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

New Isle of Man Athletics Track & Field League

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Isle of Man Athletics is pleased to announce NEWFIELD as the lead sponsor for the new Isle of Man Athletics Track and Field League.

Newfield is a locally based company within the Island’s eGaming sector, with a focus on international sporting events. The company is committed to investing in and developing local talent on the Island and giving back to the community.

Previously athletes from each of the Island’s track & field clubs have competed separately in their club’s own track and field leagues.   This summer all athletes from age groups U13 upwards will compete against each other over six meetings at the NSC outdoor track culminating in the Isle of Man Track & Field Championships in August.

Mark Reynolds, Newfield’s Director & Chief Operating Officer stated, “We are very excited to be supporting the Isle of Man athletics clubs through its new development. We admire the passion and resilience Hannah and Isle of Man Athletics Committee have shown to bring this idea to fruition and we are delighted to be a part of the journey”.

Hannah Riley, Isle of Man Athletics Development Officer says, “The Isle of Man Track & Field League is a really exciting development for athletics on the Isle of Man and we are delighted that NEWFIELD are supporting it”.  She added “Newfield are a forward thinking, local firm, that support amazing initiatives including progressions in sport. I feel they are the perfect partner for this exciting development in Isle of Man Athletics”.

Signing on for the league will take place on:

Thursday 14th March at Manx Harriers Club House from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Thursday 20th March at Manx Harriers Club House from 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Competition Dates:

3rd April
1st May
22nd May
12th June
26th June
24th July

For further Information contact:

Hannah Riley, Isle of Man Athletics Development Officer – hannah@iomaa.info

Isle of Man Cross Country League 2018/19 – Round 4 – Isle of Man Championships

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The local cross country season reaches its climax on Sunday 20th January with the fourth and final round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man Cross Country League. The event also doubles as the 2019 Isle of Man Cross Country Championships, with the winners adding their names to the list of many of the greats of Manx athletics over the years.

This year’s event is hosted by Northern AC and will be held at their traditional venue of Crossags Farm in Ramsey. 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 the lane across the golf course.

The timetable is as follows:

12.45pm to 2pm Registration
2.00pm U9 boys & girls – 2 small laps – 860 metres
2.10pm U11 boys & girls – 3 small laps – 1290 metres
2.25pm U13 boys & girls & short course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2600 metres
2.35pm

U15 boys & girls, U17 women – 2 large laps – 4660 metres

U17 men, U20, senior, veteran women – 3 large laps – 6990 metres

U20, senior, veteran men – 4 large laps – 9320 metres

The short course race is not part of the Championships but is a round of the league as usual.

Here is a map of the course.

Please note that there is a fallen tree in the uphill wooded section of the course, which will require care to negotiate. You are advised to arrive early to allow time to check out the course before the 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. If you have lost your number and need a replacement there will be a separate desk at registration.

Alan Corlett and Rachael Franklin have dominated the senior races at the championships in recent years, and have won all three rounds of this season’s league. Corlett, champion for the past four years, may have Ollie Lockley for competition as he did at last year’s event, and if both men line up it should be a cracking contest. The women’s race looks a little more clear-cut with Rachael Franklin hot favourite to take her sixth victory in seven years – she missed the other through injury.

The Presentation evening has been confirmed for Friday 22nd March at the Claremont Hotel in Douglas. Medals for the championships, and trophies and finishers awards for the league will be presented that evening. Save the date now!

David Griffiths

Northern League 2017

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Team Isle of Man will once again be competing in Div 2W of the Northern League.  Last year we did really well however we found ourselves facing demotion and it was only through the amazing efforts of our athletes on the last match did we manage to stay in the current league.

The Northern League also provides an ideal opportunity for our U17 athletes to compete at a level, which whilst challenging, is well within their capability and to enjoy being part of a team which has been a starting point for many of our elite athletes, many of which still compete. If you are a new U17 and would like to have a chat about the Northern League and what it offers then please get in touch.

In order to get a greater understanding of the athletes available for each trip I would ask that you complete and return a Northern League Commitment Form.  I would also ask that you do this a soon as you can.

This year the matches are as follows:

Match 1 – Saturday, 6 May – Leigh (day trip)
Match 2 – Sunday, 4 June – the Oval, Bebington (1 night stop)
Match 3 – Sunday, 9 July – Wavertree (1 night stop)
Match 4 – Saturday, 5 August – Blackburn (day trip)

Once I have an understanding of the numbers travelling I will be able to provide more details regarding costs.  It has however been agreed that your Club will again fund you to 50% of the total costs.

The Northern League is for FULLY PAID UP FIRST CLAIM MEMBERS of Manx Harriers, Western AC and Northern AC. If you wish to be considered then please ensure that you have paid your annual membership fees to you Club and that your Club has paid your EA fee.  Checks are made and the last thing we want is to have points docked because you haven’t paid your fees!

If you are an Official and available to join us then there are two funded spaces from each Club.  Please also complete the Commitment Form so I can organise who the officials will be for each match. Remember we need 1 timekeeper, 1 track official and 4 field officials one of which must be a level 2B.

If you know of anyone who would be interested in taking part then please pass this information onto them.

I would like to thank you in advance for returning your forms promptly!

Anthony Brand
Team Manager

Inter Counties Cross Country 2017 – Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Twelve Isle of Man athletes – seven from Manx Harriers and five from Northern AC – turned out in the colours of Lancashire at the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships 2017. It was the biggest-ever Manx representation in the Lancashire team at the event. There was local interest in seven of the ten races, which were held at a new venue at Prestwold Hall just outside Loughborough.

Many of the athletes suffered travel problems the day before the race, and some on the return journey. Nevertheless all 12, six of whom were debuting at county level, ran extremely well and produced some impressive results on an undulating course that became very muddy in places as the day progressed.

Participation in the event is by selection only, so there was quality right through the fields. The majority of the races had fields ranging from 260 to just over 300, with the exception of the junior women which had 183. Distances ranged from 3 kilometres for the under-13s to 12k for the senior men.

The first race with Manx interest was the senior women’s event, in which Elissa Morris ran with great commitment to place 113th on her county debut. Gail Griffiths finished 126th, a fine run and remarkably her highest ever finish on her eighth appearance at the event.

Next came the u17 women’s race in which Laura Dickinson executed a well-judged race to finish in 100th place, a really impressive run from a hard-working athlete. The junior (u20) women followed, a race in which Becky Storrie placed 34th and Katie Astin 44th.  Becky’s performance on county debut was arguably the run of the day from the local contingent to complete a highly successful winter season, while Katie continued her comeback from injury with a solid run.

The u13 girls followed, with another county debutant Ella Crowe running extremely well to place 194th in a field of over 300. The experience of running in such a competitive and tightly-packed field will be invaluable as she continues her development.

The first male race involving the locals followed with David Mullarkey placing 48th and George Dickinson 129th in the u17 men’s category. David, although not quite at his best, still ran with typical determination and plenty of quality, while George produced a really notable result to finish well in the top half of the field having only received a late promotion from reserve three days before the race to make his county debut.

The penultimate race was the u15 girls, featuring three of the Northern AC team who won the Lancashire title in January. Lorna Spiers finished 148th, while debutants Phoebe Coates and Kate Cashin came home in 182nd and 236th places. Kate only received her call-up a few days before the event. All ran with total commitment and should be proud of their efforts.

The final race of the day, as is traditional, was the senior men’s event. Alan Corlett, back from a recent injury problem, proved that he is getting close to full fitness again with a run of trademark guts and determination. Ever the team man, his 98th place helped the Lancashire team to pack well and place seventh in the team race.

David Griffiths