The new cross-country season got underway on Sunday 3rd November, a little later than usual but in perfect conditions for running. The opening round of the Group Eleven sponsored series was staged by Manx Harriers at Port-e-Chee Meadow on the outskirts of Douglas, and senior successes went the way of Ollie Lockley and Kirsty Barber.
There was some excellent racing through all the age groups, with some impressive newcomers adding to the established quality on show. The under-nine and u11 age groups opened proceedings, racing one and two laps respectively of the main field in the vicinity of the rugby pitches.
The outstanding competitor in these races was Leighton Curphey, who has already won two races in the u11 age group in the Lancashire Red Rose League this autumn. He proved his ability again with a very smooth running style that is a joy to watch, and as expected he took a comfortable win. Henry Quaye was the surprise package of this race, and to finish only 20 seconds adrift of Curphey after 1,800 metres was a fantastic effort in his first year in the age group. Jack Davies and Alfie Jacobs also ran very well
There was plenty of quality in the girls’ race too, with Maisy-Jo Faragher continuing her fine form of last season with a good win. She had to work hard, as first-year u11 Emira Bowden was just three seconds behind with Xènia Muñoz-Fité in third. The 900 metres u9 races were won by Jack Davison and Onnee Thomas, with Thomlyn Varley, George Looney, Beatrice Brook and Harper Quayle all going very well.
The rest of the races took place on the full meadow circuit, where the grass was long in places and there is a short but testing rough and muddy hill to negotiate.
The u13s raced over 3,000 metres, with Séamus Hall winning the boys race despite taking a heavy tumble at the bottom of the hill. This helped second-placed Carter Kneale to close to within eight seconds. Jack Bullock held off a strong late surge by Billy McMullan to take third. Poppy Clayton ran a very strong race to win the u13 girls’ race by 30 seconds from Bella Quaye.
The u15 girls also ran a distance of 3,000 metres, and the field of 11 was just one shy of the league record. It was great to see such strong support from this age group. Faith Teare was the clear winner with a strong run, with Abi Sinclair also showing impressive strength in second.
Harry Stennett was the dominant figure in the u15 boys’ race over a distance of 3,900 metres. He was initially tracked by Max Hammal, but pulled away to win by 50 seconds. There was a very tight race for third place, with Liam Blake just edging it from Cosmo Kinley but both runners being given the same time. The concurrently run u17 women’s race was won by Holly Salter from Abi Clayton.
The short course races followed over 3,000 metres, and it was good to see several of the leading sprinters and middle distance runners having an outing over the country. 400 metres specialist Ben Sinclair dominated the race from the whistle, looking strong and relaxed as he won by more than two minutes. Hollie Quaye won the women’s race ahead of a dead-heat between sprinters Aimee Christian and Lucy Ormsby.
The stage was then set for the final start of the day, with the u20, senior and veteran men racing over 9,000 metres (three laps) and the u20, senior and veteran women, and u17 men, racing over 6,000 metres (two laps).
There was a fascinating contest at the head of the men’s race between the past two Island Games Half Marathon champions Ollie Lockley and Corrin Leeming. Midway through the opening lap they were together and already way clear of the rest, with an interesting contrast in running styles. Leeming lost a few seconds as he briefly stopped to adjust his footwear, and this allowed Lockley into a lead which he gradually extended throughout the race.
Both looked in excellent form, with Lockley eventually winning by a margin of 38 seconds. If both are on the start line of the Half Marathon at the Island Games in Orkney next summer, the other islands had better watch out!
Chris Killey produced a fine performance to take third spot, having worked hard to establish a big enough gap to hold off a very strong finish from Paul Atherton, who in turn pulled clear of Matt Callister to take fourth spot. It was good to see leading u20 Gethin Owen back in racing action after a year, and he was sixth ahead of Kevin Shimell. George Salter won the shorter u17 men’s race.
The women’s race was initially led by road specialist Christa Cain on her cross-country debut, but after feeling tightness in her calf she sensibly stopped halfway round the opening lap with an eye on next month’s Valencia Marathon. That let Kirsty Barber through into the lead, which she steadily consolidated throughout the race. Her neat and tidy running style is well suited to running over the country.
Laura Dickinson is such a consistent performer on all surfaces and she proved her quality once again with a fine run for second place. Amber Carridge, also a very reliable performer, was third ahead of Alice Atkinson who has made a real impression in recent races and looks to have more to come.
Many thanks go to Andy Fox and his team of officials and marshals, to Douglas Rugby Club for their hospitality, and to the farmer for use of the agricultural fields.
Round 2 takes place at the Home of Rest for Old Horses on Sunday 1 December, also organised by Manx Harriers. Online entries for those who did not enter prior to the first round will reopen shortly. All are welcome.
David Griffiths
5 November 2024