Group Eleven Cross-Country League Round 2 – Sunday 1st December

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Round 2 of the Group Eleven Cross-Country League takes place at the Home of Rest for Old Horses on Richmond Hill, on Sunday 1st December. This round is organised by Manx Harriers, with the first race getting underway at 1pm. There is a large car park which should accommodate everyone (although car-sharing would be helpful if possible), and the on-site café will be open.

The course is likely to be muddy so runners should make sure shoelaces are well tied, and officials and spectators are advised to wear wellies and over trousers. The minimum age for competitors in the under-nine races is seven years on the day of the race.

Any competitor who has not yet entered the series must enter online by midnight on Friday here. A course map is also available here. There are no entries on the day, but your race number can be collected from registration. 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 small charge. If you have your race number and have already paid your entry you do not need to attend the registration desk.

Timetable and approximate distances are as follows:

12 noon to 1pm – Course open for inspection and registration desk open

1.00pm – Under 9 boys and girls, 800 metres (1 small lap)

1.10pm – Under 11 boys, 1,600 metres (2 small laps)

1.20pm – Under 11 girls, 1,600 metres (2 small laps)

1.30pm – Under 13 boys & girls, 3,300 metres (1 small lap, 1 large lap)

1.40pm – Short Course, 3,300 metres (1 small lap, 1 large lap)

1.40pm – Under 17 men & women, 5,800 metres (1 small lap, 2 large laps)

2.00pm – Under 15 boys & girls, 5,000 metres (2 large laps)

2.00pm – Senior & veteran women, 7,500 metres (3 large laps)

2.00pm – Junior, senior, veteran men, 10,000 metres (4 large laps)

Please report to the start line of your race at least five minutes before the start time. Spectators please keep off the racing line, obey instructions from marshals and keep off the starting straight after 1pm.

Group Eleven IOM Cross-Country League Round 1 – Port-e-Chee 03/11/24

Posted on By Anthony Brand

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.

Here are the full results

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

Law Trust Cross-Country League Round 2 – QE2 School 05/11/23

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The second round of the Law Trust Cross-Country League takes place on Sunday 5th November, and is hosted by Western AC at QE2 High School in Peel.

The under-nine and U11 races use the school field only. The races for all ages from U13 upwards also use the school field, but then take the runners onto adjacent farmland which is undulating with some short sharp ups and downs. Each full lap takes the runners back round the school field.

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:

12 noon to 1pm –          Registration

1.00pm –                      U9 boys – 1 small lap – 800 metres

1.05pm –                      U9 girls – 1 small lap – 800 metres

1.10pm –                      U11 boys – 2 small laps – 1,660 metres

1.20pm –                      U11 girls – 2 small laps – 1,660 metres

1.30pm –                      U13 boys & girls & Short Course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2,960 metres

1.30pm –                      U17 men & women – 1 small lap, 2 large laps – 5,160 metres

1.40pm –                      U15 boys & girls – 2 large laps – 4,300 metres

1.40pm –                       U20/senior/veteran women – 3 large laps – 6,500 metres

2.10pm –                      U20/senior/veteran men – 1 small lap, 4 large laps – 9,560 metres

If you have not yet entered the series you will need to enter online by midnight on Friday 3rd November – 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 school between 12 noon and 1pm on race day.

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 £2 charge) there will be a separate desk at registration at the venue.

If you entered prior to the first round but did not run at Port-e-Chee and have not picked up your race number you can collect it from the desk between 12 noon and 1pm on race day.

Here are the maps

 

David Griffiths

26 October 2023

 

IOM Athletics Track & Field League 2023

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The Isle of Man Track & Field League 2023 kicks off on Wednesday 5th April.

The league for U13s and above is 6 nights of competition with the 4 best weeks to count.

The competition dates are:

  • 5th April
  • 10th May
  • 24th May
  • 14th June
  • 28th June
  • 19th July

In addition, there is an extra night on Wednesday 29th March for U17 upwards only

The cost for entering the League is £20 if your entry is received by 27th March, after that date the cost increases to £25.

To allow the  League to run smoothly, please offer your assistance to help at at least 1 meeting.

Here is the entry form

Please return the completed form and bring with you to the sign on evenings at Manx Harriers Club House on 21st March or post to Tracey Bell at 42, Birch Hill Close, Onchan, Isle of Man. IM3 3DH along with cash or cheque made payable to Isle of Man Athletics Association. Alternatively you can transfer to Isle of Man Athletics Association – Sort Code 55-91-00 – Account 14347237. Please quote ref: Entrants name

If you have any questions please contact League Co-ordinator Tracey Bell on tbell@wm.im or 432133