Law Trust Cross Country League – Round 3 – Results & Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The third round of the Law Trust Cross-Country league took place in ideal winter conditions at Crossags Farm on Sunday 6th December. The long-time home of Northern AC cross-country events on the fringes of Ramsey was blessed with fine though cold weather, and the course was rather less muddy than would normally be expected in December.

The Crossags course includes one of longest and toughest hills to be found on a cross-country course anywhere, and the stamina of all competitors from the under-13 age group upwards was tested to the maximum.

Ollie Lockley made his first cross-country appearance of the winter, and soon showed his ability to transfer his outstanding road form to the country. He initially ran in a leading pack of four in the men’s race which included the winner of the opening two rounds Alan Corlett, Will Draper and junior Ieuan Owen whose race was a lap shorter than the seniors.

By the top of the second brutal ascent through the wooded section, the new Isle of Man Marathon record holder had eased clear of his pursuers, and he continued to pull smoothly away. Looking in complete control of his race he stretched his lead to a comfortable 44 seconds at the completion of his four laps.

Alan Corlett, an acknowledged cross-country exponent, ran as well as ever to take second place, as did Will Draper who finished a further 55 seconds in arrears. A typically solid run from Orran Smith gave him fourth place ahead of another very consistent performer Mark Burman. Andy Nash narrowly held off a chasing pack to take sixth.

A late reduction of the junior men’s race from four laps to three caught out Corrin Leeming who ran four laps with only the leading three seniors in front him. He was not all that far behind race winner Ieuan Owen after the scheduled three laps.

The women’s field was somewhat depleted with the absence of several leading athletes, but that takes nothing away from race winner Ashleigh Lachenicht. A 400 and 800 metres specialist who also has a 12.3-second 100 metres time to her credit, she proved again what a remarkably versatile runner she is with a convincing victory over three tough laps.

Laura Dickinson goes well in any cross-country conditions and she was rewarded with an excellent second place. There was a great battle for third, Caroline Caren showing her fell-running strength on the hills to just edge out Lisa Dunwell. Carol Brogan and Niamh Goddard ran very well to complete the top six.

Race-walking stars Keira Heavey and Mia Dunwell were the winners of the junior and U17 women’s races, their general fitness helping them round the testing terrain.

There was a cracking contest between Ryan Corrin and Charlie Swales in the u17 men’s race, with the latter pushing Ryan hard all the way. A slight navigational error by Charlie lost him a few seconds near the end and Ryan’s final victory margin was 12 seconds. A great race.

Perhaps the race of the day was the u15 boys, with just four seconds between the first three who were all members of the host club. Lucas Stennett was the winner by one second from Sam Perry, and Charlie Teare was just three seconds back. Things were more comfortable for Macy Hillier in the girls’ race, and she looked in top form throughout as she won by almost two minutes.

Charlie Arculus is proving to be a very promising athlete and he completed a hat-trick of victories in the u13 age group. This was the youngest age group to negotiate the infamous hill. His margin over George Salter was 13 seconds, the latter having to work hard to hold off Freddie Griffin and Oliver Condon. The girls’ race was an exciting contest at the front all the way, and was won by Holly Salter from Abi Clayton in a reversal of their results from last time. The gap was just three seconds.

The short course races ran alongside the u13s, and these were won by Peter Bradley and Dawn Atherton.

Harry Stennett and Abi Sinclair continued their domination of the u11 age group this season, these races taking place over three laps of the bottom field. Harry’s margin was 12 seconds from Timothy Perry with Liam Blake third. Abi had to fight off a really determined challenge from Hope Lewis but regained her lead to win by four seconds with Ella Quirk third.

The under-nines had to contend with the Crossags pheasant during their races which did its best to get in their way. It couldn’t stop Seamus Hall and Eve Martin winning their races over two laps of the bottom field, each completing three wins out of three. In the boys’ race Corrie Brogan was third after finishing 17th and 14th in the first two rounds – a remarkable improvement.

  • Many thanks go to all the officials from both Northern AC and IOM Athletics who worked hard to ensure a successful meeting. Thanks also for the use of the facilities and land at Crossags.
  • Round 4 incorporates the IOM Championships and will be held at Port-e-Chee in Douglas on Sunday 17 January with racing getting underway at 1pm.
  • Video footage of the action is on the manxathletics.com Facebook page.

Full results here

David Griffiths
8 December 2020

Law Trust Cross Country League – Round 3 – Timetable and Courses

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The third round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man Cross Country League is hosted by Northern AC and will be held at Crossags Farm on the outskirts of Ramsey on Sunday 6th December.

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 Crossags Lane across the golf course.

The timetable is as follows:

12 noon to 1pm               Registration in the pavilion at the camp site (desk closes at 1pm)

1.00pm –                          U9 girls – 2 small laps – 920 metres

1.10pm –                          U9 boys – 2 small laps – 920 metres

1.20pm –                          U11 girls – 3 small laps – 1,380 metres

1.30pm –                          U11 boys – 3 small laps – 1,380 metres

1.45pm –                          U13 boys & girls and short course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2,890 metres

2.00pm –                          U17 men & women – 1 small lap, 2 large laps – 5,320 metres

2.02pm –                           U15 boys & girls – 2 large laps – 4,860 metres

U20, senior, veteran women -3 large laps – 7,290 metres

U20, senior, veteran men – 4 large laps – 9,720 metres

Please note that the short course race is only for under-20, senior and veteran athletes. Athletes from the U17 age group downwards must compete in their age group races.

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 wearing your race number. If you have lost your number and need a replacement these will be available at registration – there is a £2 charge for replacement numbers.

If you have not previously registered, you need to complete a registration form and pay at the desk on Sunday. Forms can be downloaded here and will also be available at registration. Registration will close at 1pm prompt and no entries will be taken after that time.

Here’s the timetable
Here’s a photo of the course

Law Trust Cross Country League – Round 2 – Results & Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Leaden skies and strong winds greeted competitors and officials for the second round of the Law Trust Cross-Country League held at QE2 School in Peel on the afternoon of Sunday 1 November 2020. Such is the current enthusiasm for running events of all types, however, that no fewer than 288 competitors toed the start line for the Western AC organised event – with the threatened rain arriving halfway through proceedings giving the runners and on-course officials a soaking.

The meeting opened with the under-nine competitors racing one lap of the school field, and Seamus Hall impressed again with a fine win in the boys’ race ahead of Taylor Kneen and Gabriel Campbell. In the girls’ race it was ‘as you were’ from the first round, the first five finishing in the same places. Eve Martin was the winner from Poppy Clayton and Tara Nelson.

The U11s completed two laps of the school field, and Harry Stennett reversed the result from Port-e-Chee by getting the better of Liam Blake this time. This is set to be a battle royal all season between two excellent young athletes. Timothy Perry was again third. Abi Sinclair was clear in the girls’ race to take her second win, with Ella Quirk and Hope Lewis finishing second and third.

There were several big improvers among the young athletes. Among them, Maisie Lunt was up from 27th to 17th in the U9 girls’ race, and Faith Teare improved from 13th to fourth in the U11 girls.

The U13 girls and boys, along with the Short Course competitors, were the first to venture onto the full lap with its undulating agricultural fields. Charlie Arculus made it two wins in a row in the boys’ race with a seven-second advantage over Oliver Condon. Two seconds back came Alec Sorby in third. The 20-strong field for this race was the largest for the U13 boys in the history of the event.

The girls’ race was the closest of the day, with Abi Clayton – in her first race of the season – taking the win by just one second from Holly Salter with Penny Webster in third.

The short course races were won by Geoff Rice and Dawn Atherton – the latter winning for the second time this season.

The squally rain swept in as the next race started, featuring the U20, senior and veteran women racing over four laps, and the U17 women and U15 boys and girls circulating three times.

The U15 races were of a high quality, Macy Hillier keeping pace with senior women’s winner Elissa Morris for a couple of laps on her way to victory. Madison McMullan is a very consistent competitor and took second place ahead of Lottie Stennett who also ran very well.

Northern AC dominated the boys’ race with the first six finishers. Samuel Perry worked hard to fend off a determined challenge from Lucas Stennett, with Cian Howard in third. There was drama in this race though, with Western AC’s Corbyn Schade well clear of the rest before misjudging the laps and coming in a lap early. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but he is a hard-working and rapidly improving athlete who will have plenty of good days ahead.

Mia Dunwell won the U17 women’s race by 49 seconds from Catherine Perry, both running strong and determined races.

The Women’s race was dominated by Island Games distance runner Elissa Morris. Initially running in company with U15 Macy Hillier, she stretched away to win by a minute and 14 seconds with a smooth run over a testing course, especially in such unpleasant conditions.

Ashleigh Lachenicht underlined that she is far from just a short-distance runner with an excellent second place, and Rachael Hamilton continued her fine recent comeback to competition with third ahead of the rapidly improving Becky Watterson. The ever-consistent Laura Dickinson was fifth.

There was a familiar look to the six-lap Men’s race which completed the action. Alan Corlett, U20 Ieuan Owen and Will Draper repeated their results from Port-e-Chee, and were even colour-coordinated – each wearing all-black kits! Corlett led all the way and the win was never in doubt, but Western AC youngster Owen kept him in sight all the way and finished only 27 seconds behind. Challenging strongly throughout, Draper finished a further seven seconds in arrears.

QE2 School student Corrin Leeming had a cracking run to finish fourth, and it was good to see two U20 athletes in the top four. Fifth was Orran Smith, whose powers of recovery continue to amaze just a week after breaking the long-standing record for the Bob Baxter Round. Mark Burman was sixth.

Here are the results.

  • Sincere thanks are extended to all the officials from both Western AC and IOM Athletics who braved unpleasant conditions to put on another superb event. Thanks also go to QE2 School and the landowner.
  • Round 3 takes place at Crossags Farm in Ramsey on Sunday 6 December with racing getting underway at 1pm.
  • Video footage of the action is on the manxathletics.com Facebook page.

David Griffiths
3 November 2020

Law Trust Cross Country League – Round 2 – Timetable and Courses

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The second round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man Cross Country League is hosted by Western AC and will be held at QE2 School in Peel on Sunday 1st November 2020.

The courses for all ages from U13 upwards take the runners onto the adjacent farmland. Strictly no dogs are allowed on any part of the course. Spectators are asked to keep the course clear during the races.

The timetable is as follows:

11.30pm to 1pm –           Registration in school building
1.00pm –                          U9 boys – 1 small lap – 850 metres
1.05pm –                          U9 girls – 1 small lap – 850 metres
1.10pm –                          U11 boys – 2 small laps – 1750 metres
1.20pm –                          U11 girls – 2 small laps – 1750 metres
1.30pm –                          U13 boys & girls & short course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2800 metres
1.40pm –                          U15 boys & girls, U17 women – 3 large laps – 4580 metres
U20, senior, veteran women – 4 large laps – 5920 metres
1.55pm –                          U17 men – 5 large laps – 7260 metres
U20, senior, veteran men – 6 large laps – 8600 metres

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 wearing your race number. If you have lost your number and need a replacement these will be available at registration – there is a £2 charge for replacement numbers.

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

Course Map

Timetable & Lap Information

 

 

 

Law Trust Cross Country League – Round 1 – Results & Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Cross-country racing returned to Port-e-Chee Meadow on the outskirts of Douglas on Sunday 4th October for the first time in nearly 40 years. This venue, with Douglas Rugby Club as the base, was used for cross-country in the 1970s and early 1980s, although on a different course.

The new course devised by Andy Fox is predominantly flat, but with enough features to provide variety for the runners. It includes a short out-and-back hill under trees that is just long and rough enough to test stamina and agility, and towards the end of each lap there was a short stretch of classic cross-country mud.

Glorious autumn weather greeted a cracking turnout of 295 athletes for Round 1 of the Law Trust Isle of Man Cross-Country League. This first round of four was organised by Manx Harriers, with the men’s and women’s races for seniors and veterans both attracting all-time record entries.

There were no surprises at the head of the senior races, Alan Corlett and Rachael Franklin taking convincing and impressive victories over three and two laps respectively of the full course – distances of 9,000 and 6,000 metres. Both have only recently returned to full training following a break at the end of the unusually late track season.

Corlett was tracked by Will Draper throughout the first lap and into the second, the latter looking strong and composed although a much less experienced cross-country runner than his training partner. On the final lap Draper felt unwell and slowed, allowing first-year u20 Ieuan Owen to catch and pass him in the closing stages. This was a wonderful run by the young Western AC athlete who continues to impress, especially as this was his first time contesting the same distance as the seniors.

There was a close battle for fourth place, Mark Burman almost catching a tiring Orran Smith in the finishing straight. The latter’s fatigue was understandable after his epic circuit of the Raad ny Foillan the previous weekend. Paul Sykes completed the top six.

Rachael Franklin was totally dominant in the women’s race, and had some of the leading men for company throughout her two laps. Elissa Morris ran strongly to take second place, and there was a race-long battle for third place between distance runner Rachael Hamilton and 400 metres specialist Ashleigh Lachenicht. The finishing speed of the Island Games 400 metres champion eventually settled an intriguing contest.

Sarah Puzzar produced one of the runs of the day to take fifth place. She judged the race well, upping the tempo on her second lap to make up several places. Sixth place went to cross-country newcomer Becky Watterson, and the leading junior was race-walking specialist Keira Heavey.

Running alongside the women were the u17 men, and Ryan Corrin impressed in this race with a very solid winning performance.

The action had begun with the under-nine and u11 races round one and two laps respectively of the main field, and the u11 boys’ race produced the most exciting finish of the day. Liam Blake and Harry Stennett have had many close battles this year, none better than on Sunday. Never far apart, they entered the finishing straight together and sprinted neck and neck for the line as the big crowd cheered them on. It was Manx Harriers athlete Blake who just got there first, both lads being given the same time.

Abi Sinclair was the clear winner of the u11 girls’ race, with the sprint finish for second place going to Jessica Bergquist by one second from Olivia Martin.

The winners of the under-nine races were Seamus Hall and Eve Martin, but every competitor gave their all and there were some great performances.

Several of the intermediate age groups raced together over different distances, and it was a fine sight for the spectators as a train of fast-moving runners made their way around the fields and across some shallow ditches in the beautiful warm sunshine.

Macy Hillier dominated the 3,000-metre u15 girls’ race, looking in fine form and gliding smoothly over the terrain. Madison McMullan was second, three seconds clear of Lottie Stennett. The u13 boys and girls ran alongside the u15 girls, and victory in these races went to promising young athletes Charlie Arculus and Holly Salter.

Running alongside these competitors were the Short Course runners with Dawn Atherton and Mark Corrin taking the wins – Dawn in the faster time.

There was a real depth of quality in the 3,900-metre u15 boys’ race, only seven seconds separating the first three. Gethin Owen won by six seconds from Sam Perry, who in turn was just one second clear of Lucas Stennett. All three lads are part of talented athletics families.

Star race-walker Mia Dunwell was the sole competitor in the u17 women’s race but she ran very well in company with the u15 boys.

Prior to the senior race there was a minute’s silence and a round of applause in memory of Colin Watterson who sadly passed away last week.

  • Grateful thanks are extended to the army of officials who all did so much to make the event a great success, and to Douglas Rugby Club for allowing the use of their clubhouse and car park.
  • Round 2 takes place at QE2 School in Peel on Sunday 1 November with racing getting underway at 1pm.
  • ideo footage of the action is on the manxathletics.com Facebook page.Here are the full results.

David Griffiths