20 runners took part in this morning’s Northern 10. This was much improved on recent years but still less than half the number in the previous week’s Isle of Man Bank sponsored Peel to Douglas run.

Bernie Cannan (51), Peter Hughes (65) and Paul Curphey (57). Brian Osbourne was just out of picture.

Why? Well the poor publicity did not help. Neither did the timing – only 7 days after the Peel to Douglas with a Fell Race and a 4 Mile Road Race sandwiched in between. And perhaps some people will never be attracted to this event in the same way as the classic Peel to Douglas.

Bernie Cannan took the lead in the first mile and stayed there till the end. Sounds like a boring race? Far from it. It was what I think the purists describe as an absorbing race. Although Bernie never lost the lead, he was never more than 10 seconds ahead either.

Peter Hughes started a little more aggressively than usual as the runners headed from Ballacloan Stadium in Ramsey, through Parliament Square towards Sulby Bridge, and chased hard. At first he had Paul Curphey and Brian Osbourne breathing down his neck but Brian dropped Paul and eventually daylight grew between Peter and Brian.

Peter Hughes starts to pull away from Paul Curphey and Brian Osbourne.

A second four way battle developed between Mike Garrett, Paul Trees, Terry Bates and Paul Cubbon. Alan Poslethewaite was an isolated 9th in the first 4 miles with Nigel Sinclair and Martin Bell next on the road.

Mike Garrett (56), leads Paul Cubbon (61), Terry Bates and Paul Trees (hidden). Alan Poslethwaite is in the distance.

By the feeding station just beyond the old Sulby Bridge Railway Station, Peter was on Bernie’s shoulder. But that was as close as it got. For the rest of the race it was sometimes 20 metres, sometimes 50 metres but Peter could not bridge the gap again.

As close as they got. It looked at the four mile point as if Peter would pass Bernie but it never happened. Did Northern AC impose team orders Ferrari style?

He chased him to St Judes and along the Jurby Road to the outskirts of Ramsey then out to the Grand Island Hotel, along Ramsey Promenade and into Mooragh Park. The finish was just inside the park, almost back at Ballacloan Stadium.

Meanwhile Brian and Paul remained close behind without ever causing a serious threat. But Brian missed the turn into the park and emerged at the finish in the wrong direction just after Paul had finished.

The organisers and Paul Curphey generously allowed Brian to be classified ten seconds ahead of Paul, even  though he could clearly have been disqualified for not running the exact course. Although I feel sorry for Brian, there could be absolutely no blame attached to Northern AC who had two signs at the turn. Brian, although he asked several people before the start of the race and misunderstood the instructions, could easily have jogged around the final part of the course as part of his warmup as he was clearly worried about the finish.

You could forgive Brian for not seeing this sign but not the one at the end.

Back to the second battle, for fifth place. Mike Garrett, who was determined not to start too fast as he had done in the Peel to Douglas, twice established a lead from the group but a each time Terry Bates came back to him. Paul Trees dropped off however and he was eventually passed by Alan Postlethwaite for 8th place. Paul Cubbon found himself isolated in 7th and eventually Mike made his move on Terry for 5th.

Mike dropped Terry soon after this picture.

I’ve never seen someone stop and take as much water on board in a 10 mile race as Nigel Sinclair did but despite a consequential pit stop he held on to 10th place

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Nigel Sinclair – over hydrated!

As expected Northern AC organised the race well on the day and maintained the very high standard of marshalling recently established in local races.

Given the strong winds and heavy showers, I thought the times were fairly good if unspectacular. Its good to see Bernie slowly coming back to his best and Peter Hughes gets better with every race. Provided he limits himself to one more marathon this year, it could be an extremely good one and a sub 2.45 is well on the cards. Paul Curphey last competed in the event 10 years ago.

The only woman to run was visiting athlete Barbara Allen from Northern Ireland.

Barbara Allen

If you would like to mention a creditable performance not mentioned in my report, please email [email protected]

I last ran in it 11 years ago and I hadn’t been back since even to watch until this morning.