Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League – Round 2

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The second round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League is hosted by Northern AC and will be held at their traditional venue of Crossags Farm in Ramsey on Sunday 3 November. 

There is no parking at the venue itself – competitors and spectators are asked to park at Ramsey Grammar School (East or West) and walk up the lane across the golf course.

The timetable is as follows:
12.45pm to 2.00pm – Registration
2.00pm U9 boys & girls – 2 small laps – 860 metres
2.10pm U11 boys & girls – 3 small laps – 1290 metres
2.25pm U13 boys & girls & short course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2600 metres
2.35pm U15 boys & girls, U17 women – 2 large laps – 4660 metres
2.35pm U17 men, U20, senior, veteran women – 3 large laps – 6990 metres
2.35pm U20, senior, veteran men – 4 large laps – 9320 metres

Here is a course map.

You are advised to arrive early to allow time to check out the course before the races. Barista Express will be on site selling hot and cold drinks and food.

If you have already paid for the series and have your race number there is no need to attend the registration desk, just go to the start line five minutes before your race. If you have lost your number and need a replacement there will be a separate desk at registration.

If you did not register prior to Round 1, you need to complete a registration form and pay at the desk on Sunday. Blank forms will also be available at registration.

 

David Griffiths.

 

Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League – Round 1 – Results & Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Here are the results from round 1 of the Isle of Man Cross Country League sponsored by Law Trust held at Castle Rushen High School on Sunday 13 October 2019.

On a weekend when the international athletics headlines were dominated by two extraordinary and somewhat controversial Marathon world records, the local Law Trust-sponsored cross country season got underway on a day of continuous heavy rain at Castle Rushen High School in Castletown. This first event of the season was organised by Manx Harriers.

The Isle of Man’s best-ever cross country runner Keith Gerrard summed up cross country perfectly last week when he wrote that it “brings together endurance runners from all distances and tests them over natural and unpredictable terrain. First person from point A to point B on two legs wins – sport doesn’t get much purer or demanding than that! Time is irrelevant – it’s all about beating as many people as you can whilst learning about yourself in the process. I always prefer a muddy course, where no kind of ‘special shoes’ can help as you sink in to the quagmire.”

Those words were certainly apt on Sunday as the heavy rain left lots of standing water and several muddy sections on the south side course which followed the perimeters of four agricultural fields close to the school. Despite the dreadful weather there was a superb turnout of 243 athletes across all categories, a tribute to their dedication and that of all the officials.

It was a delight to see new winners of the two senior races. Orran Smith (Western AC) and Carly Craig (Manx Harriers) deservedly took the honours, having both achieved many high placings over the years but never top spot. Smith was in a class of his own in the three-lap Senior Men’s race, winning by two-and-a-half minutes and proving what a fine all-round distance runner he is. Great credit goes to U17 athletes Ieuan Owen and Corrin Leeming who ran in close company with the senior winner and pushed him hard throughout their shorter two-lap race.

Behind this leading trio there was an epic contest for second place in the senior race amongst a group which initially comprised ten athletes before fragmenting in the latter stages as they splashed round the sodden fields. The value of good pace judgement in the tricky conditions proved crucial with Sam Looker, Matt Callister and leading junior Luke Phair breaking away from the pack to take second, third and fourth places respectively. Cross country newcomer Phil Knox was impressive in fifth place.

Carly Craig led throughout the two-lap senior women’s race but was pressed hard by junior Phoebe Coates for much of the race. An Island Games track medallist back in 2001, the Manx Harriers athlete is a fine distance runner and proved it again with a strong and controlled performance. Middle-distance specialist Coates took the runners-up spot and the ever-consistent Laura Dickinson got the better of a race-long tussle with Eleanor Gawne to take third.

There was equally impressive racing throughout the younger age groups, and with many of the age categories out on the course at the same time there was plenty of action during another cloudburst. The U13 boys and girls and U15 girls raced together over one full lap of the course, and the fastest of these athletes was Macy Hillier who took victory in the U15 race. She had to give everything she had to stay ahead of the ever-competitive Ella Crowe, and the battle between these two fine young athletes will be a feature of the season.

Charlie Teare took the honours in the U13 boys’ race with an 18-second winning margin over Jake Crowe, with Samuel Corkill narrowly beating Oliver Condon to third place. In the girls’ race it was Lola Bass to the fore, with Mikhaella Harris and Belinda Dennett completing the top three.

The U15 Boys and Short Course competitors also raced together over one short lap and one full lap, and the leading athlete here was Ryan Corrin, an athlete with plenty of cross country ability. He took victory in the U15 race by a 32-second margin from Gethin Owen.

28 athletes took advantage of the Short Course race option, including no fewer than 20 women. Fastest of all was Island Games 400 metres champion Ashleigh Lachenicht who is also a quality cross country runner. She finished seven seconds clear of the first male finisher Saul Bradley.

The youngest competitors had begun the afternoon’s action, with the under-nine and U11 races proving as fast and exciting as always. The U9s raced over one lap of the main field, with Timothy Perry and Issy Kennaugh, both of Northern AC, taking the first two victories of the day.

In the U11 races two Manx Harriers athletes took the spoils, with Charlie Arculus and Abi Clayton first home in their races after two laps of the main field. There was an exciting finish to the girls’ race with Summer Craig just a couple of strides behind the winner. In the boys’ race only two seconds spanned second to fifth places.

Distances were:

Under 9 Boys, 800 metres (1 short lap)
Under 9 Girls, 800 metres (1 short lap)
Under 11 Boys, 1,550 metres (2 short laps)
Under 11 Girls, 1,550 metres (2 short laps)
Under 13 Boys & Girls, Under 15 Girls, 2,780 metres (1 full lap)
Under 15 Boys, Under 17 Girls, Short Course, 3,580 metres (1 short lap, 1 full lap)
Junior, Senior, Veteran Women, Under 17 Men, 5,710 metres (2 full laps)
Junior, Senior, Veteran Men, 8,440 metres (3 full laps)

  • Many thanks go to organiser Andy Fox and his team of helpers for putting in a real shift on such an unpleasant day, and also to Castle Rushen HS and the landowner.
  • Video footage of all the races has been posted on the manxathletics.com Facebook page.
  • Round Two of the series takes place on Sunday 3 November and will be hosted by Northern AC at Crossags Farm in Ramsey.

David Griffiths
15 October 2019

Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League – Round 1

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The first of four rounds in the Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League, sponsored by Law Trust, takes place at Castle Rushen High School in Castletown on Sunday 13th October, with the first race getting underway at 2pm. This round is organised by Manx Harriers.

The course is on agricultural land alongside the school which is fairly flat although the surface is uneven in places. The senior races will be run over slightly reduced distances for the first round, with mileages increasing later in the season.

The senior, veteran and junior men’s race will be over three full laps of the course, a distance of approximately 8.5 kilometres. The senior, veteran and junior women, and under-17 men, will race over two full laps, a distance of around 5.7 kilometres.

Full details of all race distances from under-nines upwards can be found on the entry forms and the course map.

The minimum age for competitors is seven years on the day of a race.

Two pre-race registration sessions will take place on Wednesday 9th and Friday 11th October from 6pm to 8pm in the Manx Harriers Clubhouse at the National Sports Centre in Douglas. Registration will also be available at Castle Rushen High School on Sunday from 1pm to 2pm, but you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Wednesday and Friday registration sessions to save time on race day. Full season packages are available for a slightly reduced cost.

Last season saw record entries for a four-race season, and bumper entry levels are expected again as well as fast and exciting racing. There is quality in depth throughout the age groups andthere should be some excellent competition all through the season.

Thanks
David

Law Trust IOM Athletics Cross Country League 2019/20

Posted on By Anthony Brand

IOM Athletics is pleased to provide details of the 2019/20 Law Trust IOM Athletics Cross Country League.

There will be two signing on nights before the first race on Wednesday 9th and Friday 11th October in Manx Harriers Club House from 6pm to 8.00pm.

At each race venue signing on will take place between 1pm and the start of the first race at 2pm, however, we encourage all athletes to sign up in advance and take the opportunity of entering the league, all four races, at a knock down rate of £18 for seniors (attached) or £10 for juniors. For unattached senior athletes the cost is £26 rather than the full fee of £28. Make sure you bring your cash or cheque book with you!

Early registration means no queuing on the day of a race (you must look after and remember to bring your number) – just turn up, warm up and be at the start line 5 mins before your race begins so saving you time and energy!!!

Full details of entry charges can be found on the entry form. The league race programme sees four events taking place over the winter with the 13th October being round one at Castle Rushen High School hosted by Manx Harriers. Northern AC host the second event on 3rd November with Manx Harriers again doing likewise at the Nunnery on the 1st December. The last event which is also the Isle of Man  Cross Country Championships takes place on 19th January and is hosted by Western AC. As ever, we expect some fantastic competition over the season, on some varied and interesting courses with results, photos and reports appearing in the press and here on the IOM Athletics website and Facebook sites.

Finally IOM Athletics wish to thank Law Trust for their very much appreciated sponsorship of this very popular and competitive series of league events.

Inter Counties Cross Country 2019

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Ollie Lockley produced the standout performance of the twelve local athletes chosen to represent Lancashire in last Saturday’s Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Prestwold Hall, a country estate on the outskirts of Loughborough.

In a race that was the selection trial for the Great Britain team for the World Cross Country Championships later this month, Lockley finished in a superb eleventh position, a performance that demonstrated that a British vest is a realistic target for him in the near future.

The senior men’s and women’s races were both held over a distance that was officially given as ten kilometres, though the technology worn on the wrists of the competitors indicated that the distance was some 500 metres further than this. The decision to equalise the senior men’s and women’s distances this year was a controversial one which did not meet with the unanimous approval of the athletes – previously the men have competed over twelve kilometres and the women over eight.

Lockley judged his race superbly over the rolling terrain on an extremely windy day, holding a position around the top 30 in the early stages before moving smoothly through the field as the race progressed. In the final quarter he found himself in a group of three battling for 11th place, but powered away to take the place with plenty to spare. It was a magnificent run, the only local athlete to have ever placed higher in the senior men’s race being Keith Gerrard who memorably won it in 2012.

Alan Corlett, a late addition to the team, also produced his best performance at this event with a 58th place finish. Like his teammate he became progressively stronger and gained countless places in the second half of the race. The two Manxmen were part of the silver medal winning Lancashire team in the six-man team contest and were gold medal winners in the nine-man contest.

David Mullarkey also earned plaudits for his 19th place finish in the Junior Men’s race which was the first event of the day. This was another mature performance from an athlete who has found great consistency this winter and who should do very well on the track this summer.

The nine-strong Lancashire Senior Women’s team included a remarkable five Manx athletes, the biggest local representation ever in a race at these championships. Sarah Astin continued her rehabilitation from injury with a strong run for 28th place, looking noticeably fitter than two weeks earlier in the English National Championships. Middle distance specialist Rachael Franklin found the longer race distance hard going but as ever battled every step of the way to finish in a good 49th place.

Elissa Morris celebrated her 30th birthday with a fine run to finish 123rd and looked to be enjoying the race more than anyone. Gail Griffiths was one of the oldest competitors in the field but proved that she is still competitive against much younger rivals with 175th place, while Karen Shimmin completed the Manx representation with a gritty run to place 184th.

Lorna Spiers, still an under-17, helped the Lancashire team by stepping up an age group, and also in distance, to run in the Junior Women’s race. She placed a highly creditable 63rd in a race that also included the World Championship trial.

Also placing 63rd in the under 13 girls’ race was Macy Hillier who ran impressively and looks to be getting back to her best form in time for the summer season.

Ella Crowe has enjoyed a fine winter season and she continued in the same vein with a 113th place finish in the under 15 girls’ race in her first year in the age group.

Sam Perry was the only member of the local contingent to debut for Lancashire this year, and he proved himself worthy of his county vest with a strong run to place 253rd in a big field in the under 13 boys’ race. He is in his first year in the age group and this experience will greatly help his progress in the sport.

David Griffiths
12 March 2019