2022/23 Law Trust IOM Cross-Country League Round 3 – Horses Home

Posted on By Anthony Brand

A brand new cross-country course was unveiled by organising club Manx Harriers on Sunday 4th December, and it proved to be a winner.

The Horses Home on Richmond Hill was a superb venue all-round, with excellent on-site facilities and a warm welcome from both staff and four-legged residents. The course itself was extremely testing, glutinous mud in places and one extremely steep hill offering a true challenge to all the competitors.

The worst conditions were in the finishing field which was a complete morass, and several of the competitors lost shoes both there and on other parts of the course.

The honour of being first to race on the course fell to the under-nines who completed one short lap of 800 metres which included a short sharp hill in the second half of the lap. Boys and girls raced together in this age group, and there was an exciting finish in the boys’ race where Elliott Barron just pipped Leighton Curphey to the line to take his first win. Charlotte Postlethwaite won the girls race after finishing fifth last time, a great performance!

The dominant athletes in the u11 races over two short laps were Seamus Hall and Eve Martin, who each completed a hat-trick of wins for the series. It’s a measure of the quality in this age group that Cam Eyres and Gabe Campbell were both within 20 seconds of the winner, and Poppy Clayton and Bella Quaye ran equally well in the girls race.

Next away were the u13 boys and girls and short course competitors, who completed one short lap followed by one lap of the full course. Starting alongside were the u17 men and women, and u20 women, who completed one short lap and two full laps.

These races were a true test of the strength and fitness of the competitors, with the leading school-age competitors hoping to impress the selectors of the Isle of Man Schools team to contest the English Schools Championships later in the winter.

Harry Stennett was another to complete three wins in a row as he dominated the u13 boys’ race with another excellent display of fast and controlled running. Max Hammal and Zac Woodward have both impressed this season and coped admirably with the toughest course they have raced on so far.

Amelie Geldart and Olivia Martin had a win each in the previous rounds, and this time it was KWC student Amelie who came out on top. She has a lot of potential. Faith Teare also had a cracking run for third place only six second adrift of Olivia. The field of 18 for the u13 girls’ race equalled the league record.

The u17 runners, and the sole u20 woman, had a real test of stamina as they faced two full laps which each included the infamous hill as well as many very sticky sections. The quality in the men’s field especially is arguably the best we have seen in this age group, and Sam Perry’s class told again as he took his third win. However both Charlie Teare and series newcomer Oscar Gaylor were well within range of him this time and should all do very well if they contest the Lancashire Championship in January.

Catherine Perry made it a double success for the family by winning the u20 women’s race ahead of u17 race winner Maddie McMullan, who was followed by one-shoe Lola Bass – one of many to suffer that fate.

The short course races were won by Ste Quayle and Joanne Schade, the latter having to work hard to catch and pass Hollie Quaye.

It was then time for the final race start, with the u15s racing two laps of 2,500 metres, the senior and veteran women three, and the U20, senior and veteran men four. It was quite a sight to see this mass of competitors tackling the already notorious hill on the opening lap.

Junior Ryan Corrin initially led, but it wasn’t long before supreme endurance athlete Orran Smith took over at the front where he was to remain. The initial focus was on the u15 races, and these were won by two very classy runners Harris White and Holly Salter, both of whom should go well if they contest the Lancashire event. Harris is a newcomer this season, while Holly has come up through the age groups.

Laura Dickinson and Hannah Moore were together at the head of the women’s race on lap one, but the latter forged ahead on the second circuit and took her third win with a typically strong run, being especially impressive on the hills. Amber Carridge continues to impress in third place, as did Holly Sumner who stepped up from the short course to take fourth.

Orran Smith, training hard for his epic Pennine Way challenge next month, was supreme throughout the men’s race, and was one of the few to run every step of the hill on every lap. Mark Burman had won the previous two races and ran very well again, but had to concede to Orran this time.

Chris Killey had to work hard to stay clear of Alex Bell to take third, and Oliver Chambers and Ryan Corrin somehow raised a sprint finish through the mud with Oliver just getting to the line first for fifth – Ryan was first junior ahead of Harry Kneen and Ayrton Withington who were both excellent.

Here are the full results.

  • Grateful thanks go to the officials from Manx Harriers, IOM Athletics and the many volunteer marshals.
  • Thanks also to the Horses Home for being such great hosts.
  • The fourth and final round (incorporating the IOM Championships) takes place at QE2 School in Peel on Sunday 15 January, with racing getting underway at 1pm.

David Griffiths

7 December 2022

2022/23 Law Trust IOM Cross-Country League Round One – Port-e-Chee

Posted on By Anthony Brand

The new Law Trust-sponsored cross-country season began on Sunday 16th October in perfect autumn conditions at Port-e-Chee Meadow in Douglas. This opening round was organised by Manx Harriers.

A total of 212 competitors, ranging in age from seven to 70-plus, made a fine sight as they took to the rugby fields and the adjacent farmland in good underfoot conditions.

We enjoyed a real glimpse into the future of Manx athletics with the performances of some of the athletes in the younger age groups. Under-17s Sam Perry and Gethin Owen, and u20 Ryan Corrin, led all the seniors for two laps of the main race of the day and clearly demonstrated what quality athletes they are.

The u17s raced over two full laps of the course, a distance of 6,000 metres, while Corrin tackled the full three-lap distance of 9,000 metres for the first time. They were all well clear of leading senior Mark Burman during his first two laps.

Experienced campaigner Burman took the lead on the third and final circuit, but Corrin rallied superbly to finish only three seconds down on the winner. He pulled away from a challenge from third-placed Nick Colburn in the final straight. Burman was delighted to win, acknowledging that he had to work very hard to first catch and then hold off his younger rival.

Chris Killey continued his fine year with an excellent fourth place just ahead of Nhlanhla Nzama, with Alex Bell in sixth. He was followed by the second junior Charlie Swales with one of his best runs to date.

The aforementioned Perry and Owen were the stars in the u17 race, the former winning by a margin of 18 seconds, and the race was packed with quality with all eight athletes running with real class. Corbyn Schade was impressive in taking third place ahead of the ever-consistent Charlie Teare, with Dom Dunwell and newcomer Oscar Gaylor also looking very strong.

There were new names in cross-country at the head of the two-lap women’s race which is always good to see. Hannah Moore is a quality all-round endurance athlete as she demonstrated with victory in her first cross-country race since her schooldays. She came through strongly on the second lap to win by the convincing margin of 52 seconds.

In second place was Amber Carridge, who looks to be a very good athlete to add to her other sporting talents. She overhauled Laura Dickinson near the end to take the runner-up spot. Veteran 55 athlete Gail Sheeley looked to be back in good form with fourth place ahead of race-walking specialists Erika Kelly and Mia Dunwell – the latter running in the junior (u20) category.

The u13 boys and girls, and u15 girls, ran alongside the older short course competitors, and this race showcased the talents of Harry Stennett. He beat all the senior athletes to lead his race home, holding off a strong late surge from short course winner Ste Quayle who saw for himself how good the young Northern AC runner is. Max Hammel was impressive with second place in the u13 boys’ race.

Holly Salter has been running consistently well for some years now and won the u15 girls’ contest with an excellent run, with Abi Clayton also going very well. The u13 girls’ race was won by another league newcomer Amelie Geldart who looks to have plenty of promise.

The women’s short course race was won by Becky Watterson who continued where she left off last season. This was her first serious race since the birth of her second child six months ago and was a great comeback.

One of the best runs of the day came from Cai Lewis who looked very good indeed in winning the u15 boys race by a big margin. Victory in the concurrently-run u17 women’s race went to Maddie McMullan who is always so consistent.

The two youngest age groups are the under-nines and u11s, and they had begun the afternoon’s entertainment. Seamus Hall and Eve Martin were the star turns in the elder age group race run over two laps of the main field, each winning by big margins. Several athletes were transitioning into this age group with its longer distance, and all did very well indeed.

The under-nine races over one lap were much closer, Leighton Curphey winning a very exciting boys’ race by just one second from Elliott Barron with Jack Teare third. This should be a great contest as the season goes on.

Maisy-Jo Faragher ran a great race to take the girls’ honours by seven seconds from Alice Quirk, who was just one second clear of Xenia Munoz-Fite.

The full results are here

  • Grateful thanks go to the team of officials who worked so hard to set up the infrastructure for the season, and to all those who assisted at the venue on both Saturday and Sunday.
  • Thanks also to Douglas Rugby Club for the use of their clubhouse and car park, and to the farmer for use of the fields.
  • Round 2 takes place at Crossags Farm in Ramsey on Sunday 6 November with racing getting underway at 1pm.

David Griffiths
18 October 2022

 

Law Trust IOM Cross Country League Round 1 – 16/10/22

Posted on By Anthony Brand

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

The course is largely on agricultural grassland which is fairly flat with one hill on each full lap. The senior races will be run over slightly reduced distances for the first round, with mileages likely to increase later in the season.

The senior, veteran and junior men’s race will be over three full laps of the course, a distance of approximately nine kilometres. The senior, veteran and junior women, and under-17 men, will race over two full laps, a distance of around six kilometres. Click on the links for full details of all race distances from under-nines upwards together with the course map.  The minimum age for competitors is seven years on the day of the race.

All competitors must make arrangements to collect their race numbers from the Sports Institute (upstairs room) at the NSC from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday. If you cannot attend you should arrange to have your number collected for you. Anyone who has not yet paid for their entry by bank transfer must pay when collecting their race number on Friday. Payment can be made by cash, or by cheque payable to IOM Athletics.

There is a large parking area at Douglas Rugby Club which should accommodate everyone on Sunday. An alternative is to park in the vicinity of the NSC and to walk up the road from Quarter Bridge.

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, Short Course, 3,000 metres (1 large lap)

2.10pm – Under 17 Men, Junior/ Senior/ Veteran Women, 6,000 metres (2 large laps)

2.10pm – Junior/ Senior/Veteran Men, 9,000 metres (3 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 and obey Instructions from marshals.

Law Trust IOM Cross Country League – Round 1

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Entries have now closed for the first of four rounds of the Isle of Man Cross Country League, sponsored by Law Trust, which takes place at Port-e-Chee Meadow near Braddan Bridge on the outskirts of Douglas on the afternoon of Sunday 17 October. This round is organised by Manx Harriers, with race HQ being at Douglas Rugby Club. The first race gets underway at 1pm.

The course is largely on agricultural grassland which is fairly flat with one hill on each long lap. The senior races will be run over slightly reduced distances for the first round, with mileages likely to increase later in the season.

The senior, veteran and junior men’s race will be over three full laps of the course, a distance of approximately nine kilometres. The senior, veteran and junior women, and under-17 men, will race over two full laps, a distance of around six kilometres.  The minimum age for competitors is seven years on the day of the race.

All competitors must make arrangements to collect their race numbers from Manx Harriers clubhouse at the NSC from 5pm to 7pm on Friday. If you cannot attend you should arrange to have your number collected for you. Anyone who has not yet paid for their entry by bank transfer must pay when collecting their race number on Friday. Payment can be made by cash, or by cheque payable to IOM Athletics Association.

There is a large parking area at the Rugby Club, but perhaps not enough to accommodate everyone. You may have to park in the vicinity of the NSC and to walk up the road from Quarter Bridge – please allow plenty of time.

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, Short Course, 3,000 metres (1 large lap)

2.10pm – Under 17 Men, Junior, Senior, Veteran Women, 6,000 metres (2 large laps)

2.10pm – Junior, Senior, Veteran Men, 9,000 metres (3 large laps)

Here is the course map

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.

Law Trust Cross Country League – Round 1 – Results & Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Cross-country racing returned to Port-e-Chee Meadow on the outskirts of Douglas on Sunday 4th October for the first time in nearly 40 years. This venue, with Douglas Rugby Club as the base, was used for cross-country in the 1970s and early 1980s, although on a different course.

The new course devised by Andy Fox is predominantly flat, but with enough features to provide variety for the runners. It includes a short out-and-back hill under trees that is just long and rough enough to test stamina and agility, and towards the end of each lap there was a short stretch of classic cross-country mud.

Glorious autumn weather greeted a cracking turnout of 295 athletes for Round 1 of the Law Trust Isle of Man Cross-Country League. This first round of four was organised by Manx Harriers, with the men’s and women’s races for seniors and veterans both attracting all-time record entries.

There were no surprises at the head of the senior races, Alan Corlett and Rachael Franklin taking convincing and impressive victories over three and two laps respectively of the full course – distances of 9,000 and 6,000 metres. Both have only recently returned to full training following a break at the end of the unusually late track season.

Corlett was tracked by Will Draper throughout the first lap and into the second, the latter looking strong and composed although a much less experienced cross-country runner than his training partner. On the final lap Draper felt unwell and slowed, allowing first-year u20 Ieuan Owen to catch and pass him in the closing stages. This was a wonderful run by the young Western AC athlete who continues to impress, especially as this was his first time contesting the same distance as the seniors.

There was a close battle for fourth place, Mark Burman almost catching a tiring Orran Smith in the finishing straight. The latter’s fatigue was understandable after his epic circuit of the Raad ny Foillan the previous weekend. Paul Sykes completed the top six.

Rachael Franklin was totally dominant in the women’s race, and had some of the leading men for company throughout her two laps. Elissa Morris ran strongly to take second place, and there was a race-long battle for third place between distance runner Rachael Hamilton and 400 metres specialist Ashleigh Lachenicht. The finishing speed of the Island Games 400 metres champion eventually settled an intriguing contest.

Sarah Puzzar produced one of the runs of the day to take fifth place. She judged the race well, upping the tempo on her second lap to make up several places. Sixth place went to cross-country newcomer Becky Watterson, and the leading junior was race-walking specialist Keira Heavey.

Running alongside the women were the u17 men, and Ryan Corrin impressed in this race with a very solid winning performance.

The action had begun with the under-nine and u11 races round one and two laps respectively of the main field, and the u11 boys’ race produced the most exciting finish of the day. Liam Blake and Harry Stennett have had many close battles this year, none better than on Sunday. Never far apart, they entered the finishing straight together and sprinted neck and neck for the line as the big crowd cheered them on. It was Manx Harriers athlete Blake who just got there first, both lads being given the same time.

Abi Sinclair was the clear winner of the u11 girls’ race, with the sprint finish for second place going to Jessica Bergquist by one second from Olivia Martin.

The winners of the under-nine races were Seamus Hall and Eve Martin, but every competitor gave their all and there were some great performances.

Several of the intermediate age groups raced together over different distances, and it was a fine sight for the spectators as a train of fast-moving runners made their way around the fields and across some shallow ditches in the beautiful warm sunshine.

Macy Hillier dominated the 3,000-metre u15 girls’ race, looking in fine form and gliding smoothly over the terrain. Madison McMullan was second, three seconds clear of Lottie Stennett. The u13 boys and girls ran alongside the u15 girls, and victory in these races went to promising young athletes Charlie Arculus and Holly Salter.

Running alongside these competitors were the Short Course runners with Dawn Atherton and Mark Corrin taking the wins – Dawn in the faster time.

There was a real depth of quality in the 3,900-metre u15 boys’ race, only seven seconds separating the first three. Gethin Owen won by six seconds from Sam Perry, who in turn was just one second clear of Lucas Stennett. All three lads are part of talented athletics families.

Star race-walker Mia Dunwell was the sole competitor in the u17 women’s race but she ran very well in company with the u15 boys.

Prior to the senior race there was a minute’s silence and a round of applause in memory of Colin Watterson who sadly passed away last week.

  • Grateful thanks are extended to the army of officials who all did so much to make the event a great success, and to Douglas Rugby Club for allowing the use of their clubhouse and car park.
  • Round 2 takes place at QE2 School in Peel on Sunday 1 November with racing getting underway at 1pm.
  • ideo footage of the action is on the manxathletics.com Facebook page.Here are the full results.

David Griffiths