News

Group Eleven IOM Cross Country League Round 1 – Sunday 03/11/24

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Entries have closed for the first of four rounds of the Group Eleven Isle of Man Cross Country League which takes place at Port-e-Chee Meadow near Braddan Bridge on the outskirts of Douglas on Sunday 3rd November. This round is organised by Manx Harriers, with race headquarters being at Douglas Rugby Club. The first race gets underway at 1pm.

The course is largely on agricultural grassland. The main field is fast but could be muddy alongside Peel Road. The sheep fields have not had stock in them recently so the grass may be quite long.

Race numbers should be collected on Friday 1st Nov between 5.30pm and 8.00pm from Manx Harriers clubhouse at the NSC. Please note entries will not be accepted at this time, this is purely for number collection. If you cannot make it to the number collection and will be running on Sunday, please get a friend to collect your number or contact the race organisers.

If you have not yet paid for your entry by bank transfer you must pay when collecting your race number on Friday 1st Nov. Payment can be made by cash, or by cheque payable to IOM Athletics. The entry system will reopen prior to each of the following three rounds of the series for those who do not enter this time.

The course will be open from 12 noon on the Sunday for inspection. There will be an information desk available in the Rugby clubhouse for any questions to be answered from 12 noon until 12.30pm. You must be at the start line 5 minutes before the start of your race to hear the course briefing. All races will go off on time or as close as possible after the advertised time. No race will start early.

Full details of all race distances from under-nines upwards are here and course map is here.  The minimum age for competitors is seven years on the day of the race.

There is a large parking area at Douglas Rugby Club which should accommodate everyone. An alternative is to park in the vicinity of the NSC and to walk up the road from Quarter Bridge. Spectators please keep off the course during the races. Douglas RUFC will be running a tuck shop in the afternoon so please do stay and make an afternoon of it. Watch the races with some exciting competition and enjoy the refreshments that will be on sale.

Thanks to Group Eleven for their continued and much valued support and sponsorship.

Timetable and approximate distances are as follows:

12 noon – Course open for inspection

1.00pm – Under 9 Boys, 900 metres (1 short lap)

1.05pm – Under 9 Girls, 900 metres (1 short lap)

1.10pm – Under 11 Boys, 1,800 metres (2 short laps)

1.20pm – Under 11 Girls, 1,800 metres (2 short laps)

1.35pm – Under 15 Boys, Under 17 Women, 3,900 metres (1 short lap, one large lap)

1.37pm – Under 13 Boys and Girls, Under 15 Girls, 3,000 metres (1 large lap)

2.10pm – Short Course, 3,000 metres (1 large lap)

2.20pm – Under 17 Men, Junior/ Senior/ Veteran Women, 6,000 metres (2 large laps)

2.20pm – Junior/ Senior/Veteran Men, 9,000 metres (3 large laps)

Law Trust Cross-Country League Round 4 & IOM Championships

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The local cross-country season reaches its climax on the afternoon of Sunday 14th January with the fourth and final round of the Law Trust sponsored Cross-Country League.

The event also doubles as the Isle of Man Cross-Country Championship for 2024, with medals at stake in all age groups (except the short course race which is non-championship but still part of the league). This year’s event is hosted by Manx Harriers and will be based at the Horses Home on Richmond Hill, just off the main Douglas to Castletown road. The venue has a big car park.

There is a team element to the championships event, with teams from clubs or schools competing for team medals in each category. Club members should wear club vests. All the medals for the Championships will be presented at the same time as the League awards – the date of the awards evening to be confirmed. Four are needed to form a team in each age group except U17 (three), U20 (three) and Senior Men (six).

The under-nine and U11 races use the small lap which includes a short hill, with the U9s completing one lap and the U11s two laps. The races for all ages from U13 upwards go onto the full course. The course has been slightly modified since it was first used last season, with a different start and finish point (away from the mud) and a longer lap which uses an extra field at the far end of the course. The big hill used last year has been split this time into two separate climbs with a short respite in between.

All runners should be sure to tie their shoes on very securely as the mud is very deep in places and will suck shoes off if they are not attached well to feet! Spectators are asked to keep the course clear during the races and listen to marshal’s instructions. Do not walk on the starting straight after 1pm.

The timetable is as follows:

12 noon to 1pm – Registration and course available for inspection.
1.00pm – U9 Boys and Girls, 1 Small Lap, 800 metres
1.10pm – U11 Boys, 2 Small Laps, 1,600 metres
1.20pm – U11 Girls, 2 Small Laps , 1,600 metres
1.30pm – U15 Boys & Girls, U17 Women, 1 Small Lap and 1 Long Lap, 4,050 metres
1.30pm – U20, Senior, Veteran Women, 1 Small Lap and 2 Long Laps, 7,300 metres
2.00pm – U13 Boys and Girls, 1 Large Lap, 3,250 metres
2.15pm – Short Course Men & Women, 1 Large Lap, 3,250 metres
2.15pm – U17 Men, 2 Large Laps, 6,500 metres
2.15pm – U20, Senior, Veteran Men, 3 Large Laps, 9,750 metres

Please ensure that you are at the start at least five minutes before your event.

If you have not yet competed in the series you will need to enter online by midnight on Thursday – the link is https://manxfellrunners.org/iomxc-entry-2023-2024. There are no entries on the day. If you have not already paid for this round you need to do so by bank transfer (details on the entry form), or by cash or by cheque payable to IOM Athletics Association at the venue between 12 noon and 1pm on Sunday.

If you have already entered and 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 number to the front. If you have lost your number and need a replacement (for a small charge) there will be a separate desk at registration at the venue.

Here are the course Maps.

David Griffiths
4 January 2024

Law Trust Cross-Country League Round 3 – Sunday 3rd December – Crossags

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Round 3 of the Law Trust Cross-Country League takes place at Crossags in Ramsey on Sunday 3rd December, and is hosted by Northern AC.

Any competitor who has not yet competed in the series must enter online by midnight on Thursday 30th November here.  A course map is also available to view here. There are no entries on the day, but your race number can be collected from registration if you have not competed in an earlier round. If you have not already paid for this round you need to do so by bank transfer (details on the entry form), or by cash or by cheque payable to IOM Athletics at registration between 12 noon and 1pm on Sunday.

Those who have already competed in the series should wear the same race number. If you have lost your number, a replacement is available from registration from 12 noon to 1pm for a £2 charge. If you have your race number and have already paid your entry you do not need to attend the registration desk.

The minimum age for competitors in the under-nine races is seven years on the day of the race.

The under-nine and U11 races use the bottom field. The courses for all ages from U13 upwards take the runners onto challenging terrain including a significant climb through fields and woodland with a shallow stream crossing.

There is no parking at the venue. Competitors are asked to park in the vicinity of Ramsey Grammar School and walk up Crossags Lane at Schoolhouse Corner. The tarmac lane crosses the golf course and leads to the pavilion at the campsite which will be race HQ. Allow 10 minutes for the walk.

A refreshment van will be on site selling tea / coffee etc, and there are toilet facilities, but the showers will not be in use.

The timetable is as follows:

12 noon to 1pm –          Registration

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 & short course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2,890 metres

1.45pm –                      U17 men & women – 1 small lap, 2 large laps – 5,320 metres

2.15pm –                      U15 boys & girls –2 large laps – 4,860 metres

2.15pm –                       U20/senior/veteran women – 3 large laps – 7,290 metres

2.15pm –                      U20/senior/veteran men – 4 large laps – 9,720 metres

Please report to the start line of your race at least five minutes before the start time. Spectators please keep off the racing line and obey instructions from marshals.

 

Isle of Man Athletics Employ Ollie Lockley as Development Officer

Posted on By Anthony Brand

It is with great pleasure that the Isle of Man Athletics Association announce that International 10km and Half Marathon runner Ollie Lockley has been appointed as their Athletics Development Officer for the next three years. Lockley was successful in a full appointments process and will start his new role on 1st December 2023.

The sport has seen some great success in recent years, however, there are number of structural improvements that are required for this success to be replicated in years to come. In addition the probability of a home Island Games in 2029 means much preparation needs to begin now, so the sport is ready to host a full athletics programme in six years’ time.

Lockley said “I’m delighted to be appointed as the new Isle of Man Athletics Development Officer. I have been an athlete myself for a number of years and I still aspire to further my running development alongside this job. I am very excited to work within this role, and look forward to the challenge and working collaboratively with the IOMAA, local clubs, and IOM Sport. I hope I can help people of all ages and abilities progress and enjoy their involvement in athletics, whether that be as an athlete, coach, official or volunteer. I strongly believe that as an Island we can flourish and continue to establish ourselves as an exceptional athletics community.”

Isle of Man Athletics Chairperson Helen Thompson said “We are thrilled with the appointment of Ollie Lockley as the new Athletics Development Officer. This appointment comes as part of our commitment to Island Athletics. Ollie brings a wealth of experience and expertise in athletics, his passion for sports development, dedication, and innovative approach makes him an ideal choice for this vital role. As the Athletics Development Officer, Ollie will be responsible for implementing and overseeing various programs aimed at nurturing and advancing the skills and potential of athletes on the Island. He will collaborate with sports clubs, community organizations and eventually schools to create a robust framework for the development of athletic talent.

IOMAA is excited to have Ollie join our team, and we believe that he will play a pivotal role in driving sports excellence and encouraging healthy competition among our athletes.”

Lockley will be present at a number of high profile meetings during the month of November to help prepare for his start as development officer. The IOMA wish to thank IOM Sport for their help in bringing this appointment about and also in funding 50% of the cost of the role. The whole athletics and sporting community wish him well in his new role and hope to see the success of his racing replicated in this role so ensuring the successful future of the sport.