip.
It was great to see Tony Rowley
back in action and running so well. As most people know Tony is on the road back
to fitness after his knee operation and I think he would be pleasantly suprised
at the way he ran gaining a good third place after a close battle with
Partie.
. Another to run particularly
well was Allan Corran in 5th place one of his best results yet and one he
deserves as he is a great supporter of athletics wether it be fells or road. The
top six was completed by Cliff Keyes who has got a lot of talent and I am sure
could gain even better results if he decided to have a really good
go.
Rose took the female award
finishing in the top half of the field despite twisting her ankle in good style
in Elfin Glen and she was followed home by the ever improving Christine
Barwell.
Many thanks to sponsors Sean
Craig and sons for their continued support of our races. Also a big thank you to
everyone who helped on the night. For a while we had nowhere near enough
marshals and I thought we might have to actually call the race off but luckily
enough people came forward to save the day. It would be nice if some runners who
are not competing would put a bit back into the sport by giving a hand with the
marshalling or is that too much to expect these days?
1500 metres time change 22-07-03
The 1500 metres at the NSC on
Wednesday 23 July is at 9 pm.
The 1500 metres
at the NSC on Wednesday 23 July is at 9 pm.
The 1500
metres at the NSC on Wednesday 23 July is at 9 pm.
The 1500
metres at the NSC on Wednesday 23 July is at 9 pm.
The 1500
metres at the NSC on Wednesday 23 July is at 9 pm.
TONY OKELL TO MISS SNOWDON 22-07-03
Richie Stevenson reports that Tony
will miss the big fell race due to an ongoing injury
problem. It is hoped that Tony will be replaced
in the Manx team but with only three to count (four
allowed to run) its not essential. Further update
on this story later in the week.
INJURED WARMING DOWN 22-07-03
I spoke to Dave Maddrell at the
Dave Phillips Memorial runs at Peel at Friday night.
He has taken part in this series and the Ramsey
Park Runs on occasions this year as part of his triathlon
preparations. He had to miss last Friday's event
however after injuring himself warming down after
his recent triathlon at Trentham Gardens, Stoke
on Trent.
Hopefully Dave will be in action
again very soon.
1500 METRES CLASH TOMORROW NIGHT 22-07-03
Don't forget the big 1500 metres,
open to all but most of the top track athletes are
expected to take part, at the NSC tomorrow (Wednesday).
Sign on at 7.45 for an 8 pm start.
ELLAN VANNIN - THE EARLY YEARS 21-07-03
One of two contributions to the
site I've had from Ian Callister recently are the
winners for the very first three races in the Ellan
Vannin event.
If you've not had a chance to try
out the Ramsey Commissioners sponsored handicap
series (approximately 4 miles and 2 miles) then
its well worth a trip to Ramsey on Friday evening.
Its the last one in the series.
11 WEEKS TO THE CROSS COUNTRY SEASON 20-07-03
Has anyone else noticed that there
are just 11 weeks to go until the Manx Gas Cross
Country League starts?
This was one of the most improved
parts of the Manx athletics scene last winter and
I'm convinced that organiser Graham Davies (on behalf
of the Isle of Man AA) will not allow it to stand
still this winter. I'm sure we can get more children
from the schools taking part and more of the club
and fun runners. Start spreading the word now!
RECORD TIMES EXPECTED ON TUESDAY 20-07-03
According to Peter McElroy in last
week's Manx Independent, we can expect record times
on Tuesday night. Steve Partington pointed out that
he said Barrule Fell Race will start and finish
at Ramsey Hairpin at 7 pm!
LIMITED NEWS TODAY 19-07-03
Although my day started at 5.15
am (only a couple of hours after Steve Partington
delivering the milk in Ramsey!), it was a demanding
schedule that allowed little time for the website.
Then I learnt that my Mother had been taken ill
again. So instead of training this afternoon
with Paul Curphey and Mike Garrett I was waiting
for the ambulance to arrive at my Mum's sheltered
housing at Kirk Michael for the second time in a
couple of months.
Hopefully she won't be in the new
Nobles Hospital for too long. I guess it's the sort
of phase everyone goes through but I seem to know
an awful of people in hospital at the moment.
I only mention this as it obviously
impacts on my time to compile the site but I know
of lots of other people who have family illnesses
and bereavements as distractions in the past twelve
months and sometimes their dip in form is not explained.
4 MANX CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2 DAYS 19-07-03
Whilst I was talking to Andy Fox
at Peel last night (discussing the difficulty of
racing the 5.000 and 10,000 metres in two days in
the Bank of Bermuda Manx Championships on 23/24
August), he recalled the time in 1991 when he won
the 4 titles in 2 days and that didn't include his
speciality event, the 3,000 metres steeplechase.
He won the 800, 1500, 5000 &
10,000 metres in around 28 hours!
SNOWDON JUST 7 DAYS AWAY
Richie Stevenson reports 19-07-03
The classic Snowdon International Hill Race takes
place next Saturday and our lads will be in amongst a really top class entry.
Last years winner Tim Davies is one of the favourites as is Ian Holmes who was
second last year and who is the current English champion. The main threat from
the continent is any one of a strong team of Italians entered,
although Fabrizio Truili, who finished in third place in 2002 just over one
minute behind the winner is obviously the one to watch.
The Italians are the
only team to enter from the continent this year although there are individuals
from France, Belgium, Poland and Spain entered as well as a smattering from
different parts of the world including the USA and Australia. As well as the
foriegn entry the Manx team will take on teams from Eire, England ( A and B
), Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales ( again A and B ). Our team really are
up against it but the experience can only do them good and help improve our
standards further. It also raises the profile of Isle of Man fell running and
indeed Manx athletics in general. I know for a fact that the powers that be
across the wet bit do notice and welcome our participation and it can only
help us to attain our target of, hopefully, entering a Manx team in the World
Championships which are expected to be held in England in 2004.
The Isle of Man team is Ian Gale, Tony Okell, Brian
Osbourne and Simon Skillicorn.
21 YEARS AGO TODAY 18-07-03
I compiled the Track & Field
special front page last night and then this morning
I realised I had forgotten to publish Tony Isaacs
list of Manx records (as defined for his publication).
So as I added them and checked the link, I realised,
by co-incidence, that it was 21 years ago today
since I set the Manx 50km Walking record in Bielefeld,
West Germany.
The strange thing was, and I think
this applies to many records, when you set them
you only imagine that they will last a few weeks
because you rarely feel you've got it right. I was
the first of the five British walkers and so escaped
the slating that the team got but 4.20 was seen
as pretty ordinary.
Certainly I am disappointed that
I never walked a 4.10 50km which my other times
suggested I was capable of. It was that sort of
time I was looking for in 1982 before I suffered
from vomiting in that German race. After all if
you can walk 4.27 on a course that includes the
climb from Ramsey to the Bungalow and still have
10km to go, then 4.20 is a poor PB to finish your
career with.
The 30km and 35km times I set were
much better (in my mind) than my 50km but Mr Partington
soon re-wrote those records.
So why has the 50km time stood so
long in one of our top disciplines in the Isle of
Man? For the past 8 years there has even been the
incentive of Commonwealth Games selection at the
distance.
I still haven't seen the qualifying
times for the next Commonwealth Games (they are
only two and half years away) so I don't know if
it will be necessary to break this record to qualify
but I do hope that someone can move this mark up
a good notch up a bit.
DAVE PHILLIPS MEMORIAL ROAD RACES ROUND
5 18-07-03
There was an improved turnout at
Peel tonight and a good atmosphere in the hot weather.
Even the start was the closest to 7 pm I've known
for a long time.
Andy Fox flew around for the fastest
time of the night and the series (unofficially 20.12)
while Mike Garrett made a big improvement to clock
21.22.
Bernie Cannan beat me in the first
round of the series by 4 seconds and a couple of
weeks later when he saw me training I shouted "I'm
trying to find those 4 seconds". Well I still
haven't found them - he beat me on unofficial actual
times of 22.04 to 22.08. Paul Curphey was around
22.19.
Andy Fox started 20 seconds ahead
of Mike Garrett and myself as he was judged to be
a slower runner, while Bernie Cannan started 3 minutes
and 20 seconds ahead despite the aforementioned
4 second stuffing in our previous encounter. I'm
just going to reach out for the old Who record "I
can't explain".
BEST NEWS IN A LONG TIME 18-07-03
I was delighted to learn yesterday
that Northern AC member Martyn Strickett is back
at work at King Williams College after spending
several months in hospital in Liverpool.
I understand from his club mate
Jonathan Leece that his high body temperatures are
being controlled by medication but the cause of
his illness is still unknown.
Although, obviously, all his family
and friends will be hoping the medical team can
finally get to the bottom of his illness, I view
the progress he has made as one of the best pieces
of news I've been able to publish on this website
for a long time.
I met Jonathan yesterday when by
chance we shared a table at a lunch. Hopefully I
have persuaded him to provide the site with regular
reports from Northern AC's events. He also tells
me he has some firm views on the sport in the Island
which he would like to share with us. I look forward
to publishing these.
START TIMES 18-07-03
One of the traditions of Manx athletics
which has not been maintained so much in recent
years is that events start much later than advertised!
There are one or two events that stick to this tradition
but in general events are much better organised
than they used to be.
Having rushed like mad to make it
to the start of last night's St Johns 10km Walk
so that I could get a picture of the start at the
advertised 7 pm, it was a bit disappointing that
the event did not actually start until 7.30 and,
to fit in with other commitments planned around
the advertised time, I had to leave before the end.
I think this does act as a deterrent
to some athletes who plan their sport around their
work and families and it athletes also plan their
food and drinks around an advertised start time.
I received an email from Pete Mulholland overnight
as he was trying to obtain the results of the Western
10 for his website www.veterans10mile.org.uk
Check it out if you are interested
in veterans athletics.
MARTIN
MAINTAINS LEAD IN UK ATHLETICS DOMESTIC SERIES
After
four rounds of the UK Athletics Domestic Series competitions, AON Under 21
Sportsman of the Year, Martin Aram, has maintained his lead in the mens high
jump event.
The
NatWest Island Games record breaker was leading after the first two rounds,
having scored 15 points out of a possible 16, with Mark Crowley in second place
on 13.
The
combined results from the regional championships formed the third round of the
series.Although most of these
competitions took place in June, it was necessary to wait until last Saturday
for the Scottish championships before the points could be calculated.With other athletes not performing as well as
him in their own regional events, Martins lead
increased.
The
fourth event in the series was the AAA Under 23 Championships at the end of
June, which the Britannia International Melbourne Squad member had to miss to
enable him to compete in the Island Games.This left the possibility of one of his rivals getting ahead of him.However, with the way the honours were
distributed this time, that didnt happen.
Although
the official rankings have not yet been published, it is calculated that Martin
now leads the series with 22 points, with Mark Crowley again in second place on
20.
The
next round is a televised event, the AAA Senior Championships in Birmingham on
26th July, with double points in the series up for
grabs.
Im a bit surprised to be leading the series,
particularly at this stage, said the Manx Sports Aid recipient, but its a
nice feeling all the same!The key thing
is consistency.Ive cleared 2.10 metres
in all the three events that Ive contested, whereas the other athletes have
been more erratic.Im looking forward
to the AAAs.After the excitement and
atmosphere of the Island Games, I need a big competition to get motivated and
Ive still got personal targets I would like to achieve before the end of the
season.
END TO END SETS THE STANDARD 16-07-03
I've been roped into providing the
results service for the White & Healthy End
to End Walk on 28 September and joined the organising
committee at the NSC last night for a quick meeting.
I was very impressed to learn that
Judy King acknowledges every entry by post. A
question a lot of people ask me when the enter events
in advance is "how do I know that my entry
has been accepted". One way is to publish
the up to date entries online; the other is acknowledge
them personally. Either way, it is the standard
that others should emulate.
The organisers have will have a
phone installed at the finish courtesy of Manx Telecom
and times from Peel will be faxed to the Sound.
I aim to publish the results as they happen online
from the Sound updated every 15-20 minutes.
Its the second year that the event
has been held on the new West coast route and a
massive entry is expected.
CHRISTINE IMPROVES BY 6 MINUTES 16-07-03
It was perfect race
conditions at 7am for the start of the Bournemouth International Triathlon on 6th
July 2003.Western AC's Christine
Barwell competed the event, her second Olympic Distance Triathlon.Christine started well in the 1500m sea swim
exiting the first transition in a time of 29.54, 7th in her age
group.The bike leg consisted of one lap
of an undulating 40km course and the final leg was the 10km run on a flat 'out
and back' course, by this stage in the competition the heat of the day was
beginning to take its toll on many of the athletes, however she was pleased
with her run time of just under 56 minutes, which is over 6 minutes faster than
at last year's Newcastle Triathlon.Christine was thrilled with her time of 2.41.02, 70th overall
and 10th in her age group.
I
was told I was not allowed to print any scary photos
of Christine!
STEVE TAYLOR'S FULL REPORT FROM DUBLIN 15-07-03
A party of 20 Manx Harriers
athletes, officials and supporters travelled to Dublin last weekend for the
13th Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking held in Phoenix Park.
The road
surface used in the park had been recently resurfaced and remeasured for the
Special Olympics held in the city last month and with unseasonal Mediterranean
type weather greeting the athletes a day of hot action was definitely in store
for the crowds who had gathered to watch.
First
race to start was the 50km where athletes were attempting to gain qualifying
times for the World Championships in Paris later this year and next years
Olympics. This meant that a fast pace was in the offing and Dennis Trautmann
(GER) lead the field in a blistering early pace with the whole field on sub
4hour 10 minute pace during the first 5km. This race continued throughout the
day with all other races held alongside it. During the course of the race the
pace and the heat took its toll and it was left to Spain's David Sanchez Ferrer
to take the honours in 4.01.58 after reaching halfway in 1.58.57, in 7th
position. Only 5 of the 13 starters completed the
distance.
The
first Manxies to take part were Dougie Corkill, Maureen Cox and Steve Taylor who
were asked to take up official positions as judges for all of the junior races.
Having received their instructions they took their places for the under 13 girls
1km which featured Fay Latham, Sinead and Bronwen Kaneen. Sinead and Fay are
both under 11 and only found out that they were racing last Thursday but that
didnt stop them putting in terrific performances. Up against Kathryn Grainger
of Sheffield arguably the best for her age in the country a very fast pace was
set as she soon built up an unassailable lead that was 30 seconds at the finish.
The Manx girls were out of the medals by half way but gutsy performances by all
three meant that each was rewarded with a pb. A special mention must go to
Sinead who at only 7 years old smashed through the 6 minute barrier for the
first time.
We had
no representation in the under 11 boys so next up were our under 13 girls racing
over 2km in which Emma Latham had been selected for the England team. Fast
starts had obviously been deemed the order of the day and the immensely talented
Rebecca Mersh of Sheffield stretched the whole field out from the gun and won
the race at her leisure in a new course record of 9.18. Emma and Ciara Kaneen
started at a good pace but still found themselves wanting after 500m. However
they both stuck to the task in hand in a great battle with Lauren Gimson of
Leicester Emma took revenge for her Steam Packet defeat and raced to a new Manx
record of 10.09 beating her own previous best by 53 seconds. Ciara who trailed
at the back at half way clawed her way into the pack and was unlucky not to
finish higher as she to smashed her own pb.
Callum
Taylor was our man in the under 15 boys 2km and found himself up against the
Nuneaton trio of Lewis Hayden and the Hambridge twins who have swept all before
them over the last year in this age group. Today was not likely to be any
different as these three along with Jack Tomlin of Dartford (who must be 6 feet
tall) hared off leaving everyone else in their wake. Callum was left isolated
but walked steadily but surely picking up favourable comments for his technique
along the way and was rewarded with a pb and new Manx
record.
Robert
Moore was also selected to be part of the England team and started in determined
fashion. Like all Manx athletes he too found himself off the pace with the race
being won in superb fashion by Nick Ball of Steyning. Robert seemingly
struggling with the ever increasing temperature was spurred on by the vocal
support of both his Manx and English team mates and not to be out done by the
other Manx youth also set a new pb.