Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League – Round 3 – Results & Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The last cross country event to be held at the stunning Nunnery Estate on the outskirts of Douglas was blessed with gloriously sunny and crisp winter weather on Sunday 1 December for the third round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man league. The event attracted 221 competitors.

Organising club Manx Harriers have used the venue for the past four seasons, and in the opinion of many the course devised by Andy Fox has been one of the best to be used for local cross country over the years. The performances of some of the island’s best cross country runners gave the course a fitting send-off at the weekend before the land is used for other purposes.

The senior race winners Ollie Lockley and Rachael Franklin, both members of the host club, have been in magnificent form on the roads recently, and both transitioned smoothly to the different demands of cross country.

Lockley, who recently beat Keith Gerrard’s Isle of Man Half Marathon record, had his first cross country outing of the winter and produced a masterclass as he dominated the 9.8-kilometre Senior Men’s race over four laps of the course. Initially shadowed by Alan Corlett, he soon pulled clear and stretched away to claim victory by more than two minutes with a superb exhibition of controlled running over the undulating estate grounds which include several sharp hills.

Corlett settled into a good rhythm in second place as he consolidated his progress back to top form after an injury layoff, and Orran Smith continued his outstanding year with yet another notable performance to take third place.

Dave Bignell has been impressive this winter and ran extremely well to take his second successive fourth place after a close contest with Sam Looker and Mike Garrett. Luke Phair was the first junior in ninth place, and the race attracted a bumper field of 51.

The women’s race was run over three laps, and Rachael Franklin was the victor with a quality run during which only the first three men were ahead of her. It was a surprise to see this summer’s triple Island Games gold medallist competing, as she had contested a 5k road race at Barrowford in Lancashire at 7pm on Saturday before travelling home on the overnight ferry. Frustrated at the icy roads which forced her to back off in that race, she was fresh enough to produce a typically strong performance on Sunday afternoon.

Eleanor Miklos is another athlete who has been in great form in several disciplines recently, and she took a fine second place finish ahead of Island Games distance runner Elissa Morris. Laura Dickinson produced a typically gritty run to take fourth ahead of Helen Taylor.

There were big competitor numbers for the Short Course races and these were convincingly won by David Cain and former Island Games distance runner Gail Griffiths.

The closest race of the day came in the u17 men’s category between Ieuan Owen and Corrin Leeming. There was rarely more than a stride or two between these two highly competitive athletes, and the battle went right to the line with both being given the same time but Ieuan just getting the verdict.

Ieuan was one of five athletes to complete a hat-trick of victories for the series, the others being Ryan Corrin (u15 boys), Lola Bass (u13 girls), Abi Clayton (u11 girls) and Timothy Perry (u9 boys). These five have all clinched victory in the league with a round to spare, but will be keen to double up with IOM Championship titles at the final event in January.

Battle resumed in the u15 girls race between Macy Hillier and Ella Crowe who have been matching strides all season, but this time Macy was the clear winner. Their friendly rivalry will resume at the Lancashire Championships in early January.

Lucas Stennett took his first win of the season in the u13 boys’ race, and he is one of many local athletes who should go well in Blackburn next month. Another is Freddie Crowe who won the u11 boys’ race to follow his excellent run in the Liverpool Cross Challenge at Sefton Park the previous week.

The under-nine girls’ race was dominated by Issy Kennaugh of Northern AC who beat all bar three of the boys with a top run.

A little further down the fields in the junior races, it is always good to see athletes progressing well during the season. Several achieved big improvements on their placings in previous rounds, including Alessio Costello and Piper Withington in the u11 girls and Gabe Campbell and Theo Quayle in the u9 boys.

Here are the full results.

• Grateful thanks go to all involved with putting on a superb afternoon of cross country action at this historic venue.
• Video footage of all the races has been posted on the manxathletics.com Facebook page.
• The Isle of Man Cross Country Championships, which also form the fourth and final round of the league, takes place on Sunday 19 January and will be hosted by Western AC at QE2 School in Peel. Full details will be available nearer the time.

David Griffiths
3 December 2019

Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League – Round 3

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The third round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man Athletics Cross Country League is hosted by Manx Harriers on Sunday 1 December 2019 and will be held at the Nunnery Estate on the outskirts of Douglas.

The timetable is as follows – please note it is a little different from earlier rounds:

  • 12.45pm to 2.00pm – Registration
  • 2.00pm U9 boys & girls – 1 small lap – 900 metres
  • 2.06pm U11 boys & girls – 2 small laps – 1,800 metres
  • 2.15pm U15 boys & girls, U17 women – 1 medium lap, 1 long lap – 4,200 metres
  • 2.30pm U13 boys & girls & short course – 1 small lap, 1 long lap – 3,500 metres
  • 2.30pm U17 men – 1 small lap, 2 long laps – 5,900 metres
  • 2.45pm U20, senior, veteran women – 3 long laps – 7,400 metres
  • 2.45pm U20, senior, veteran men – 4 long laps – 9,800 metres

Entry to the site for cars is from Old Castletown Road via the entrance on the Kewaigue side. There is a car park on the site with 95 spaces. Roads on the estate will all be one way.

Once the car park is full, or at 2.10pm, the road into the site will be closed and no vehicle allowed in as the course for the older age groups crosses the road twice. After 2.10pm the way out of the site is past the main house and out through the main entrance gates nearest to Douglas.

More parking is available at the Bowl car park near the Power Station and Pulrose Bridge. If parking here walk to the site along the road to the Civic Amenity site, take the footpath by Edmundson Electrical and follow it until you reach the side gate open to the estate. This should take about 10 minutes.

Race HQ is below the main house and by the ornamental lawns. Signing on is here, along with toilets and food van Barista Express.

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 there will be a separate desk at registration.

If you did not register prior to Rounds 1 or 2, you need to complete a registration form and pay at the desk on Sunday. Blank forms will also available at registration.

Here is the course map and Nunnery site map

Microgaming Cross Country League Round 3

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Nunnery Estate, Douglas – Sunday 11th December

Please note that the start for Under 9 and 11 races is separate to all other races.

All finishes are the same.

Download Map here.

Time  Age Group       Distance Course letters
2.00pm Under 9 Boys 1000m Start    MNOPABJKL Finish
2.05pm Under 9 Girls 1000m Start    MNOPABJKL Finish
2.10pm Under 11 Girls 2000m Start    MNOPABJKL
MNOPABJKL Finish
2.20pm Under 11 Girls 2000m Start    MNOPABJKL
MNOPABJKL Finish
2.30pm Under 13 B&G
Short Course		 2869m Start    ABJKLMNOPAB
CDEFGHIJKL Finish
2.45pm Under 15&17 G 3957m Start    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKL Finish
Under 17 Boys
U20/Sen/Vet Women		 5995m Start    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKL Finish
2.46pm U20/Sen/Vet Men 8985m Start    ABJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOP
ABCDEFGHIJKL Finish

 

Be Ready at start line 5 mins before your start time.

Listen out for whistle and instructions from officials.

 Spectators please stay off the racing line.

 T on map marks where TOILETS can be found.

Parking at the Nunnery.

There is limited parking on site. With parking at the side of the road there could be space for about 100 cars. As such, if competitors and spectators want an assured parking space why not park in Pulrose Power Station Car Park right by the bridge and power station. Walk to Middle River Industrial estate road opposite the Power Station (the road to the Civic Amenity and Recycling centre). There is a foot path on the left before you get to Edmundson Electrical and next to the MEA works that are opposite the power station. Take this path between the high metal fences bear left and follow until you get to the nunnery estate. This is about a 10 to 12 minute walk and brings you out near to the race HQ. The Power Station car park is free at the weekend.

Note – the entrance on the Douglas side of the estate will be open all day. The entrance on the Brewery side of the estate will close at 2.20pm. This is due to races crossing the estate road after that time. As such, if parking on the estate roads and car parks follow marshals instructions and ensure other vehicles can pass your car. Some designated turning points will be marked out – please do not park in these spaces.

Hot food will be available at the Race HQ near the Douglas end of the course along with toilets. These can also be found marked on the map at different points on the estate.

The registration desk will be open before the race as usual from 1pm at the latest.

Hopefully all will work well regarding parking if runners share transport or park away from the estate. If all is a success next year parking should be alleviated as a new car park is planned on the estate. Please do pass on feedback about the new course etc. to Andy Fox at andycfox@outlook.com