Syd Quirk Half Marathon entries

I'm having some problems publishing the lists of entries in pdf file format so if you can't read them here they are:

Walk:


No.
Surname
Forename
Club
M/F
Age Cat
Callister
Ian
Manx Harriers
M
V55
George
Irene
Manx Harriers
F
V45
George
Michael
Manx Harriers
M
V40
Hempsall
Mark
IOMVAC
M
V40
Smith
Russell
IOMVAC
M
V50
Kinvig
Alan
IOMVAC
M
V50
Moore
Colin (Stephen)
IOMVAC
M
V45
Henrard
Ann
Unattached
F
V55
Edwards
Ivan
Unattached
M
SM
Lynch
Vinny
IOMVAC
M
V45
Goldsmith
Sarah
IOMVAC
F
V60
Ball
Tony
Unattached
M
V55
Killey
Margy
IOMVAC
F
V55
Gault
Alan
IOMVAC
M
V50
Green
Andy
Manx Harriers
M
V55
Waddington
Jock
IOMVAC
M
V40
Bonney
Michael
Unattached
M
V45
Senogles
Gillian
Unattached
F
V40
Senogles
Carl
Unattached
M
V45
Kelly
Debbie
Unattached
F
V40
Starkey
Simon
Unattached
M
V35
Ball
Bernie
Unattached
F
SL
Callister
Selwyn
Unattached
M
V45
Kniveton
Fliss
Unattached
F
V45
Kniveton
Phil
Unattached
M
V35
Oates
Ann
Manx Harriers
F
V50
Sweeney
Sarah
Unattached
F
SL
Sweeney
Shaun
Unattached
M
V40
Geddes
Jenny
Unattached
F
SL
Redmond
Jonathan
Unattached
M
SM
Hodge
Sue
Unattached
F
V50
Shipsides
Michael
Unattached
M
V40
Clague
Pauline
Unattached
F
V40
Erskine
Gordon
Unattached
M
V65
Motley
Lisa
Manx Harriers
F
V40
Butler
Marion
Unattached
F
V55
McCombs
Anne
Unattached
F
V45
Callister
Mike
Unattached
M
V35
Sykes
Jo
Unattached
F
V40
Neale
Diane
Unattached
F
V45
Jackson
Marie
Manx Harriers
F
V45
Cale
Chris
Manx Harriers
M
V35
Crooks
Colin
Unattached
M
V35
Dillon
Stephen
Unattached
M
SM
Webb
Les
Unattached
M
V40
Tinkler
Adrian
Unattached
M
V55
Birtles
Les
Unattached
M
SM
Barratt
Mike
Unattached
M
SM
Gerrard
Richard
Unattached
M
V35
Quirk
Charlie
Unattached
M
V65
Manley
Gillian
Unattached
F
V45
Taylor
Rose
Manx Harriers
F
V35
Colquitt
Kath
Unattached
F
V45
Castle
Andrea
Unattached
F
V45
James
Murphy
Unattached
M
SM


Run:


No.
Surname
Forename
Club
M/F
Age Cat
Moore
Barry
IOMVAC
M
V35
Loundes
Kevin
Manx Harriers
M
SM
Tewkesbury
Rachael
Manx Harriers
F
SL
Kennaugh
Stephen
MFR
M
V35
Griffiths
Gail
Manx Harriers
F
V40
Doyle
David
IOMVAC
M
V45
Sellors
Rob
IOMVAC
M
V40
Ackroyd
Sue
IOMVAC
F
V50
Clague
Mark
Manx Harriers
M
V35
Deakes
Kevin
Northern AC
M
V45
Salter
David
IOMVAC
M
V45
Gillanders
Rob
IOMVAC
M
V40
Bolton
Anton
Unattached
M
SM
Taylor
Anthony
Unattached
M
V55
Moore
Sarah
Unattached
F
SL
Swindlehurst
John
IOMVAC
M
V45
Cubbon
Paul
IOMVAC
M
V45
Radcliffe
Richard
Northern AC
M
V50
Cowin
Barry
Northern AC
M
V35
Postlethwaite
Alan
Northern AC
M
V60
Bell
Andy
Manx Tri Club
M
V40
Furner
Sue
IOMVAC
F
V50
Young
David
Manx Fell Runners
M
V60
Cochrane
Jason
Western AC
M
V35
Pierce
Peter
IOMVAC
M
V40
Cushing
Neil
IOMVAC
M
V40
Varley
Christian
Unattached
M
SM
Sandford
Wendy
IOMVAC
F
V35
Callister
Robbie
IOMVAC
M
V50
Cullen
Helen
IOMVAC
F
V45
Willmott
Steve
IOMVAC
M
V45
Pilling
Alan
IOMVAC
M
V55
Harrison
Judith
Unattached
F
V35
Rogan
Emma
Metros
F
SL
Armstrong
Nigel
Manx Harriers
M
V40
Marsdin
Katie
Unattached
F
SL
Blackburn
Patricia
IOMVAC
F
V50
Osborn
Kevan
IOMVAC
M
V60
Griffin
Gareth
Unattached
M
SM
Valfridsson
Malin
Unattached
F
SL
Lodge
Chris
Unattached
M
SM
Glassey
Joanne
Manx Harriers
F
V35
Lowe
Simon
Western AC
M
V40
Parker
Robert
Unattached
M
SM
Crook
Michael
Western AC
M
V40
Shipway
Richard
Unattached
M
V40
Gray
Stephen
Unattached
M
V35
Bayliss
Marc
Unattached
M
SM
Lambden
Murray
Manx Harriers
M
V50
Brown
Les
Manx Harriers
M
V55
Hall
Geoff
Western AC
M
V55
Hall
Moira
Western AC
F
V55
Freestone
Peter
Unattached
M
V60
Bathgate
Christine
IOMVAC
F
V60
Ross
Wendy
Manx Harriers
F
V45
Crellin
Donna
Unattached
F
V40
Sugden
Ingrid
IOMVAC
F
V55
Broughton
James
Northern AC
M
V35
Lewthwaite
Paul
Northern AC
M
V35
Christian
Stephen
Unattached
M
SM
Kelly
Maureen
IOMVAC
F
V50
Kelly
Alan
IOMVAC
M
V55
Loader
Debbie
IOMVAC
F
V40
Loader
Alan
Unattached
M
V40
Wilson
Neil
IOMVAC
M
V45
Gray
Darren
Manx Harriers
M
SM
Wozniak
Jan
Unattached
M
V50
Boyde
Nikkii
Northern AC
F
V35
Whyman
Louise
Unattached
F
V35
Lodge
Andrew
IOMVAC
M
V50
Gelling
Kevan
Unattached
M
V35
Brown
Stephen
IOMVAC
M
V45
Kinley
Juan
Manx Tri Club
M
V40
Andrew
Colm
Unattached
M
V40
Isherwood
David
Manx Harriers
M
V40

Something for everything in this sport

As so often happens with the www.manxathletics.com site, the plans I had in my head have been changed several times when I have learnt about performances by athletes with a range of experience and ability. The things that I planned were replaced with the news of various achievements.

I was able to feature the Dublin Marathon at a very early stage this year because Mike Garrett sent me a text within minutes of the finish on Monday lunchtime. That text in itself showed what a variety of emotions we go through in the sport. Mike was so disappointed to have another race destroyed with a stomach problem but he brought me the news of Kevin Vondy's fine personal best of 2.50.50 for the man who is 50 years and 50 days old today!

Later in the day David Griffiths added details of Debbie Loader's performance in the Irish capital and I was able to add a photo of her. By all accounts her performance was well earned after putting in a lot of hard and well planned training.

So at this point we had the experienced marathon runner who finds something extra every year, the experienced marathon runner who was running his third marathon of the year with only one matching his expectations, and the (probably) once in a lifetime big improvement that leaves the athlete buzzing with excitement.

Yesterday it was the turn of the first time runners. Debbie Storrie, who ran in Dublin with her training partner Peter Bettridge, brought me news of their great runs and that of another first time runner Mark Heywood.

It was lovely to have a call last night from Kevin Vondy who felt great from the start on Monday. Like I did a couple of years ago, he received a Garmin for his 50th birthday present and found this invaluable during the marathon. He was knocking out 6.21 miles most of the way around and reached 20 miles in a personal best of 2 hours 7 minutes. He returned to something I wrote about recently. The furthest he had run in training was 23 miles. Guess where he started to slow dramatically? 23 miles.

Kevin also brought me news of Katie Cullen who he met on the plane on the way to Dublin and so I was able to use the Dublin Marathon website as we were chatting to confirm that she had run 3.51.32.

Earlier last night Marie was out at at special presentation to Arnie Jacobs who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. I'm told that he delivered a nice speech in his very modest way and he told his many friends that when he was 60 he ran in the Steve Jacobs Memorial Mile (which is held in memory of his son) and was disappointed not to break 10 minutes. He is still running despite a number of setbacks and says that he is still trying to break 10 minutes. Who would bet against him still lining up when he is 80?

The theme of the conversations that Marie brought from the little function was that so many people said that they would not be taking part (and enjoying the sport so much) if it were not for the support from Arnie. He is so good at making people, who perhaps doubt their ability, feel good about what they achieve, no matter how fast they run, how high they jump or how far they throw.

Arnie is as good as anyone at putting that across but the rest of us have those intentions. If you are new to the sport, or have found this website by chance but have not yet taken part, the sport really does cater for everyone. Use the website to find out how to join the fell running scene, prepare for the Parish Walk or to get your children (or yourself) into the track and field scene. There really is something for everyone.

If you do have a question though, I would prefer you to use the forum than to contact me as I am still struggling with my mail folder which still contains a vast range of information which I hope to share with you on the website. Something for everyone I hope.

Busy weekend

Lots of updates on the site this weekend (just updated again today to feature the half marathon yet again).

Lots of other things on at the weekend.

Lots of emails unanswered - bear with me.

Looking forward to hearing the news from Dublin today. Check the forum later.

Robbie watered down

Robbie Callister (above) was the fastest runner in the Blackrock sponsored handicap runs in the rain tonight. He is benefitting from concentrating on his running (at the expense of his walking) for the first time for a few years.

A couple of months ago Robbie was still a bit rusty (and tired from the Parish Walk) but several months of running are paying off and he is looking for his quickest time at the half marathon for a few years next week.

Robbie and I were chatting about Ed Gumbley's great recent marathon in Berlin and again the theme of consistent training over a long period arose.

As it did when I learnt that Stephen Brown had run his second best ever half marathon (and his best on the course) in the Great North Run).

Don't water your training down - but sprinkle in a bit of variety. Big splashes take time - witness recent successes by Ed Gumbley, Kevin Loundes & Michael George among others.

This week's coverage

I've been continuing selective publicity for forthcoming events and that task should get easier now as many of the events in the next few months are within leagues which have already kicked off.

That said, I have always hoped that if the first event in a series is a success we could attract an even bigger entry in future rounds. Although it rarely happens, we should keep trying to encourage more people to join.

There have been some very good examples recently of how to explain the things that seem obvious to those that have taken part in events before but are not so to those that haven't. I thought the press release for the Welbeck Hotel and Restaurant One hour Challenge achieved this aim with some distinction.

I'm planning to get some photos of the Blackrock Veterans Autumn Handicap tomorrow night (although its always hard to get any good shots in the dark) and then plan to go back to the NSC on Sunday morning for the HSBC Securities Services Winter League Walks.

No bright lights in Amsterdam

Ben Lambden in Amsterdam

I was back in the house at 9 pm last night - the best part of the weekend was that each of my four flights were either on time or early.

It wasn't the best weekend that I have ever taken away from home and Ben's half marathon was not a great success - adding to my non- participation in the marathon.

He hadn't trained much recently, largely due to factors outside of his control, and should probably have provided for this in his race strategy (with better advice from Dad!). On a 90 minute schedule, he was forced to walk in the latter stages and ended up over 1.40 (his time is missing from the results website).

So tight was our schedule that he was still in his vest and shorts at Amsterdam airport and I hurt my back again carrying a load of bags (including my laptop and his medical books) from the hotel to meet him at the finish. Add to our frustrations that I did not see him at either spot I watched on the course and he was delayed by several hours on his train (well it should have been but it was actually a number of bus journeys) back to Hull last night, and you will see that there is plenty of room for improvement next year!

The biggest smile of the weekend came on opening Michael George's text on the train to the airport.

Alex Wijsman makes us feel at home in Amsterdam

Alex Wijsman finished 43rd in the Clerical Medical Parish Walk in just over 20 hours. The former Gold bullion dealer kindly directed us the Olympic stadium for registration yesterday and we met several of his friends who were running, and their wives.

It was fantasic today, whilst standing at the side of the road in amsterdam, to have several people come up to us to say "hello" - people that we had met yesterday.

I got several pictures of Alex walking the course, one of which is published above (left).

I registered for the marathon yesterday and got the T shirt - and then my decision was taken not to start. Oh well, at least I was able to tuck into a nice big breakfast - unlike Ben who is preparing for the half marathon which starts in exactly an hour.

Parish Walk Convention at Amsterdam Airport

I'll see if a get one of Stan's photos from the hill race onto the front page from my hotel room in amsterdam.

I'm also going to get some chances to take photos of the marathon tomorrow!

Dutch courage

Michael George is off to the Netherlands in the morning to compete in the Dutch 50km championships. I'm hoping that he will break the 5 hour target this time. He is hoping to get his news to Paul Jackson on Sunday to report on the http://www.manxharriers.com/ site.

I might be joining Michael for a coffee at Amsterdam airport tomorrow! I'm leaving the Island and hour and half ahead of him, flying to Manchester where I wait for 3 and a half hours for my flight during which time I will be joined by my son Ben, who is travelling from Hull by train. Michael and Irene fly to Birmingham at 8.30 but get to Amsterdam half an hour ahead of me.

I trained every day but one for almost five months for the Amsterdam Marathon which is to be held on Sunday. I made no secret of my desire to break 2.40 but I also admitted that the intensity of my training was putting me on a high risk strategy. Sure enough six weeks ago I succumbed to injury and have barely trained since (less than a marathon distance in total). A couple of weeks ago I decided that I would not take part but I would still go with Ben who is running the half marathon in the afternoon. I have done a couple of short runs this week and have been toying with the possibility of taking part at a much more modest pace. I know it is the wrong thing to do but it will take some Dutch courage to watch.

I'm taking my laptop with me so I hope to publish some photos of certain parts of Amsterdam!

Although I admit I got my training wrong, one thing I strongly believe in as that your training has to be based on the distance that you will race. I ran up to and past the marathon distance five times this summer (the slowest was 2.55 on a windy day) but guess what? The more my body got used to the distance the more consistent were my mile times and I had just about mastered an even pace marathon.

It is fascinating to publish Ed Gumbley's times from his brilliant Berlin Marathon a few minutes ago. The mile splits are from his Garmin and I then ran them through a spreadsheet to calculate the other splits. Even he was fading significantly during the last few miles.

The question is how do you train for a marathon to maintain an even pace without breaking down in training? I think that only about 5% of a marathon field achieve this - and they are usually in the top few percentage of finishers.

I had intended to publish the feature on Ed this morning but the photos of Gemma arrived from Andy Duncan. Thanks Andy. He has done such a good job for the media.

Fixtures speak for themselves

One of the problems with having so many different features on the website (as there have been recently) is that unless I delete them (which I prefer not to do as one of the great things about the internet is the comparitive lack of space) it takes time to reorganise and archive the old features and to add links.

So that job has taken priority this morning with four new oldies pages (if that makes sense).

By moving the fixtures table around is amazing how much more notice people take of them even though they are always there.

The features on forthcoming events that I run tend to be for those in several weeks time rather than those in the next day or two as I think we have to influence people well in advance of the event we hope that they will take part in. So, for example, you don't need me to repeat the feature I ran a couple of weeks ago on the Isle of Man Bank Hill Race series to know that it is on this Saturday.

Just time this morning to add a short feature on the Great North Run. I met Jo, Debby and Gary at the airport last Sunday evening but didn't have my camera with me - the photo is from the London City Airport on our way to the 2006 Flora London Marathon. We miss those cheap flights into London City.

I don't remember Arnie's 18th birthday

Arnie Jacobs, who celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday, is one of life's nice guys. There is hardly an event on the roads on the Island at which he is not helping with and he has time to encourage everyone every day. And he still runs a bit too!

My birthday was also yesterday which meant that I was born on Arnie's 18th. I went for an Indian meal with Marie last night but I did spend some time on the website when I got in and some more about an hour ago.

There are so many good photos I could use from the cross country but it is almost time to move on again. Maybe a couple more tonight.

There is so much to look forward to in the next few days although I won't be on the Island to cover the Hill Race. More about that another time.

I got he OK to run the story about Eammon Harkin's illness yesterday. Most people were unaware of the problems he had been having and he preferred to keep it that way. Now that his quality of life is set to improve it should help by spreading the word rather than him telling everyone individually. He sent a text to the office where I work (where he has only been a non-executive director) an hour before he went under the knife with his target time for the Parish Walk next year - he is going to have to live up to it!

Eammon is the only person to have recruited me twice in my career. The first time it took him four years to get away from me; the second time only four months!

Second Wind

Only just getting my second wind as far as the website is concerned.

As predicted, it was all go from 10 yesterday morning.

There were perfect conditions for the Welbeck Hotel and Restaurant One Hour Challenge Walk. I left as soon as the final gun was fired and had the photos online by noon.

The editing of the video takes a bit longer and this was still uploading as I maintained my new stretching regime before departing for the cross country.

Sorry that I couldn't get any pictures from the Manx Gas Cross Country Challenge online last night but I did a bit of tinkering with the layout and, like everyone else, waited for the results. Thanks very much to David Griffiths (and all the timekeepers and helpers) for these. Even though other websites are getting better, it is still only a minority of events that have same day results even when electronic timing is used (which we weren't using yesterday).

The website is my hobby and (although I frequently fail) I try not to be a slave to it but prefer to try and surprise people a little with the content with old photos or stories or particular interest. The main place for reporting events has to be the websites of the promoting clubs.

So it was nice to receive an email from Andy Duncan this morning. It gave me a chance to run a story about the Commonwealth Youth Games and to again highlight the coverage on the http://www.manxharriers.com/ site.

Thanks to Paul Sheard and Matthew Haddock for the photos from the cross country today. I have some more from each source but, as I already have more than normal on the front page I'll save them for another day.

I want to leave enough space for a special picture tomorrow. Its not often that we celebrate three score and ten.

Its taken me more than an hour and half this evening to get everything structured and published so there will be fewer changes tomorrow night as I have other things to do.

Double trouble

Tomorrow is going to be one of those days when it will be impossible to do justice to every athletic performance.

Tomorrow morning is the Welbeck Hotel and Restaurant One Hour Challenge and I hope to bring you both video and photos of the new found stars.

There won't be much editing and publishing time, however, before I pack up my spikes for the cross country at Nobles Park. I've just published a photo from last year's championships showing the mud that we can expect tomorrow and also the two main protagonists in the men's league, John Halligan and Kevin Loundes.

So I shall be relying on links to other sites and photos from other people if I am going to cover the cross country. I shall take my cameras in my bag just in case things don't work out for me though. Last year I ended up merely jogging around after being troubled by what turned out to be exercise induced asthma. After missing the rest of the cross country season for the first time since 1990 and having a rubbish London Marathon, I embarked on a conditioning phase of early morning training after which I set my sights on breaking 2.40 in the Amsterdam Marathon next weekend - 25 years after "retiring". That plan ended in tears but I hope to run tomorrow although I had a frightening thought yesterday - I haven't run further than 2.5 miles for five weeks! I hope that I have no time for my camera tomorrow.

Time for the footie.

First time ever at the Ramsey Firemans

Finally, after more than 20 years I made it to see the Ramsey Fireman's runs. And I changed my mind dozens of times yesterday as to whether I was going to go. I was torn, on the one hand, between a desire to finally see what the event was like and take some photos and film and, on the other hand, the knowledge that I would be leaving more paperwork and emails unattended to. There was also the awful weather.

There were gale force winds for the runners but thankfully it was not too wet. The main event was won by Christian Varley after he had followed Robbie Callister for more than half the race. The second time in five days that Robbie had been the hare.

Northern AC and the fire services provided a warm welcome, as with all of their events, although I couldn't help but cringe at one or two of the crossing points in such dark conditions.

I hope that you like the video but I'm afraid the dark, the rain and my frozen hands put paid to the idea of getting stills as well. As it was my fingers were white when I got home and I had to painfully warm them in a bowl of hot water. Yes, gloves would have been a good idea.

Later last night I trawled through my photo collections of the novice walks and selected the 2005 event as a good one to demonstrate how the Welbeck Hotel and Restaurant sponsored event has unearthed plenty of talent. Watch out for the 2011 Parish Walk winner on Sunday.

Syd Quirk Half Marathon entries to close...

...in 23 days.

I've just added a small feature on this classic half marathon (it also includes a walk over the same distance).

There will be absolutely NO late entries so get your form in now. Go to:

http://www.iomvac.co.uk/

I've produced the results for the past few years for this event and I can tell you having a close off for entries will make a massive difference to the logistics. The time after the race can be used merely inputting times against names (rather than typing in the names) and the certificates can be written in advance. It will make the whole show a lot punchier. Thanks to Marie Jackson.

One of the things I like about entries in advance is that there is (near) certainty about who is taking part and a good race preview confirming the entry and speculating on the result makes the event a lot more enjoyable for everyone.

I'm still working on those emails....

Fixtures for the first three months of 2009

I believe it to be important that there is always a rolling programme of fixture dates and I have therefore extracted, from the list of provisional fixtures for 2009 which Bridget Kaneen has been working hard to collate, the dates of the events for the first three months of 2009. Apart from anything else it provides the full picture for those people planning to run in the leagues (cross country, race walking and handicap runs) that start in one year and finish in the next.

I must stress two things - 1) that my list is not the official list but is merely a service to athletes just as a list in the newspaper would do the same thing; 2) the 2009 dates are only provisional.

Interesting to note the inclusion of a half marathon in Manx Harriers meeting on 14 March.

Ramsey Fireman's runs

Just spotted that the Northern AC has been updated to include a really useful information page.

I've added a link on the front page or you can find it here: http://www.iomnac.co.uk/home/Firemans.htm

Commonwealth Youth Games at manxharriers.com

There is good bright coverage of the Commonwealth Youth Games is available on the excellent manxharriers.com site which is edited and produced by Paul Jackson. It includes features on the Manx athletes by the hard working David Griffiths (I think publicity doubles our enjoyment of the sport). So I shall leave it their safe hands and not compete head on with their coverage save for the odd picture to highlight it.

Very best of luck to Tom and Gemma.

Andrew Duncan is reporting the games for the Manx media and has promised to report on the athletes performances in addition to reporting for Manx Radio, Isle of Man Newspapers and the the Commonwealth Games website. He may also make some films for YouTube.

I mentioned the other day that just about all the winter events are about to kick off and I have tonight added a feature on the very popular hill racing series which this year is sponsored by the Isle of Man Bank.

A lot of people would like to try an event but are put off because they think they are not good enough. Don't be. All the members of the Manx Fell Runners Club will make you welcome (most of them take part themselves) and if you follow the links for help they will provide it. You can use the hill running series as a stepping stone to running in the 2009 Rentokil Manx Fell League or you can merely make the series the summit of your achievements.

I had the audacity to spend a little bit of time with my family tonight so that is all you are getting. If you are one of the many people awaiting a reply to an email (I still have a couple of hundred!), you'll have to wait a bit longer.

Please use the forum as much as possible.

Update on Western 10

I've just refreshed the coverage of the Western 10 with pictures of Hetty Bostock, Peter Kaneen and Alan Pilling who all achieved noteworthy performances.

Whilst checking the stats for Alan (his 24th finish in the Western AC) I noticed that Nigel Armstrong has extracted a remarkably consistent streak to collect his third plaque. I'll fill you in - he retained his title with a time of 59.43 to add to 59.33 last year and 59.53 the year before that.

In doing so he avoided (by 12 seconds) having the slowest ever winning time. My 2005 time takes that booby prize along with my slowest winning time in the Syd Quirk and the oldest winner of the marathon!

Going back to Nigel, I'm not sure if it was reported (I can't remember if I did) but he ran his slowest ever marathon recently. It took him over 5 hours in France - but he was drinking red wine instead of water at the feeding stations!

Boys on winter

I used Don Henley's "Boys of Summer" as the soundtrack to the video I made of the Western 10 today but on checking the fixtures for the next few weeks (as I always do when I consider what I am going to put on the website next), it is definitely "Boys (and Girls) of Winter" with an incredible number of events coming up.

Thursday sees the start of the Ramsey Fireman's runs. Regulars to the Manx scene know all about this winter series but I always feel that we could do a bit more to explain to those that don't already know about it.

Sunday is the first round of the Manx Gas Cross Country which is well featured here and elsewhere.

Sunday is also the date of Welbeck Hotel & Restuarant One Hour Walk and this event is the prelude to the Manx Harriers Winter Walking league.

The following Saturday (just 13 days away) is the start of the Isle of Man Bank Hill Running series.

As if that is not enough, the Thursday after that is the Blackrod Veterans Autumn Handicap.

So just about everything connected to winter on the local scene is about to start including Manx Harriers circuit training and middle distance training sessions.

Given the overloaded fixture list, the one thing that is surprising about the winter season is that between today (Western 10) and Manx Harriers 10km (usually around first week of March) there is only one straight road race - so make the most of the Haldane Fisher Syd Quirk Half Marathon on 2 November and get your entry in today.

I'll do my best to promote all of the above on th manxathletics.com website but, as always, the more detail that the clubs can provide on their own sites the better. I want to take the horse to water rather than man the feeding station myself.

Western 10 coverage

One of those days when I've had no time for the website today. Only four hours sleep after using last night (Marie is away for the weekend) not, as you might expect, to go out on the beer but to catch up on some of my paperwork and get my tax return done in the nick of time. I've spent the rest of the day on my Saturday job (cleaning our holiday cottage) and have just let our other property for a good chunk of the winter. I'm off to a party shortly so I hope I can stay awake.

I planned to provide photo and video coverage of the Western 10 tomorrow but realised a few minutes ago that I would have to go tomorrow in any event to return the over 50s trophy.

I hope that the weather is better than today - some of the heaviest rain you could imagine.

Watch out for the coverage around lunchtime tomorrow although it may be curtailed a bit of the rain is heavy.

Once again, good luck to all taking part.

Chris goes live

As promised, Chris has started his blog.

There is a link at the top of the home page or http://manxcrosscountry.blogspot.com/

Chris Quine to blog

Due to be launched over the weekend, Chris Quine has kindly agreed to write a blog about the winter cross country season. He will add to the publicity of local races, provide some advice, comment on the wider cross country season and its links to other branches of the sport and also let you know how he gets on with his own plans to compete.

Watch this space.

Island Games video of Gemma Astin

Some months ago I published several films using David Griffiths content of the 2007 Island Games. Last night I finally published the fourth in the series to coincide with a feature that David has written which is to appear on http://www.manxharriers.com/

Having just viewed the film at YouTube this morning it appears that I have missed part of it off. Sorry about this. I will try and re-edit and publish again over the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iwMc0X1HbU

Western 10 awards

Martin Bell - 20 times finisher of the Western 10

Western AC award a special trophy to anyone who completes the course 10 times.



Recently, they have added further awards for 20 finishes - Alan Pilling was the first to reach that milestone.

See you there on Sunday. See the Western AC website for details.

The Workplace Team Challenge

I've just added the following to the website. I'm going to archive many of the short term features here rather than creating quite so many web pages.

More news from Lewis Veale

This year we are adding a Workplace Team Challenge to both raise money for the Children’s Centre, and gently introduce new ‘faces’ into the sport of cross country. We would like as many companies as possible to enter teams into this challenge. You can have up to 10 members in each team, with only four members needed to enter each race. This may make it less daunting for your volunteers! The Workplace Team Challenge will be run over the ‘short course’ which will average around 3 km in length. Running will obviously be ‘off road’, on grass and sometimes mud: there will be some gentle hills involved. You will need to have a team running in four of the five races in order to complete the Workplace Team Challenge League and qualify for the series. Team members are asked to sign on at 1.30pm on the day of each race, with the Work Place Challenge race beginning around 2:20pm. Team entrance to the Workplace Challenge will cost £300, which we envisage being covered by your company / department. This will cover entry and insurance for four people in each of the five races, and a dontation to The Isle of Man Children’s Centre. The top three teams will receive a trophy to adorn their offices! So go on! Why not? Ask your MD / department head for sponsorship, and get a team together. Download the entrance form below..
Pdf Word

Redesign of the manxathletics.com website

Well down the list of my priorities, but well overdue, was a redesign of the site - until last night when I currupted the template that I normally use.

The redesign has come with all the usual frustrations but it is up and running. It won't be restrospective and so the older pages will remain in the old style(s).

If there are any other photo sites that I have missed on the right hand navigation bar, then please let me know. I've sorted them according to the number of photos published during the year (roughly).

This blog will be used to record the changes that I make to the site and a few other comments.