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
15th and not the 8th as previous advertised which is now
the date of the Island cross country championships.
We were also asked to keep March 12th 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 28th
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)
Bank of Scotland Winter Race Walking League, January 18th
2004, Andreas
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1km
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Position
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Number
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Name
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Time
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1
|
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Abbi Moore
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6.43
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2
|
80
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Sinead Kaneen
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6.30
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2km
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Position
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Number
|
Name
|
Time
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1
|
75
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Lauren Whelan
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11.54
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2
|
76
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Fay Latham
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13.26
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3
|
24
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Kirsty Taylor
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14.41
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5km
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|
|
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Position
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Number
|
Name
|
Time
|
1
|
87
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Adrian Cowin
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34.15
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2
|
79
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Neil Bates
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23.10
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3
|
86
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Enid Watson
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31.45
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4
|
73
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Callum Taylor
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28.23
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5
|
82
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Emma Latham
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28.35
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6
|
78
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Robert Moore
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26.05
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7
|
72
|
Allan Callow
|
26.24
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|
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10km
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|
|
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Position
|
Number
|
Name
|
Time
|
1
|
33
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Dot Watterson
|
70.26
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2
|
36
|
Mark Stewart
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64.47
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3
|
30
|
Brenda Charlton
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74.56
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4
|
21
|
Jane Leece
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67.06
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5
|
34
|
Dave Griffiths
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53.17
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6
|
44
|
Gill Churcher
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65.12
|
7
|
10
|
Kevin Walmsley
|
48.28
|
8
|
37
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Andrew Gosnell
|
61.39
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9
|
43
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Marie Latham
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54.54
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10
|
2
|
Gordon Corran
|
63.13
|
11
|
6
|
Dave Wilkinson
|
64.11
|
12=
|
15
|
Jan Hodgson
|
66.51
|
12=
|
32
|
Ron Ronan
|
64.33
|
14
|
16
|
Sarah Goldsmith
|
74.17
|
15
|
|
Peter Kaneen
|
45.53
|
16
|
22
|
Lesley Christian
|
73.43
|
17
|
17
|
Brian Goldsmith
|
63.25
|
18
|
12
|
Brian Brough
|
72.51
|
19
|
14
|
John Robinson
|
68.44
|
20
|
11
|
Mick Holgate
|
66.39
|
21
|
13
|
Alan Kinvig
|
71.07
|
22
|
35
|
Ian Callister
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59.32
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|
26
|
Sean Hands
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DNF
|
Second
fastest on the day was Kevin Walmsley
MANX
HARRIERS
OPEN INVITATION
MEETING
Race walks meeting held under I.A.A.F. rules
10k Run held under U.K.A. rules
organised by MANX HARRIERS
Saturday 28th February 2004
At the National Sports Centre, Douglas,
Isle of Man
Programme:
*10 a.m 50k walk incorporating
Manx 50km championship(see note)
10.30 a.m Junior mile walk (all ages under 17)
11 a.m Men & Women open 10k walk
12.30 p.m Women 20k walk
12.40 p.m Men 20k walk
3 p.m 10k run (Men & Women)
ENTRY
FORM PDF
ENTRY
FORM WORD
*Please note in order for the 50km race to take place
that a minimum of 8 bona fide entries are required. These are to be received by the race
secretary by February 7th 2004. Entry standard of 6 hours or proven ability to do the
time and the time limit is 6 hours
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