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FELL RUNNING AT MANXATHLETICS.COM

St Johns Fell Race

3 miles

900 feet of ascent

Category A (short)

Starts St Johns Football Club

Normally held on New Years Day

Sponsored by Super Cards

Gale beats wind and top class field

The 2004 Managrakem Fell League got off to a great start yesterday out at St Johns with 53 hardy soles lining up for the annual race to the summit of Slieauwhallian and back, writes Richie Stevenson.

We were a little disappointed with the entry as it has been close to 60 for the last few years but nonetheless the Supercards sponsored race remains one of the best supported runs in the local athletics season.

As usual the atmosphere was excellent with the large number of spectators who lined both sides of the lane at the water splash at Mullen Y Cloie contributing a great deal to this as they cheered every single runner through although I`m led to believe they were a bit disappointed only one runner went under.

The Onion really produced a superb performance winning in a super fast time of exactly 24 minutes, no doubt helped by the pressure Christian Varley put him under on the long ascent. Christian is of course the son of former fell champion turned cyclist Tony Varley and a great prospect on two wheels. He clearly showed he would be a force to be reckoned with if he turned to running and would probably have finished higher than his eventual 9th place if he had not obeyed his fathers strict pre-race instructions to take it easy on the descent.Ozzie looked to be right out of contention as the leaders passed me coming back from the top ( I was still quite a way from the summit turn ) He must have really gone for it on the return leg as he pulled back to a good second place, getting the better of third placed Simon Skillicorn on the steep plantation track after a bit of a coming together on the narrow paths.

Northern Andy Cannell also produced a quite superb run in what I think was his first outing on the fells. He is obviously in fine form at the moment and it would be great to see him have a go at a few more of our races. Rose Hooton took advantage of Cal Partingtons absence by taking the females title and very nearly got under 30 minutes for the first time. She was followed home by the ever improving Christine Barwel and Bridget Kanneen who did well to finish the race as she was suffering with a wonky tummy ( nothing to do with the previous night of course).

The performances that impressed me most of all were put up by the 5 juniors who tackled the 3 miles course. Although this race is by no means one of the more difficult in the Managrakem league it is still a tough test, especially when you have to battle a very strong wind on the ridge run up to the summit. The juniors were headed by Rachael Franklin who recorded a most impressive time with Karl Barrow, Josh Masterton, Adam Lowe and Rachael's sister Claire all putting in performances they should be proud of.

Many thanks to sponsors Supercards of Strand Street and to their representative Elaine Parkinson for presenting the awards. Also a big thank you to all the officials who helped on the day, especially those standing out in the freezing cold wind. I think I can speak for all the local race organisers when I say what a pleasure it was to have people phoning me before race day and approaching me out at St Johns with offers of help if it was needed. Thanks to them all as it was very much appreciated. Finally thanks to St Johns Football Club and Brian Leece in particular for allowing us to use their excellent new changing rooms and facilities.

Over £150 was taken in entry fees which will be passed on to Crossroads Junior Carers Project.

Ian Gale (25) has Christian Varley (19) and Andy Cannell for company on the ascent (picture by Murray Lambden)

But at the summit he is on his own (Picture by Stan Hall)

Experienced fell runners know how to judge the pace and Brian Osbourne (15) and Simon Skillicorn (26) did just that to take second and third places (ML)

But Andy Cannell held on for fourth place (SH)

Top junior Rachael Franklin with sponsor Elaine Parkinson of Super Cards (ML)

1. 25 Ian Gale	MFR	24.00 1^st vet 40
2. 15 Brian Osbourne	MFR	24.25 2^nd vet 40
3. 26 Simon Skillicorn	MFR	24.36
4. 24 Andy Cannell	NAC	25.01
5. 35 Keith Calister	MH	25.39 3^rd vet 40
6. 34 Mike Quine		25.43
7. 29 Steve Partington	MH	26.13
8. 38 Dave Young	MFR	26.20 1^st vet 50
9. 19 Christian Varley		26.23
10. 7 Graham Stigant	IOM Vets	28.04
11. 16 Mark Preston	MH	28.10
12. 40 Phil Mackie	WAC	28.35
13. 28 Tony Rowley	MFR	28.45
14. 21 Dave Corrin	MH	29.31 2^nd vet 50
15. 23 Rose Hooton	MFR	30.02 1^st lady
16. 8 Andy Gosland		30.06
17. 9 Allan Postlethwaite	NAC	30.14 3^rd vet 50
18. 6 Peter Cooper	IOM Vets	30.57
19. 20 Ian Ronan	MFR	31.15
20. 47 Mathew Kelly	NAC	31.35
21. 30 Allan Corkill	MH	31.40
22. 17 Ken Watterson	MFR	31.42
23. 2 Paul Trees	IOM Vets	31.45
24. 33 Stuart Temple	MFR	31.53
25. 4 Christine Barwell	WAC	32.41 2^nd lady
26. 31 Richie Stevenson	MFR	32.50
27. 14 Andy Page		32.57
28. 46 Steve Kelly	NAC	33.46
29. 1 Kevin Martin	NAC	33.48
30. 13 Jamie Flemming		33.56
31. 10 Bernie Cannan	NAC	34.01
32. 5 Laurence Dyer	NAC	34.44
33. 42 Nick Brew	NAC	35.23
34. 27 Norman Quayle		35.51
35. 43 Bridget Kaneen	MH	36.07 3^rd lady
36. 3 Kevin Groom		36.19
37. 32 Dave Barrow		36.23
38. 12 Ian Crawford	IOM Vets	36.24
39. 70 Rachael Franklin	St Ninians	36.37 1^st junior girl
40. 73 Karl Barrow		36.57 1^st junior boy
41. 48 Ian Watson	NAC	37.06
42. 72 Josh Masterton	MH	37.11 2^nd junior boy
43. 37 Peter Quine		37.36
44. 44 Duncan Jude		37.40
45. 11 Allan Pilling	IOM Vets	37.56

46. 39 Michelle Kewley	WAC	38.56
47. 22 Brian Cowley	MH	39.07
48. 74 Adam Lowe		39.07 3rd junior boy
49. 45 Keith Lowe	MFR	40.38
50. 18 Korbi Wintermeier	Germany	40.53
51. 36 David Quine	MFR	40.58
52. 41 Eddie Brew	NAC	40.59 1st vet 60
53. 71 Claire Franklin	St Ninians	46.40 2ND junior girl

THANKS TO RICHIE STEVENSON FOR SUPPLYING THE RESULTS

(especially for the nice table format and race numbers)

Former winner Keith Callister used all his experience to clinch a well judged 5th place (picture by Murray Lambden)

Mike Quine is 6th place could be the man to watch in 2004 (ML)

Dave Young has no time to enjoy the view on his descent. His view is that of 19 year old Christian Varley who he eventually beat by 3 seconds.

Rose Hooton won the women's race. She is pictured with men's winner Ian Gale after the race (ML)

Stan Hall was actually first to the summit - with his camera! Here is another of his pictures of comeback man Ian Crawford and Laurence Dyer.