Well it has certainly been a busy month and holiday period. So much so that I just do not seem to have had time to write any more on the blog. However, after the events of yesterday I felt I had to get the laptop out and say a little. Below is the early report sent to Isle of man newspapers today a fuller one will be in the Manx Independent later in the week :-
Manx Harriers Magnificent Seven.
Manx Harrier athletes won 7 medals at the Lancshire Cross Country Championshps on Saturday 5/01/07. The party of 28 competitors, spectators and officials all acquitted themselves fantastically but the medalists take pride of place. Sarah Astin was the first to make the podium in the under 15 grils race winning by nearly a minute. Her team would also have won a medal had it not been for the late withdrawal due to injury of Polly Rogerson. All in the party hope that Polly is well and running again soon. Next onto the podium was Sarah's sister Gemma who ran very well to claim the Bronze medal in the Under 17 Ladies event and lead her team mates of Rachael Franklin and Bronwen Kaneen to the silver medal. In the Senior Ladies event Gail Griffiths came 7th overall and took the silver in the ladies over 40 race. This is a great result and underlines Gail's development in the last 18 months or so.
The senior men's event boasted the biggest field of the day by far with 119 finishers including 8 A teams. Keith Gerrard dominated the race winning by over a minute. He lead the team of John Halligan 7th, Kevin Loundes 12th, Ed Gumbley 16th, Nigel Armstrong 17th, and Darren Gray 26th. to the team Gold ahead of reigning champions Blackburn. This is the first time the local club have won the trophy since 2004 and is the 7th time we believe that the team gold has been brought back to the island. The medals were rounded off by silver for Andy Fox in the over 45 race.
A few other points worth mentioning.
The senior ladies team of Gail Griffiths 7th, Sarah Nelson 18th and Bridget Kaneen 23rd. came 4th in their team race only 7 points from the podium.
The Senior men's team would still have won Gold without Keith's first place and counting 7th. finisher Gianni Epifani in his place. Gianni and Andy would have counted in the second placed team had they been in that club and similar can be said in addition to those two of Mike and Russell regarding the third placed team.
Indeed the second 6 Manx Harriers men scored 324 points - Gianni 26, Andy 31, Mike 33, Russell 42, Dave 87 and Les 105. If B teams were counted in the competition this would have placed the lads in 6th. position.
Also worthy of a mention is Katie Astin in the under 11s. Katie only just makes the age group and so was one of the youngest in the field. She is obviously able to follow in the footsteps of her older sisters and finished in 6th. place only 30 seconds behind the winner.
I am not 100% sure but would estimate the following recieved Lancashire call up letters for the intercounties. Only those in the first 5 are ensured of a place but the others will be in line for selection for this prestigious event.
Sarah Astin 1st, Hannah Scarlett 11th, Gemma Astin 3rd, Rachael Franklin 9th, Gail Griffiths 7th, Keith Gerrard 1st, John Halligan 7th and Kevin Loundes 12th.
A few extra points of interest :-
* It was noticeable that the Manx Harriers A team was the only team in the men's event to include no vets 40 or over! Indeed the squad contained 5 athletes between the ages of 21 and 27. This looks good for the short to medium term future.
* Of the 119 finishers in the mens event 77 were Vets.
* Of the 45 finishers in the Ladies event 36 were Vets.
* Most of the junior events had fields of 25+ which is healthy enough.
* Under 20 men and women were very much depleted.
* As for Manx Harriers we had 10 youngsters entered - 1 U13 Boy, 1 U11 Girl, 1 U13 Girl, 4 U15 Girls and 3 U17 Girls.
I feel we have to be concerned as to the serious decline in interest in middle and long distance running among the young in general and also on the Isle of Man. This event may not be the best barometer for the state of Manx Cross Country in the Junior Ranks as other factors like time, proximity to the festive season and cost can come in to play. But it may be worth asking what more as a sport can we do to tackle this question ie. How can we get as many youngsters involved as possible?
However I feel we have to finish on a high after such a great day yesterday. It was great to see the years rolled back and a Manx Harriers team bring back the Senior Men's shield to the Island. Lets hope this squad stick at it and take the 7 titles we have now won in this age category (I think - perhaps the stattos out there will give the full info!!!) into double figures or more.
Lastly - Not quite sure what the full total of Manxies at Blackburn was with families and supporters being there also but it was not just a magnificent 7 more like 30!!!
A full report noting all competitors and their performances will be posted tomorrow or Tuesday and will appear in Thursday's Independent.
More details to follow soon regarding the English National XC Champs on 23/02/08.
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Glen Lough and Euro Champs tomorrow
A busy day for Cross Country tomorrow Sunday.
Glen Lough hosts the 3rd. round of the Manx Gas Challenge league. Last season Glen Lough hosted and enjoyable but very muddy Championships. I would say the weather at present suggests we may be in for more of the same tomorrow. Long spikes may be the order of the day although there are a number of river crossings on the course as well as a rough stoney track which will not take a spike easily. perhaps 12mms will be a good compromise. The numbers running will be interesting. It is the time of year for colds etc. indeed my participation tomorrow is being decided upon in the morning!!! So ther may be a few new names creeping into the top 5 ot 6 of the senior race at least. All the best to those competing,
Keith Gerrard also makes his debut in the European Cross Country Champs in the Under 23 category. Keith has been getting back to form with the help of his new coach for a few months now. It will be really great to see him have a good run. His GB team must be in with a good chance of a team medal as Britain have a good record in these championships in the team events. However, I know the main issue in Keith's mind will be a top result in the championships. When he ran in his first World Cross in I think 2004 as a junior he came 50th and was first Briton and 8th. European on the day. I'm not saying he will be in the first 10 tomorrow but it must be the kind of potential he has with a year or two left in this age group. Lets hope he has a great day as does Manx Cross Country at Glen Lough and in Torro in Spain.
Glen Lough hosts the 3rd. round of the Manx Gas Challenge league. Last season Glen Lough hosted and enjoyable but very muddy Championships. I would say the weather at present suggests we may be in for more of the same tomorrow. Long spikes may be the order of the day although there are a number of river crossings on the course as well as a rough stoney track which will not take a spike easily. perhaps 12mms will be a good compromise. The numbers running will be interesting. It is the time of year for colds etc. indeed my participation tomorrow is being decided upon in the morning!!! So ther may be a few new names creeping into the top 5 ot 6 of the senior race at least. All the best to those competing,
Keith Gerrard also makes his debut in the European Cross Country Champs in the Under 23 category. Keith has been getting back to form with the help of his new coach for a few months now. It will be really great to see him have a good run. His GB team must be in with a good chance of a team medal as Britain have a good record in these championships in the team events. However, I know the main issue in Keith's mind will be a top result in the championships. When he ran in his first World Cross in I think 2004 as a junior he came 50th and was first Briton and 8th. European on the day. I'm not saying he will be in the first 10 tomorrow but it must be the kind of potential he has with a year or two left in this age group. Lets hope he has a great day as does Manx Cross Country at Glen Lough and in Torro in Spain.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Great Racing at Crossag's
The Crossag's course again proved a real test and one on which a number of athletes excelled.
It was interesting to see the Astin Sisters racing against each other over the same distance. Both ran well with Gemma coming out on top. The younger age groups saw some good racing with wins for Danielle Barton, Jamie Garrett, Rebecca Nathan, Will Morris, Alice Ashe, Jack Garrett, Sarah and Gemm, and Ryan Fairclough.
The short course race was very competitive with a tie between Conor Delanbaque and Michael Haslett.
The ladies race saw another fine run from Gail Griffiths, with Bridget Kaneen taking second ahead of Ann Cain who in turn only just got the better of Betahny Clague.
The men's race saw some fine running from John Halligan who won without feeling on the best of form. Ed Gumbley and Darren Gray had a fine battle for second place which Ed just won. Both imporving dramatically on the first race at Noble's Park. Nigel's run in 4th. was great bearing in mind his run last weekend in the half marathon. Gianni, Tony and Andy were all quite close and showed the strength in depth in the senior races in the league at present. It was nice to see Tony and Andy both back in XC action. (See manxathletics forum for details of positions, times etc.).
Dave Newton and Phil Cain had a great battle in the over 50 race with only 7 seconds between them at the end. Peter Cooper was the first of the Vet 55s ahead of Les Brown and Alan Pilling.
All in all it was a great race with battles all the way through.
The course was as dry as I have seen it in however long I've been running on it!!! I would imagine it will be much wetter/muddier for the champs in January. Also the course will probably be longer for the seniors to be nearer to the championship distances of around 10km or further.
The next race at Glen Lough in December is already a mouthwatering affair bearing in mind there are a few faces to add wo were not running today like Kevin Loundes and possibly Simon Skillicorn, Mike Garrett and in the vets Murray Lambden.
By the way yesterday in the Gateshead XC Keith Gerrard was 16th. in the men's race and 2nd. under 23 section. He is quite pleased with his run.
Also the details for the Lancs XC Champs. trip are listed on the athletics forum and will hpefully be on websites in the week.
It was interesting to see the Astin Sisters racing against each other over the same distance. Both ran well with Gemma coming out on top. The younger age groups saw some good racing with wins for Danielle Barton, Jamie Garrett, Rebecca Nathan, Will Morris, Alice Ashe, Jack Garrett, Sarah and Gemm, and Ryan Fairclough.
The short course race was very competitive with a tie between Conor Delanbaque and Michael Haslett.
The ladies race saw another fine run from Gail Griffiths, with Bridget Kaneen taking second ahead of Ann Cain who in turn only just got the better of Betahny Clague.
The men's race saw some fine running from John Halligan who won without feeling on the best of form. Ed Gumbley and Darren Gray had a fine battle for second place which Ed just won. Both imporving dramatically on the first race at Noble's Park. Nigel's run in 4th. was great bearing in mind his run last weekend in the half marathon. Gianni, Tony and Andy were all quite close and showed the strength in depth in the senior races in the league at present. It was nice to see Tony and Andy both back in XC action. (See manxathletics forum for details of positions, times etc.).
Dave Newton and Phil Cain had a great battle in the over 50 race with only 7 seconds between them at the end. Peter Cooper was the first of the Vet 55s ahead of Les Brown and Alan Pilling.
All in all it was a great race with battles all the way through.
The course was as dry as I have seen it in however long I've been running on it!!! I would imagine it will be much wetter/muddier for the champs in January. Also the course will probably be longer for the seniors to be nearer to the championship distances of around 10km or further.
The next race at Glen Lough in December is already a mouthwatering affair bearing in mind there are a few faces to add wo were not running today like Kevin Loundes and possibly Simon Skillicorn, Mike Garrett and in the vets Murray Lambden.
By the way yesterday in the Gateshead XC Keith Gerrard was 16th. in the men's race and 2nd. under 23 section. He is quite pleased with his run.
Also the details for the Lancs XC Champs. trip are listed on the athletics forum and will hpefully be on websites in the week.
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Crossag's is this Sunday
Yes the next race in the Manx Gas season is on Sunday. It should be the usual start times etc. so around 1.30pm to report and 2pm for the under 9s followed by under 11 races.The older age groups then follow. Now I cannot be certain this will be the programme but it was what the IOM AA tried to ensure a few years ago. I guess if there are any changes we will find out via the Manx Independent on Thursday.
The venue entrance is between the two sites of Ramsey Grammar School. NAC usually place a sign at the end of the lane on the TT course so you should be able to identify the correct lane quite easily. The course is on the farm/campsite at the end of the lane. There is a fair amount of parking but you would be advised to get there early and share lifts to ensure all get a park. The venue has changing and toilet facilities and NAC usually put on some refreshments - hot tea etc.
I hope you've done some hill work ready for the Crossag's farm course. It is one of the more traditional courses on the Manx gas circuit. There are some fast flat sections - although these will be muddy if it rains between now and Sunday. There is a good Hill and a fast/fairly steep down hill section also. The bulk of the course is on agricultural land with the added feature of at least one fence/stile to negotiate!!! There is some uneven ground as you would expect on any XC course so competitors need to keep their wits about them especially on the down hill sections.
All in all it should prove a great test for all who decide to give it a go.
Sorry not to add to this blog for a while (excuses time) - loads on at work and then away over half term hols. Hopefully will keep up with posts a little more regulalrly from now on.
The venue entrance is between the two sites of Ramsey Grammar School. NAC usually place a sign at the end of the lane on the TT course so you should be able to identify the correct lane quite easily. The course is on the farm/campsite at the end of the lane. There is a fair amount of parking but you would be advised to get there early and share lifts to ensure all get a park. The venue has changing and toilet facilities and NAC usually put on some refreshments - hot tea etc.
I hope you've done some hill work ready for the Crossag's farm course. It is one of the more traditional courses on the Manx gas circuit. There are some fast flat sections - although these will be muddy if it rains between now and Sunday. There is a good Hill and a fast/fairly steep down hill section also. The bulk of the course is on agricultural land with the added feature of at least one fence/stile to negotiate!!! There is some uneven ground as you would expect on any XC course so competitors need to keep their wits about them especially on the down hill sections.
All in all it should prove a great test for all who decide to give it a go.
Sorry not to add to this blog for a while (excuses time) - loads on at work and then away over half term hols. Hopefully will keep up with posts a little more regulalrly from now on.
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Noble's Park - Condition of Course
I went for a trot round Noble's tonight. The course is firm under foot with some mud (not much) and puddles near where you turn off the top fields passed the pavilion to head down by the old cattery. A second muddy patch is at the bottom of the course where you turn up from Upper Duke's road towards the BMX track just behind the old cattery. At present you could easily run the course in fell shoes and even road trainers however if we get some rain before the weekend and a few feet cutting up the course it could change. But the going is good to firm at present!!!
There are some changes due to building works that the organisers will need to take into account. Where you turn off the upper field (soccer/cricket pitches) by the pavilion there is a fenced section where the builders are storing breeze blocks etc. This will need some changes to the start etc. to ensure the runners can get round it and down by the cattery. Also where you enter the upper fields has altered too. The dog exercise area has also gone. So you can now run down the wall that separates the park from St. NInian's church grounds as no fence is in the way. So back to the route the course always used to follow there then!!!
By the way. I hope I go a fair bit quicker on Sunday than tonight. I think the description would be pedestrian at best!!!
Hope the above helps - no more posts until after the race - best of luck to you all!!!
There are some changes due to building works that the organisers will need to take into account. Where you turn off the upper field (soccer/cricket pitches) by the pavilion there is a fenced section where the builders are storing breeze blocks etc. This will need some changes to the start etc. to ensure the runners can get round it and down by the cattery. Also where you enter the upper fields has altered too. The dog exercise area has also gone. So you can now run down the wall that separates the park from St. NInian's church grounds as no fence is in the way. So back to the route the course always used to follow there then!!!
By the way. I hope I go a fair bit quicker on Sunday than tonight. I think the description would be pedestrian at best!!!
Hope the above helps - no more posts until after the race - best of luck to you all!!!
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Cross Country The Meeting Place For Distance Runners
Why is it that Cross Country is such an interesting and exciting sport?
Why is the Manx Scene so successful at the moment?
I guess I could go on asking such questions and coming up with possible answers. I'd like to share a few thoughts though before we get into the days leading up to the first event and speculation as to who will win!!!
Cross country really is the meeting ground for middle distance track runners 800/1500m types, distance runners on the track at 5km, 10km, S/c and road athletes at similar distances or half or marathon together with fell runners and even the odd cross country specialist. Of course you could add a few walkers and even sprinters to the list also. All can use the events as a way of measuring fitness over the winter as they train for their main events later in the winter or even summer. For some XC is the end in itself but for many it provides the building blocks for what is to come. That is why you will see athletes build through the season and improve race upon race - so don't expect everyone to be firing on all cylinders next Sunday!!!
The season gives plenty of course variety from flat and fast (like Noble's Park) to hilly and muddy (like Crossag's Farm) with plenty of variation in between - again good prearation for so many other events athletes build towards.
Of course with so many athletes from different disciplines it is difficult to win cross country races. So often a league will have more than one race winner as it progresses over the season. Also this difficulty for an individual to dominate has lead in the UK to the team element being so important. Individuals look to improve their position and help their team to win the league or improve it's position etc. Out of the 300 or so in a UK lge race only 1 can win or 3 get into the podium positions but the team comp. gives something to run for other than just individual aims for a large number of athletes.
To that end we tend to have to travel off island -there are just not enough athletes to bring about team competition in the Manx Gas Challenge. Manx Harriers will be travelling to Sefton Park on the 24th. November to run in the joint Liverpool and District Cross Country Union and Euro Cross Country trial race. It would be great if the Harriers could finish a team in that race!!! Also we should have teams in the Lancs and National XCs in January and February respectively. I will post details soon about these events. However in a year when we have seen disappointment at the lack of success of our track teams let us not forget Manx Harriers senior men came 2nd. in the Lancs Champs team race (6 to count), 22nd. in the English National Champs 6 man race and 11th in the 9 man race. Fine performances by anyone's standards.
Last point which I hope you might find of interest - one of my training group was telling us last week at training how when he was at school he hated cross country. He used to walk as slowly round Noble's Park as he could and used to get told he was a disgrace by the PE staff for his lack of effort. I can tell you that nowadays things have changed so much as the XC bug has really bitten. I won't say who it is now - but it'll be interesting to see where he finishes on Sunday and I may give you a clue as to his identity next week - unless you want to see if you can guess!!!!
By the way - Murray told me to keep posts short - I'll try to remember that next time!!!
Why is the Manx Scene so successful at the moment?
I guess I could go on asking such questions and coming up with possible answers. I'd like to share a few thoughts though before we get into the days leading up to the first event and speculation as to who will win!!!
Cross country really is the meeting ground for middle distance track runners 800/1500m types, distance runners on the track at 5km, 10km, S/c and road athletes at similar distances or half or marathon together with fell runners and even the odd cross country specialist. Of course you could add a few walkers and even sprinters to the list also. All can use the events as a way of measuring fitness over the winter as they train for their main events later in the winter or even summer. For some XC is the end in itself but for many it provides the building blocks for what is to come. That is why you will see athletes build through the season and improve race upon race - so don't expect everyone to be firing on all cylinders next Sunday!!!
The season gives plenty of course variety from flat and fast (like Noble's Park) to hilly and muddy (like Crossag's Farm) with plenty of variation in between - again good prearation for so many other events athletes build towards.
Of course with so many athletes from different disciplines it is difficult to win cross country races. So often a league will have more than one race winner as it progresses over the season. Also this difficulty for an individual to dominate has lead in the UK to the team element being so important. Individuals look to improve their position and help their team to win the league or improve it's position etc. Out of the 300 or so in a UK lge race only 1 can win or 3 get into the podium positions but the team comp. gives something to run for other than just individual aims for a large number of athletes.
To that end we tend to have to travel off island -there are just not enough athletes to bring about team competition in the Manx Gas Challenge. Manx Harriers will be travelling to Sefton Park on the 24th. November to run in the joint Liverpool and District Cross Country Union and Euro Cross Country trial race. It would be great if the Harriers could finish a team in that race!!! Also we should have teams in the Lancs and National XCs in January and February respectively. I will post details soon about these events. However in a year when we have seen disappointment at the lack of success of our track teams let us not forget Manx Harriers senior men came 2nd. in the Lancs Champs team race (6 to count), 22nd. in the English National Champs 6 man race and 11th in the 9 man race. Fine performances by anyone's standards.
Last point which I hope you might find of interest - one of my training group was telling us last week at training how when he was at school he hated cross country. He used to walk as slowly round Noble's Park as he could and used to get told he was a disgrace by the PE staff for his lack of effort. I can tell you that nowadays things have changed so much as the XC bug has really bitten. I won't say who it is now - but it'll be interesting to see where he finishes on Sunday and I may give you a clue as to his identity next week - unless you want to see if you can guess!!!!
By the way - Murray told me to keep posts short - I'll try to remember that next time!!!
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