REPORT BY STEVE TAYLOR

After a weekend of coaching courtesy of National Performance Coach Martin Rush and a judging seminar delivered by and IAAF walking judge Peter Marlow it was down to business for athletes on Sunday morning as round 5 of the Halifax/Bank of Scotland winter race walking league beckoned. It was a return to Andreas using the same flat one mile loop as in the second round. As before good weather was the order of the day although onlookers complained about the light but very chilly northern wind.

First away was the combined 1 and 2km junior races. As with the majority of the junior races this winter it was Lauren Whelan who lead from gun to tape with a superb technique that not only caught the attention of but also greatly impressed both Rush and Marlow. Her efforts also gave her a win on handicap ahead of her rivals who both appeared below par on the day.

The 1km handicap was won by Abbi Moore making a welcome return to walking and showing that she had lost none of her speed or gritty determination, whilst the honour of fastest went again to Sinead Kaneen.

The biggest 5km field of the series so far was won by a clear margin by Adrian Cowin who improved his best time yet again to claim his first win. Behind him the next five walkers closed in within 28 seconds with Neil Bates just pipping Enid Watson on the line for second. Callum Taylor and Emma Latham walking the majority of the race together consolidated their recent 5km performances with another sound display just outside their best times but were split on the road by Robert Moore retuning after a lay off through illness.

The fast flat course was put to good use in the main event with the first 11 finishers on the road all recording best times for the series so far but it was Dot Watterson who lead the field home by over a minute for a very popular win. Mark Stewart was also clear in second place ahead of a delighted Brenda Charlton in third. Dave Griffiths who pulled out of the last race having failed to warm up properly more than made up for it today with a new personal best of 53.17. Gill Churcher walked a solid race, her first ever over 10km, normally she would cover more than 100 times this distance as a Parish Walk regular. Jane Leece and Andrew Gosnell improved yet again but no one could mach the joy of Marie Latham who was over the moon with her new pb breaking through 55.00 for the first time ever. Initially walking with Ian Callister and Sean Hands she blew away her rivals leaving Ian to struggle home almost five minutes behind whilst Sean was forced to retire. Peter Kaneen was fastest of the day with a solid 45.53. Peter is concentrating on distance work this winter in preparation for an early season 50km but must be very happy with his turn of speed.

Martin Rush spoke after the event saying that walking had a healthy future as long as clubs such as Manx Harriers continued to support its athletes as is does. This was proven to be so true when the results were read out with the competitors cheering each other when they knew that a personal best had been achieved.

Many thanks to Ayre United Football Club for the use of their facilities and of course to the hard working officials who made the event possible.

 The next race in the league will be held on February 15^th and not the 8^th as previous advertised which is now the date of the Island cross country championships.

We were also asked to keep March 12^th free as the veteran ladies are staging another fundraiser for our young athletes. This year it will be a disco with buffet, there will also be a quiz on the night.

Those athletes who fancy testing themselves against some of the best that Britain and Ireland have to offer should get their entries in for the Manx Harriers Invitation Walk to be held on Saturday 28^th February on the NSC road way. There are 50km, 20km and 10km races as well as a one mile event for juniors. The entry form can be downloaded from www.manxathletics.com (see bottom of this page) or by contacting Bridget Kaneen at [email protected]

Gill Churcher leads Enid Watson and Jan Hodgson (hidden)

Second fastest on the day was Kevin Walmsley

As we all walked back to Ayre Utd clubhouse after the Bank Of Scotland International Winter League race last week, I asked Peter Marlow and Martin Rush (the highly respected race walking officials who were visiting the islland) what they thought of the standard of walking techniques that they had seen. They were especially impressed by Lauren Whelen in the juniors and Kevin Walmsley in the seniors. Kevin was walking alongside and they both commented on what a natural, safe and efficient technique he had.

Peter said it was just like watching the Italian '95 World Champs 50km silver medalist Giovanni Perricelli (only slower presumably!).

I asked for a photo of Kevin with Peter after which, Peter said to Kevin 'I look forward to seeing you in Melbourne - you've got 18 months'.