Law Trust Cross Country Season 2020/21

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The season gets underway with the first race on a new course at Port-e-Chee Meadow on Sunday 11th October hosted by Manx Harriers. Whilst the course is new to most of the present runners it was used back in the early 80s (nearly 40 years ago). Some of the older runners may recall it being used for school and league races. On this occasion there are no river crossings but flat fast running on agricultural grassland with one hill on each long lap. There will also be a change to the starting times for all of the events this season with signing on being from 11.30am with the first races for under 9s setting off at 1pm. The reason for the change is to allow more time for the full schedule of events and also an earlier finish – especially needed in December and January. The race registration will be at the Douglas Rugby Club Clubhouse (near Braddan Bridge on the TT Course) as will changing rooms, toilets and refreshments.

The rest of the season follows a familiar pattern with Western AC hosting round 2 at QE2 High School in Peel on Sunday 1st November followed by round 3 being hosted by Northern AC on the 6th December at Crossag’s Farm in Ramsey. The final fixture, which doubles up and the Isle of Man Championships, is scheduled for Sunday 17th January, hosted by Manx Harriers, and it is hoped it will be at Port-e-Chee, however, this is not yet confirmed. More details to follow on this, or the new course to be used, over time!!! Athletes are reminded that they need to finish 3 out of the 4 league races to complete the league.

As usual athletes can sign up early for the league on two signing on nights on Wednesday and Friday 7th and 9th of October between 6pm and 8pm at Manx Harriers Clubhouse. Athletes and parents are advised to sign up in advance for the league as this will save much time on the day of the race and avoid any queueing or the possibility of missing a race start. The entry fee for an individual event is £6 for seniors and £4 for juniors. The unattached seniors entry fee is £8. It is cheaper to enter the series with the costs being £20 for seniors, £12 for juniors and £28 unattached. Athletes are reminded that their number is to be used in all 4 leagues races so must be looked after. Replacement numbers will have a £2 charge.

Here is the Entry Form

Whilst it looks unlikely there will be much Cross Country action in the UK this year we hope to see a bumper season with big fields and competitive racing in the Law Trust Cross Country League as well as new courses to add a little extra spice. Thanks must be expressed in advance to Douglas RUFC and the land owner and farmer for use of Port-e-Chee in October. Also to our sponsors Law Trust for their much valued support.

Isle of Man Athletics Junior Pentathlon – Results

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Here are the result of the Isle of Man Athletics Junior Pentathlon held on 22nd August 2020

A big thank you to Di and the team of officials that helped and gave up their time as without them these events wouldn’t be possible.

Also thanks to the NSC staff that were helping out, especially Toni who is just brilliant and nothing is ever too much trouble.

Isle of Man 10,000m Track Championships – Results

Posted on By Anthony Brand

PB Cracking 10km Performances in Great Conditions.

The Isle of Man 10km Track Race Walk and Run Championships took place on Monday 24th August in fine calm weather at the NSC track. 24 athletes toed the line either in the longer Championship event or the open 5km that was also available in both disciplines. The results were 12 Personal Best performances and one age group Manx Record subject to ratification.

First off were the walkers with race favourites Tom Partington and Erika Kelly to the fore early on. However, both struggled on this day and pulled out before half way. Hannah Hunter walked a steady race become Manx Champion for 2020 finishing a clear 24 seconds ahead of Keira Heavey who walked very well to record a PB. Next to finish was Tony Edwards in 58.59.7 and so taking the men’s title. Jayne Farquhar secured the final ladies  podium place walking well with Nicola Raven finishing 4th lady on the evening. Louise Hollings covered just under 5km before pulling out and the unfortunate Sam Fletcher picked up a DQ with 2 laps to go in the 10km event. In the 5km open event Mia Dunwell again walked impressively to record a new track PB of 26 mins 09.7 seconds. Overall the race walks saw some excellent performances.

The run saw PBs from all athletes who completed the 10km or 5km bar two and one of those set an age group record. In the 10km Alan Corlett ran a front running race where he pushed himself hard. His winning time of 30 mins 44.6 seconds was a track PB and also 0.4 seconds inside his road best. This was a cracking solo performance from a hard working and talented runner. The other podium places were decided in a close tussle between new IOM Fell Runners members Christian Varley and Andy Nash. Andy was reeling Christian in on the final lap but the latter’s hard work up to that point saw him hold onto second place by 3.4 seconds. Both ran PBs in the process. Paul Sykes finished 4th in a fine run with 5th going to Dan Pownall both running quicker on the track than ever before. James Moffett ran on strongly to finish in 6th with Kevin Vondy running 41 mins 04.7 seconds in 7th and setting a New Manx over 60 track record subject to Ratification. Overall the 10km run saw some great performances and a great front running win for Corlett.

The open 5km run saw PBs from all competitors who completed the event. First to finish was Ieuan Owen who ran 15 mins 44 seconds to run quicker than on the road last month. He set off at a hard pace and was rewarded with a fine time. Second to complete the event was Rachael Franklin who recorded a track best and a time that is the quickest run by a female but ineligible for record purposes due to being achieved in a mixed gender race. Having said that it can only be a matter of time before she runs in the right race and smashes her present track best and maybe takes it below her road time of 15.42. George Dickinson fresh from self-isolation a week or so ago ran a track PB of 17 mins and 0.7 of a second. A fine run considering his lack of training. Jamie Hayes ran on well to record a 5km PB on any surface as did Laura Dickinson in 7th place. So ended a fine set of runs which all athletes can be proud of.

Thanks must be forwarded to the athletes and spectators who made this an event with a great atmosphere. Also to the officials who made the event possible at short notice. Lastly this event saw a myriad of PBs recorded last year and this year half of athletes did likewise. Hopefully in 2021 when the event returns to its late spring date we will see likewise and also it will be in an Island Games year as well just to add a little more spice to the occasion.

Isle of Man 10,000m Race Walking Champs.

Pos.  No.            Name                               Age Cat              Club                                  Time

1,      150           Hannah Hunter             V35W                 Manx Harriers               56.33.3
2,      153           Keira Heavey                  U20W                 Northern A.C.                56.57.3
3,      158           Tony Edwards                V55M                 Manx Harriers               58.59.7
4,      154           Jayne Farquhar             V50W                 Manx Harriers               61.47.1
5,      155           Nicola Raven                  V55W                 Manx Harriers               66.57.7

DQ    157  Sam Fletcher V40M  Manx Harriers
DNF  156  Tom Partington SM  Manx Harriers
DNF  152  Erika Kelly SW  Northern A.C.
DNF  151  Louise Hollings V40W Manx Harriers

Open 5,000m Race Walk.

1,     226            Mia Dunwell                  U17W                 Northern A.C.                26.09.7

Isle of Man 10,000m Run Champs.

1,     179             Alan Corlett                    SM                      Manx Harriers               30.44.6
2,     178             Christian Varley            V35M                 IOM Fell Runners              33.08.4
3,     180             Andy Nash                      SM                      IOM Fell Runners              33.11.8
4,     177             Paul Sykes                       V45M                 IOM Fell Runners              35.38.0
5,     181             Daniel Pownall              SM                      Manx Harriers               37.22.2
6,     176             James Moffett               V40M                 Manx Harriers               40.31.7
7,     175             Kevin Vonday                V60M                 Northern A.C.                41.04.1

Open 5,000m Run.

1,     258             Ieuan Owen                    U20M                 Western A.C.                 15.44.0
2,     259             Racheal Franklin           SW                      Ribble Valley H.              16.06.4
3,     261             George Dickinson         SM                      Manx Harriers               17.00.7
4,     257             Jamie Hayes                   V35M                 Manx Harriers               19.24.7
5,     260             Laura Dickinson            SW                      Manx Harriers               19.29.5

DNF  256  Caroline Mayers  V45W  Manx Harriers
DNF  262  John Dunwell  V50M  Northern A.C.