I went to the bus stop opposite the Villa Marina at 7.26 precisely this morning. The timetable displayed in the bus shelter confirmed the website times - number 1 buses were due to arrive at 7.28 and 7.58.
It was 8.00 before a bus did arrive (presumably the first one was early!) and I have not warmed up yet after 34 minutes standing at the bus stop on the promenade.
I hate wasting time too and I could have stayed at home and done some of the things on the Parish Walk website which I have just done now.
Although you can't see them yet, the links are there to SPORTident's server where the entries open in just over 10 hours - but parishwalk.com will arrive a little early.
But you can't miss it after 11.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
A good day to use public transport
Sunday, 28 November 2010
I didn't expect to be on the PW website tonight
I planned to collect Marie from the airport tonight and had more or less ruled out doing anything on the Parish Walk website after that time (ok, I might have sneaked to the computer here and there).
But sadly she is stranded in Edinburgh after her weekend away and I'm not sure whether she will get the plane back tomorrow or head for Heysham on the train - LateRooms.com came to our rescue tonight.
So it was back to the website and I think the content is growing all the time.
Great news for Kevin Deakes who has the Google Earth map of the course up and running earlier than planned.
There are some unseen videos from last year taken my by brother Mike but published after I had already closed down for my four and half month break from the Parishwalk.com site.
And there is a further analysis of the split times for the past four years by John Shimmin - also compiled just after my curfew.
In just over 48 hours I will publish the site - depending on what time I get back from the Marc Almond concert.
But sadly she is stranded in Edinburgh after her weekend away and I'm not sure whether she will get the plane back tomorrow or head for Heysham on the train - LateRooms.com came to our rescue tonight.
So it was back to the website and I think the content is growing all the time.
Great news for Kevin Deakes who has the Google Earth map of the course up and running earlier than planned.
There are some unseen videos from last year taken my by brother Mike but published after I had already closed down for my four and half month break from the Parishwalk.com site.
And there is a further analysis of the split times for the past four years by John Shimmin - also compiled just after my curfew.
In just over 48 hours I will publish the site - depending on what time I get back from the Marc Almond concert.
Taking shape
I've finally completed the statistics and archive pages of the Parish Walk website.
Less than 60 hours to go until the launch of parishwalk.com
Less than 60 hours to go until the launch of parishwalk.com
Billy no mates
Having been alone in the office for a couple of days (and Monday) because my colleague is away, I am alone in the house this weekend because Mare has gone away to Edinburgh for the weekend to join a couple of her old student mates.
Its somewhat ironic that, given Marie has to put up with my late night website stuff and my early morning runs, that I have not really done either this weekend.
Having spent most of the yesterday in front of a computer I crashed out in front of Match of Day last night. When you think of how many volunteers give up their time for nothing in football, it makes you wonder how much Alan Shearer got paid for his sole comment on one match: "Scott Parker makes a helluva difference to West Ham".
I made more progress with the Parish Walk website but more significantly, my laptop, which is not my main source of computer access but gets used hard on Parish Walk weekend, is now running Windows 7. I bought it three and half years ago with Windows Vista but it was so slow I loaded XP. Its the second computer that I have installed Windows 7 on and it really was easy.
But it was so boring reinstalling so many software programs to give all the means I need for the Parish Walk weekend, and a few leisure ones as well.
There is hardly any change today so I am going to slum it again and try and get some more Parish Walk stuff done.
Saturday, 27 November 2010
24 hours on
I don't know what other people are doing but I have decided to avoid the thin covering of icy snow and stay indoors for much of the day.
Friday, 26 November 2010
hope we don't get bad weather
A slight covering of snow, well salted roads and there is a traffic jam from Richmond Hill to the Blackboards - and someone driving south at 18 mph!
Not what we expect in November
I had to resort to jogging when I saw this view from our house this morning.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Memory ain't what it used to be
I've just scanned the newspaper report from the very first Millennium Way Relay and, having told someone yesterday that I was the second person to ever complete a leg of this historic event, I realise that I was the third behind the wonderful (then) teenager Stephen Mackie who died so tragically young.
I knew that I had been inferior to Dave Newton but I got my revenge the next year - if my memory has not gone again!
I'm sure that Chris Quine would like it to be known that he was only 5 when he ran in 1979!
I knew that I had been inferior to Dave Newton but I got my revenge the next year - if my memory has not gone again!
I'm sure that Chris Quine would like it to be known that he was only 5 when he ran in 1979!
Facebook shock
First it was Twitter and now Facebook - two of the most inane websites that I never thought I would be using.
Me having an account on Facebook was about as likely as my brother Martin checking his emails more than once a month!
So long as I never sink to watching "I'm a Has Been Get Me Some New Contracts" or "Big Showoff" I might keep some snobbery!
Me having an account on Facebook was about as likely as my brother Martin checking his emails more than once a month!
So long as I never sink to watching "I'm a Has Been Get Me Some New Contracts" or "Big Showoff" I might keep some snobbery!
Interviewer's dream
I've known Steve Taylor since he was about 14 and so I knew that my problem in interviewing him tonight would be to keep it within the 8-10 minute barrier than struggling to get any words out from him!
And he was so easy to interview. If you watch him break into a smile just after half distance though it was where I had to cut it slightly. Although I had emailed Marie to tell her that he would be coming to our house after work she arrived home in the middle and burst into the room.
Some things don't change - the same thing happened with Chris Maddocks about 15 years ago!
And he was so easy to interview. If you watch him break into a smile just after half distance though it was where I had to cut it slightly. Although I had emailed Marie to tell her that he would be coming to our house after work she arrived home in the middle and burst into the room.
Some things don't change - the same thing happened with Chris Maddocks about 15 years ago!
2nd of 3 tight lipped subjects
I've left another session on the Parish Walk website to work on a story that I have not been allowed to go public on for the past couple of weeks.
It will be live in an hour or so.
It will be live in an hour or so.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Parish Walk media coverage
I set out to update the archives page on the Parish Walk site tonight - this is the old version:
http://www.parishwalk.co.uk/2010Prerace/Archives.htm
Three hours of painstaking searching, copying and pasting links later and I have got nobody near the end of the task.
With three radio stations, isleofman.com, the BBC and Isle of Man Newspapers all publishing stories, photos, audio and video clips the media coverage is yet another demonstration of just how big the Scottish Widows Parish Walk is.
http://www.parishwalk.co.uk/2010Prerace/Archives.htm
Three hours of painstaking searching, copying and pasting links later and I have got nobody near the end of the task.
With three radio stations, isleofman.com, the BBC and Isle of Man Newspapers all publishing stories, photos, audio and video clips the media coverage is yet another demonstration of just how big the Scottish Widows Parish Walk is.
Fixtures again
Yesterday morning I added the fixtures through to almost the end of February.
There is one more event that will be added to the list tomorrow.
Most of my website time was spent on the Parish Walk website yesterday - less than one week to go now.
There is a heavy frost this morning.
There is one more event that will be added to the list tomorrow.
Most of my website time was spent on the Parish Walk website yesterday - less than one week to go now.
There is a heavy frost this morning.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Parish Walk films
Quite a productive (but rather boring) night on the website setting up pages and adding links to last year's video. The whole of my Parish Walk video collection is listed below. I'm trying to keep a balance diet during this lot so I have been eating grapes and well as drinking them!
Scottish Widows Parish Walk 2010 |
Parish Walk 50th birthday videos |
Roger Black visit |
Scottish Widows Parish Walk 2010 - from the blog |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2009 |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2009 - from the blog |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2008 |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2008 - from the blog |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2008 pre-event |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk 2007 (filming by Marie Lambden) |
Marie did not get notice that she was going to get the camera thrust into her hands! |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk old films |
Clerical Medical Parish Walk - 2004 Robbie Callister by Stuart Watret |
Follow parishwalk.com on Twitter
The first time you can learn about updates to the parishwalk.com site on Twitter by following here:
Not that its very hard just to visit the site or follow the blog - but that is too hard for the modern generation!
How to make money out of EJ
Michael George's blog post is worth a read.
http://michaelswelbeckblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/camp-elton-john-to-star-in-isle-of-mans.html
http://michaelswelbeckblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/camp-elton-john-to-star-in-isle-of-mans.html
Stats from all directions
Following my "stat attack" on the Hill Race series last week, David Griffiths has sent me some interesting statistics on participation levels from the Manx Gas Cross Country which I shall be publishing this evening.
And I have just seen the results from the Up & Running Winter League Walks - 91 finishers in the 10km. Fantastic. I suspect that is a record.
Final statistic for the morning - 10 days until the next event. What should have been the third round of the Ramsey Bakery Firemans runs (it will be the second round because one was cancelled due to bad weather) is a week on Thursday.
Wouldn't it be nice if during the next couple of days a few more people could come forward to marshal at the Empire Garage Peel to Douglas and remove any uncertainty that it will be held this year at an early stage. The board is filling up well.
And I have just seen the results from the Up & Running Winter League Walks - 91 finishers in the 10km. Fantastic. I suspect that is a record.
Final statistic for the morning - 10 days until the next event. What should have been the third round of the Ramsey Bakery Firemans runs (it will be the second round because one was cancelled due to bad weather) is a week on Thursday.
Wouldn't it be nice if during the next couple of days a few more people could come forward to marshal at the Empire Garage Peel to Douglas and remove any uncertainty that it will be held this year at an early stage. The board is filling up well.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Not a lot of progress
I didn't intend to go to the walks this morning - I've never followed them in Andreas but in any event two events on one day is one too many. When we were talking about fixture congestion the other night the main focus on (as it should be) the athletes but too many fixtures also stretches the officials. I third point, which I made and is all too often overlooked, is the role of the media. For example, John Watterson does a brilliant job reporting our sport (and many others) in the Manx paper but he is always short of space. So it makes a lot of sense to ask him to find space for two of our events on the same day. Not.
So I went for my early morning run and sat down to work on the Parish Walk website. I did a little before I started doing some of my paperwork before I suddenly realised how neglected some of this is if I don't want to start hoarding again. So the PW website will have to wait until later.
I'm about to set off for the cross country with a couple of cameras although my main focus will be on making sure that Robbie handles it ok.
So I went for my early morning run and sat down to work on the Parish Walk website. I did a little before I started doing some of my paperwork before I suddenly realised how neglected some of this is if I don't want to start hoarding again. So the PW website will have to wait until later.
I'm about to set off for the cross country with a couple of cameras although my main focus will be on making sure that Robbie handles it ok.
Saturday, 20 November 2010
I've been dreading this bit
Getting ready to publish the Parish Walk website was like riding a bike after falling off - I was dreading it.
Although I am adding quite a few new features this year the basic design will be the same as last year and so I have been able to get the structure in place a lot earlier than last year. I've just spent the last and and a half going flat out and made loads of progress. I'm positive about it again.
Although I am adding quite a few new features this year the basic design will be the same as last year and so I have been able to get the structure in place a lot earlier than last year. I've just spent the last and and a half going flat out and made loads of progress. I'm positive about it again.
I hope that Elton John makes me happy this time
It only took me about 90 seconds to book my tickets for the big Elton John concert at Nobles Park on 16 June when I went to Ticketmaster on Thursday morning. I think the booking fees may have been higher there but I have used the site many times before my credit card details were stored and I knew the site was able to handle much larger volumes than hit it for a one off concert.
I know that there were a lot of disappointed people but at least they were out of their agony within an hour or so not like like manual queuing systems such as Bryan Adams when I queued for three hours and still didn't get any tickets.
The last time I saw Elton John, back in about 1979, the agony lasted about 90 minutes. I went on a special train to Watford and the whole performance left me totally dejected and the train journey back to Stoke seemed to take for ever.
I was in a minority of about 10% of the fans who didn't enjoy the show - the rest of the crowd, and Elton, were incredibly happy.
We had gone to watch Stoke City v Watford in a cup match and Watford beat Stoke - Elton John was bankrolling the club at the time and we had to endure film of him smiling at Stoke's poor defending!
I know that there were a lot of disappointed people but at least they were out of their agony within an hour or so not like like manual queuing systems such as Bryan Adams when I queued for three hours and still didn't get any tickets.
The last time I saw Elton John, back in about 1979, the agony lasted about 90 minutes. I went on a special train to Watford and the whole performance left me totally dejected and the train journey back to Stoke seemed to take for ever.
I was in a minority of about 10% of the fans who didn't enjoy the show - the rest of the crowd, and Elton, were incredibly happy.
We had gone to watch Stoke City v Watford in a cup match and Watford beat Stoke - Elton John was bankrolling the club at the time and we had to endure film of him smiling at Stoke's poor defending!
IOMAA AGM
You can find the details at IOMAA.info and it the link os now at the top of the front page.
Have just moved the Hill Race feature in an attempt to clear the front page for this weekend.
Two events tomorrow so the links for these are also prominent.
Have just moved the Hill Race feature in an attempt to clear the front page for this weekend.
Two events tomorrow so the links for these are also prominent.
Friday, 19 November 2010
A bit of fun
I've just been playing around with one of my favourite websites. Just try this one:
http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html
I remembered after following a newspaper advert through to a company website - I could have sworn that the website was written with this!
http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html
I remembered after following a newspaper advert through to a company website - I could have sworn that the website was written with this!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Not a single event for the multi eventers
Hopefully as a result of the fixtures meeting tonight there will be a multi event meeting at some point next year.
I had to chuckle when I realised that there were multi events for the single eventers but not a single event for the multi eventers!
I had to chuckle when I realised that there were multi events for the single eventers but not a single event for the multi eventers!
Classic case of trying to do too many things at once
There has been a lot going on in the background whilst I have been trying to get some video from the fixtures meeting edited tonight. As a consequence it has taken me ages. Now I think I have saved the file in the wrong format and so it is going to take about an hour to upload to YouTube. I won't be hanging around.
Features page
I've updated the features page:
http://www.manxathletics.com/Features.htm
after I realised last night that I had dropped the link to the archives that I painstakingly built up a couple of weeks ago.
I've just re-published a notice of the fixtures meeting to be held this evening by copying from the iomaa.info website where it has been prominently displayed for several weeks.
Still very windy this morning.
http://www.manxathletics.com/Features.htm
after I realised last night that I had dropped the link to the archives that I painstakingly built up a couple of weeks ago.
I've just re-published a notice of the fixtures meeting to be held this evening by copying from the iomaa.info website where it has been prominently displayed for several weeks.
Still very windy this morning.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Wow
I've had a two hour meeting with Raymond Cox, Parish Walk Race Director, tonight and I am just bursting with enthusiasm for the Parish Walk.
The site goes live two weeks to do and I have just committed to so many things in that time.
And there were so many things I was going to do in the five month "break" whilst not publishing that other site that I have not done.
But there were things that I didn't intend to do. I've really enjoyed compiling the stats on the Hill League series but I have put it to bed now after toasting Simon Skillicorn.
I started the exercise trying to find out how many races he had won and it just developed.
There are lots of good athletes that we take for granted at whatever level they reach. Simon is one of those that has been a fixture during the past 10 years - a very secure fixture.
No matter how many features I compile on the manxathletics.com site there is always someone who feels they don't get the recognition they deserve but hopefully the spotlight will continue to fall on lots of people - just not all at once.
The site goes live two weeks to do and I have just committed to so many things in that time.
And there were so many things I was going to do in the five month "break" whilst not publishing that other site that I have not done.
But there were things that I didn't intend to do. I've really enjoyed compiling the stats on the Hill League series but I have put it to bed now after toasting Simon Skillicorn.
I started the exercise trying to find out how many races he had won and it just developed.
There are lots of good athletes that we take for granted at whatever level they reach. Simon is one of those that has been a fixture during the past 10 years - a very secure fixture.
No matter how many features I compile on the manxathletics.com site there is always someone who feels they don't get the recognition they deserve but hopefully the spotlight will continue to fall on lots of people - just not all at once.
10 years of results now
I've just input 2006 race 3 and all three races from 2001.
This is a gem - final race from 2001. International cross country runner Keith Gerrard finished 7th and professional cyclist Peter Kennaugh was 27th.
This is a gem - final race from 2001. International cross country runner Keith Gerrard finished 7th and professional cyclist Peter Kennaugh was 27th.
Database to get bigger
Alan Franklin has just sent me the missing the result from 2006 and I have found all three races from 2001 so I will be adding more later.
Problem creating PDF
I was going to publish my full list of data from the hill running league but I am having problems creating a pdf file. I'll try from work at lunchtime.
As usual with these things there will be a few typos and I have just discovered a couple which prevented some of the names being associated with the correct spelling. As a result of the corrections Rose Hooton has just gone up to 19 finishes and Richie Stevenson to 12. When I do publish the list, please let me have an corrections you suggest may be necessary.
As usual with these things there will be a few typos and I have just discovered a couple which prevented some of the names being associated with the correct spelling. As a result of the corrections Rose Hooton has just gone up to 19 finishes and Richie Stevenson to 12. When I do publish the list, please let me have an corrections you suggest may be necessary.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Ann Widdecombe supports the website
I would never have got away with three hours working on the hill running database if Marie had not gone to the Gaiety to see the above tonight.
I've now got all the results bar one since 2002 in the database - the final race in 2006 is the only one missing now.
I'm not sure if I will go back any earlier than 2002.
I've now got all the results bar one since 2002 in the database - the final race in 2006 is the only one missing now.
I'm not sure if I will go back any earlier than 2002.
So much changes in 5 years
I've added a few more names to the Hill Running database (round 1 from 2005) and its amazing how much changes in five years.
Tony Okell was at the front on all surfaces, Gail Musson and Christine Barwell were unmarried, Kevin Loundes had just appeared at 14th but Simon Skillicorn was still winning!
Tony Okell was at the front on all surfaces, Gail Musson and Christine Barwell were unmarried, Kevin Loundes had just appeared at 14th but Simon Skillicorn was still winning!
Christmas?
I went out for my run this morning and headed through Ridgeway Street where I found half of the Douglas Corporation staff erecting the Christmas tree.
Whilst I get bombarded by email adverts telling me I must have and must buy for "the holidays" - the big commercial sellers who are afraid to mention Christmas in case they offend someone, there are all these other people trying to make it the twelve months of Christmas instead of the traditional twelve days of Christmas.
Tuesday 16 NOVEMBER
Whilst I get bombarded by email adverts telling me I must have and must buy for "the holidays" - the big commercial sellers who are afraid to mention Christmas in case they offend someone, there are all these other people trying to make it the twelve months of Christmas instead of the traditional twelve days of Christmas.
Tuesday 16 NOVEMBER
Monday, 15 November 2010
Crosby Stills, Nash & Peel Hill
I took a break from inputting times from the 2006 Winter League Hill Races to watch some TV with Marie and we ended up watching Neil Diamond covers from the BBC2 night of Neil Diamond music on Saturday. I saw the Hollies doing one and ended up watching more of their old stuff on YouTube and (as Graham Nash was a founder member) that took me to Crosby Stills & Nash.....and then back to Peel Hill!
I've just input Peel Hill from 2006. Earlier I did Glen Ruy from 2006. Thanks to Tom Cringle for sending me the results from Peel Hill in 2008.
I've now got 13 races in the database (I can't find St Johns 2006) and Simon Skillicorn is the only ever present.
But Peter Coooper is there in 12:
18 Peter Cooper 00:19:07 2006/1 Glen Roy
20 Peter Cooper 00:25:35 2006/2 Peel
21 Peter Cooper 00:20:55 2007/1 Glen Roy
21 Peter Cooper 00:27:04 2007/2 Peel
19 Peter Cooper 00:24:59 2007/3 St Johns
20 Peter Cooper 00:27:44 2008/2 Peel
22 Peter Cooper 00:28:25 2008/3 St Johns
19 Peter Cooper 00:19:14 2009/1 Glen Roy
17 Peter Cooper 00:27:41 2009/2 Peel
25 Peter Cooper 00:26:33 2009/3 St Johns
38 Peter Cooper 00:22:26 2010/1 Cringle
32 Peter Cooper 00:25:19 2010/2 Peel
I've just input Peel Hill from 2006. Earlier I did Glen Ruy from 2006. Thanks to Tom Cringle for sending me the results from Peel Hill in 2008.
I've now got 13 races in the database (I can't find St Johns 2006) and Simon Skillicorn is the only ever present.
But Peter Coooper is there in 12:
18 Peter Cooper 00:19:07 2006/1 Glen Roy
20 Peter Cooper 00:25:35 2006/2 Peel
21 Peter Cooper 00:20:55 2007/1 Glen Roy
21 Peter Cooper 00:27:04 2007/2 Peel
19 Peter Cooper 00:24:59 2007/3 St Johns
20 Peter Cooper 00:27:44 2008/2 Peel
22 Peter Cooper 00:28:25 2008/3 St Johns
19 Peter Cooper 00:19:14 2009/1 Glen Roy
17 Peter Cooper 00:27:41 2009/2 Peel
25 Peter Cooper 00:26:33 2009/3 St Johns
38 Peter Cooper 00:22:26 2010/1 Cringle
32 Peter Cooper 00:25:19 2010/2 Peel
As usual I did more than planned
Last night I tried to build the results from the Isle of Man Bank Hill Running league into a database so that I could extract Simon Skillicorn's performances - you have probably seen the feature by now.
I had some fun trying to collect the data, particularly getting the times into a standard format, without retyping the data.
I have just input the missing times (round 2 from 2008) and so here is a list of how many times each runner has finished a race since 2007:
Simon Skillicorn - 11 ; Kevin Groom - 11 ; Geoff Hall - 11 ; Lewis Veale - 10 ; Peter Cooper - 10 ; Lorraine Stigant - 10 ; Dave Young - 9 ; David Quine - 9 ; Barry Moore - 9 ; Rachael Franklin - 9 ; Ian Callister - 9 ; Dave Griffin - 9 ; Ian Gale - 9 ; Alan Pilling - 8 ; Tom Cringle - 8 ; Tom Williams - 8 ; Brian Osborne - 7 ; Alan Sandford - 7 ; Peter Bradley - 7 ; Julie Cretney - 6 ; Rose Hooton - 6 ; Les Brown - 6 ; Paul Jackson - 5 ; John Wright - 5 ; Rosy Craine - 5 ; Gianni Epifani - 5 ; Christine O Shea - 5 ; Alison Corlett - 5 ; Roger Moughtin - 5 ; Jan Gledhill - 5 ; Jim Reid - 5 ; Mike Quine - 5 ; Sarah Hewson - 4 ; Rob Gillanders - 4 ; Phil Cain - 4 ; Christine Barwell - 4 ; Andy Watson - 4 ; Andy Gosland - 4 ; Stephen Kennaugh - 4 ; Eric Lee - 4 ; Richard Sille - 4 ; Neville Jewell - 4 ; Jordon Lee - 4 ; Anthony Bell-Scott - 4 ; Bridget Kaneen - 4 ; Jason Moore - 4 ; Shaun Moore - 4 ; Paul Lewthwaite - 4 ; Cal Partington - 4 ; Dave Collister - 4 ; Niall McGarrigle - 4 ; Ann Cain - 3 ; Lloyd Taggart - 3 ; Paul Sheard - 3 ; Dave Gelling - 3 ; John Crellin - 3 ; Peter O Shea - 3 ; Steve Taggart - 3 ; Mark Preston - 3 ; Jackie Lee - 3 ; Andy Gosnell - 3 ; Paul Cawley - 3 ; Michael George - 3 ; Simon Cox - 3 ; Richie Stevenson - 3 ; Aaron Livsey - 3 ; Mike Gellion - 3 ; Eleanor Gawne - 3 ; Rob Sellors - 3 ; Lynne Quine - 3 ; Tony Varley - 3 ; Lucy Veale - 3 ; John Knight - 2 ; Richard Trubshaw - 2 ; Peter Kaneen - 2 ; Dave Isherwood - 2 ; Alison Clague - 2 ; Lesley Webb - 2 ; Steve Partington - 2 ; Debby Ashe - 2 ; Richard Corlett - 2 ; Debra Smith - 2 ; Rob Webb - 2 ; Mark Harvey - 2 ; Jim Gale - 2 ; Mark Murphy - 2 ; Steve Hull - 2 ; Andy Barron - 2 ; Terence George - 2 ; Fraser Veale - 2 ; Peter OShea - 2 ; Neil Wilson - 2 ; Richard Orton - 2 ; Paul Clarke - 2 ; James Betteridge - 2 ; Caroline Caren - 2 ; Robbie Callister - 2 ; Paul Killey - 2 ; Ryan Gartland - 2 ; Gill Crennell - 2 ; Dave Cain - 2 ; Paul Renshaw - 2 ; Stephen Quirk - 2 ; Glen Weir - 2 ; Steve Kelly - 2 ; Paul Trees - 2 ; John Swindlehurst - 2 ; Godfrey Clayton - 2 ; Thomas Maier - 2 ; Graham Stigant - 2 ; Justiine Bowen - 2 ; Sally Hardy - 1 ; Mark Humphrey - 1 ; Nigel Quaye - 1 ; Paul Sykes - 1 ; Angus Robb - 1 ; Eleanor Chapman - 1 ; Sharen Gardner - 1 ; Andrew Nash - 1 ; Ken Watterson - 1 ; Michael Williams - 1 ; Allan Thomson - 1 ; Keiron Wall - 1 ; Adam Denard - 1 ; Guy Wiltcher - 1 ; Sarah Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Ben Hardy - 1 ; Simon Atherton - 1 ; Aalin Clague - 1 ; George Miller - 1 ; Chris Fargher - 1 ; Lee Tyrer - 1 ; Phil Carr - 1 ; Tom Bateson - 1 ; Polly Rogerson - 1 ; Ben Scott - 1 ; Ian Chambers - 1 ; Nick Percival - 1 ; Rachel Holden - 1 ; Nicola Sherrard - 1 ; Rebecca Wallace - 1 ; Sarah Curphey - 1 ; Mike Venables - 1 ; Nicola Wade - 1 ; Richard George - 1 ; Jim Macgregor - 1 ; Miles Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Daniel Roberts - 1 ; Chris Kirk - 1 ; Olli Heinikoski - 1 ; Bethany Clague - 1 ; David Wilkinson - 1 ; Christian Varley - 1 ; Justine Bowen - 1 ; Jake Nathan - 1 ; Paul Quine - 1 ; Garry Bews - 1 ; Toby Wiltcher - 1 ; Rob Sorby - 1 ; Allan Corran - 1 ; Ali Clague - 1 ; Andrew Lodge - 1 ; Nick Coole - 1 ; John Quine - 1 ; Robbie Lambden - 1 ; Dave Looker - 1 ; James Bishop - 1 ; Peter O'Shea - 1 ;
I had some fun trying to collect the data, particularly getting the times into a standard format, without retyping the data.
I have just input the missing times (round 2 from 2008) and so here is a list of how many times each runner has finished a race since 2007:
Simon Skillicorn - 11 ; Kevin Groom - 11 ; Geoff Hall - 11 ; Lewis Veale - 10 ; Peter Cooper - 10 ; Lorraine Stigant - 10 ; Dave Young - 9 ; David Quine - 9 ; Barry Moore - 9 ; Rachael Franklin - 9 ; Ian Callister - 9 ; Dave Griffin - 9 ; Ian Gale - 9 ; Alan Pilling - 8 ; Tom Cringle - 8 ; Tom Williams - 8 ; Brian Osborne - 7 ; Alan Sandford - 7 ; Peter Bradley - 7 ; Julie Cretney - 6 ; Rose Hooton - 6 ; Les Brown - 6 ; Paul Jackson - 5 ; John Wright - 5 ; Rosy Craine - 5 ; Gianni Epifani - 5 ; Christine O Shea - 5 ; Alison Corlett - 5 ; Roger Moughtin - 5 ; Jan Gledhill - 5 ; Jim Reid - 5 ; Mike Quine - 5 ; Sarah Hewson - 4 ; Rob Gillanders - 4 ; Phil Cain - 4 ; Christine Barwell - 4 ; Andy Watson - 4 ; Andy Gosland - 4 ; Stephen Kennaugh - 4 ; Eric Lee - 4 ; Richard Sille - 4 ; Neville Jewell - 4 ; Jordon Lee - 4 ; Anthony Bell-Scott - 4 ; Bridget Kaneen - 4 ; Jason Moore - 4 ; Shaun Moore - 4 ; Paul Lewthwaite - 4 ; Cal Partington - 4 ; Dave Collister - 4 ; Niall McGarrigle - 4 ; Ann Cain - 3 ; Lloyd Taggart - 3 ; Paul Sheard - 3 ; Dave Gelling - 3 ; John Crellin - 3 ; Peter O Shea - 3 ; Steve Taggart - 3 ; Mark Preston - 3 ; Jackie Lee - 3 ; Andy Gosnell - 3 ; Paul Cawley - 3 ; Michael George - 3 ; Simon Cox - 3 ; Richie Stevenson - 3 ; Aaron Livsey - 3 ; Mike Gellion - 3 ; Eleanor Gawne - 3 ; Rob Sellors - 3 ; Lynne Quine - 3 ; Tony Varley - 3 ; Lucy Veale - 3 ; John Knight - 2 ; Richard Trubshaw - 2 ; Peter Kaneen - 2 ; Dave Isherwood - 2 ; Alison Clague - 2 ; Lesley Webb - 2 ; Steve Partington - 2 ; Debby Ashe - 2 ; Richard Corlett - 2 ; Debra Smith - 2 ; Rob Webb - 2 ; Mark Harvey - 2 ; Jim Gale - 2 ; Mark Murphy - 2 ; Steve Hull - 2 ; Andy Barron - 2 ; Terence George - 2 ; Fraser Veale - 2 ; Peter OShea - 2 ; Neil Wilson - 2 ; Richard Orton - 2 ; Paul Clarke - 2 ; James Betteridge - 2 ; Caroline Caren - 2 ; Robbie Callister - 2 ; Paul Killey - 2 ; Ryan Gartland - 2 ; Gill Crennell - 2 ; Dave Cain - 2 ; Paul Renshaw - 2 ; Stephen Quirk - 2 ; Glen Weir - 2 ; Steve Kelly - 2 ; Paul Trees - 2 ; John Swindlehurst - 2 ; Godfrey Clayton - 2 ; Thomas Maier - 2 ; Graham Stigant - 2 ; Justiine Bowen - 2 ; Sally Hardy - 1 ; Mark Humphrey - 1 ; Nigel Quaye - 1 ; Paul Sykes - 1 ; Angus Robb - 1 ; Eleanor Chapman - 1 ; Sharen Gardner - 1 ; Andrew Nash - 1 ; Ken Watterson - 1 ; Michael Williams - 1 ; Allan Thomson - 1 ; Keiron Wall - 1 ; Adam Denard - 1 ; Guy Wiltcher - 1 ; Sarah Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Ben Hardy - 1 ; Simon Atherton - 1 ; Aalin Clague - 1 ; George Miller - 1 ; Chris Fargher - 1 ; Lee Tyrer - 1 ; Phil Carr - 1 ; Tom Bateson - 1 ; Polly Rogerson - 1 ; Ben Scott - 1 ; Ian Chambers - 1 ; Nick Percival - 1 ; Rachel Holden - 1 ; Nicola Sherrard - 1 ; Rebecca Wallace - 1 ; Sarah Curphey - 1 ; Mike Venables - 1 ; Nicola Wade - 1 ; Richard George - 1 ; Jim Macgregor - 1 ; Miles Glynn-Davies - 1 ; Daniel Roberts - 1 ; Chris Kirk - 1 ; Olli Heinikoski - 1 ; Bethany Clague - 1 ; David Wilkinson - 1 ; Christian Varley - 1 ; Justine Bowen - 1 ; Jake Nathan - 1 ; Paul Quine - 1 ; Garry Bews - 1 ; Toby Wiltcher - 1 ; Rob Sorby - 1 ; Allan Corran - 1 ; Ali Clague - 1 ; Andrew Lodge - 1 ; Nick Coole - 1 ; John Quine - 1 ; Robbie Lambden - 1 ; Dave Looker - 1 ; James Bishop - 1 ; Peter O'Shea - 1 ;
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Record number of photographers
I've never seen so many people taking photos of a race as there were at Peel yesterday for the Isle of Man Bank Hill Race.
There was another good entry and I got my photos published and my video edited just about as planned.
Received a couple of messages from Nigel Armstrong in India. He thinks it is hot - locals think it is quite cool. He is doing a 50km race while Emma tackles twice the distance.
We were out with friends last night which was enjoyable but not good for recovering fitness.
There was another good entry and I got my photos published and my video edited just about as planned.
Received a couple of messages from Nigel Armstrong in India. He thinks it is hot - locals think it is quite cool. He is doing a 50km race while Emma tackles twice the distance.
We were out with friends last night which was enjoyable but not good for recovering fitness.
Friday, 12 November 2010
FW: Baildon Boundary Way 2011
From: Baildon Runners [mailto:baildonrunners@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: 11 November 2010 15:07
To: undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Baildon Boundary Way 2011
| Hi Baildon Runners wish to announce that online entries at www.runbritain.com/onlineentry will open at 10:00am on Wednesday, 17 November 2010 for the 17th Baildon Boundary Way (a multi-terrain half marathon) that will take place on Sunday, 10 April 2011. Runners from your club have taken part in the event in the past and we would be very grateful if you would kindly publicise our event within your club. When the online capacity for runners has been reached, we will place a postal entry form on our website www.baildonrunners.tk and will accept a limited number of entries by post. This email has been sent using the 'bcc' facility, which means we can email groups of people without disclosing email addresses. This saves us much time, keeps email addresses confidential to reduce 'spam', but the downside is that we cannot personalise this. Please forgive us for this! Apologies if the email address used is directed to the wrong person. If we have not got the correct address, we would be very grateful if you would forward this to the correct person within your club, and if you would kindly send a brief reply advising of the correct email address. This will help to save troubling you again in the future. Equally apologies if you receive this email more than once. In some instances we have more than one contact address for a club. Please let us know your preferred address to use. Many thanks. Baildon Runners |
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Thursday, 11 November 2010
At last
I've finally got the latest "Syd Quirk" feature completed. Lots of interruptions tonight.
What a night and what a good decision to cancel the Ramsey Fireman's runs tonight.
What a night and what a good decision to cancel the Ramsey Fireman's runs tonight.
Can't log on
We're having some work done in our kitchen and I think the power has been off with the result that my home PC has been switched off and so I can't log on from work to access the website files. So no update now after all (or catching up with emails).
Gives me a chance to find out what has been happening in the world.
Gives me a chance to find out what has been happening in the world.
On hold
I good day at work yesterday was concluded with an excellent meal at the Rushen Abbey Hotel.
I got up at 6 am this morning (with a sore head!) with the aim of getting another Syd Quirk feature but I've spent the first hour reviewing more than 100 emails received yesterday and done the most important responses.
I am about to start my comeback after 10 days off with a run in the rain and I have just remembered that I left the cottage uncleaned on Saturday when I was ill so I had better stop and put some washing on on my way to work.
In short then, no time to do anything else this morning. Maybe at lunchtime.
I got up at 6 am this morning (with a sore head!) with the aim of getting another Syd Quirk feature but I've spent the first hour reviewing more than 100 emails received yesterday and done the most important responses.
I am about to start my comeback after 10 days off with a run in the rain and I have just remembered that I left the cottage uncleaned on Saturday when I was ill so I had better stop and put some washing on on my way to work.
In short then, no time to do anything else this morning. Maybe at lunchtime.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Offline
I've got a busy day at work today which will prevent my usual lunch time dabbles on the site and, as the commitments extend to this evening, it is unlikely that I will update the site tonight either. I have a small amount of time in the early evening but I need that for the same family matter that prevented my attendance at the Manx Harriers AGM last night.
Over the years many people have asked me about the best age to run long distance events and I have commented many times that you do not have to be over 40 to run half marathons or to do the Parish Walk. Its only that so many people don't tackle the events when they are at their peak that gives the impression that you need to be old. I have always randomly said that your peak years, depending on how long you have you have been in the sport, should be between 25 and 35.
With this in mind it is quite enlightening to see the ages of the fastest times in the Syd Quirk Half Marathon. Most of the top times were set between these ages. Yes, Lloyd Taggart and Tony Okell are to be admired for the times they set were they were forty somethings, but had they been running in the event 10 years earlier they would have been a lot faster still.
Its the first time that I have tried to add ages to the performances in any of the events that I have built databases for so I will need some help to identify ages. If you can help me I should be grateful.
Over the years many people have asked me about the best age to run long distance events and I have commented many times that you do not have to be over 40 to run half marathons or to do the Parish Walk. Its only that so many people don't tackle the events when they are at their peak that gives the impression that you need to be old. I have always randomly said that your peak years, depending on how long you have you have been in the sport, should be between 25 and 35.
With this in mind it is quite enlightening to see the ages of the fastest times in the Syd Quirk Half Marathon. Most of the top times were set between these ages. Yes, Lloyd Taggart and Tony Okell are to be admired for the times they set were they were forty somethings, but had they been running in the event 10 years earlier they would have been a lot faster still.
Its the first time that I have tried to add ages to the performances in any of the events that I have built databases for so I will need some help to identify ages. If you can help me I should be grateful.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
A lot of people
512 different people visited the site on Sunday and there 413 yesterday.
I've just done some tidying up to the Dave Newton feature and added prominent links to the two events to be held this week.
I've just done some tidying up to the Dave Newton feature and added prominent links to the two events to be held this week.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Dave Newton's been good for my cross country season
Only a few hours ago I was going to abandon any thoughts of racing until the Spring. Then I started looking through old photos searching for those with Dave Newton's racing smile and it made me realise I couldn't go a winter without cross country.
What makes a great event
The Syd Quirk Half Marathon has always been one of my favourite events. Why? I've had to think long and hard about answering my own question.
Back in 1976, when the event was first held, we didn't have many road races. The Peel to Douglas, TT40 and the Easter Festival were about the sum total. Boundary Harriers had lots of walking races on roads but running races, which were the domain of the rival Manx AC, put their effort into the famous three and a lot more into the track and field events.
After the revival of the Southern AC (who first staged the Syd Quirk in 1976 - named one of their members and president) came the formation of the Western AC and Northern AC. The Manx Fell Runners were spun out of the Manx Mountain Marathon Organisation and the Isle of Man Veteran Athletes Club, initially for second claim members only, joined the rivalry.
With seven Manx clubs for 60,000 people the road racing (and general fixture list) went mad.
We had races from Peel to Castletown (later reversed), Douglas to Castletown, 20 mile races, Western 10, Northern 10, Southern 10, Rotoraid 10, Boundary Half Marathon, Boundary Stroll run, and briefly a Southern Mad Day Race and a Ramsey Easter Monday Half Marathon. And no doubt others than I have omitted. We had series of races around North, South, East and West.
Only a few have survived due to a mixture of luck, skill and hard work.
Where does the luck come in for the Syd Quirk? Although all road courses are potentially dangerous, the course for the half marathon is better than most. And there have also been options to bring about change, such as making use of the Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, which did not exist for other events such as the Boundary Stroll.
The skill and the hard work have probably gone hand in hand.
Mike Gellion who was the leader of the gang that organised the race for several years saw the switch from the Southern AC to the Veterans Club. He brought with him Judy Morrey as timekeeper and the chairman of the Veterans Club has always been a southern man, Colin Watterson. Numbers dropped to 15 in 1995 - thank goodness for Mike et al.
The organisers have never shied away from change, although neither have they allowed themselves to be pushed, moving over time from afternoon to late morning and then to early morning There have been two changes to the starting position and one to the end. A walking race was introduced and the buffet has long been a tradition.
The event has gone from strength to strength under Marie Jackson's hand and there is no doubt that adoption to change has brought it rewards.
I think my liking of the event must come from the tradition, the nature of the course, the standard of the organisation and the willingness of the organisers to keep tweaking the event. I've made plenty of suggestions for change over the years but have tried to do so in a positive way such as when I took on the results processing job in 2005.
I was disappointed not to run it this year but my 14 finishes make me one of the most experienced competitors in the event and I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this year's event as without them I would not have the chance to get number 15 under my belt next year. Special thanks to Marie Jackson who I greatly admire for sticking to her guns and not accepting late entries or allowing to switch events.
There is so much to be gained from having a list of competitors listed in advance - another of the things that stands out about this event.
I'll be continuing to produce content about the event throughout the week.
Back in 1976, when the event was first held, we didn't have many road races. The Peel to Douglas, TT40 and the Easter Festival were about the sum total. Boundary Harriers had lots of walking races on roads but running races, which were the domain of the rival Manx AC, put their effort into the famous three and a lot more into the track and field events.
After the revival of the Southern AC (who first staged the Syd Quirk in 1976 - named one of their members and president) came the formation of the Western AC and Northern AC. The Manx Fell Runners were spun out of the Manx Mountain Marathon Organisation and the Isle of Man Veteran Athletes Club, initially for second claim members only, joined the rivalry.
With seven Manx clubs for 60,000 people the road racing (and general fixture list) went mad.
We had races from Peel to Castletown (later reversed), Douglas to Castletown, 20 mile races, Western 10, Northern 10, Southern 10, Rotoraid 10, Boundary Half Marathon, Boundary Stroll run, and briefly a Southern Mad Day Race and a Ramsey Easter Monday Half Marathon. And no doubt others than I have omitted. We had series of races around North, South, East and West.
Only a few have survived due to a mixture of luck, skill and hard work.
Where does the luck come in for the Syd Quirk? Although all road courses are potentially dangerous, the course for the half marathon is better than most. And there have also been options to bring about change, such as making use of the Ronaldsway Industrial Estate, which did not exist for other events such as the Boundary Stroll.
The skill and the hard work have probably gone hand in hand.
Mike Gellion who was the leader of the gang that organised the race for several years saw the switch from the Southern AC to the Veterans Club. He brought with him Judy Morrey as timekeeper and the chairman of the Veterans Club has always been a southern man, Colin Watterson. Numbers dropped to 15 in 1995 - thank goodness for Mike et al.
The organisers have never shied away from change, although neither have they allowed themselves to be pushed, moving over time from afternoon to late morning and then to early morning There have been two changes to the starting position and one to the end. A walking race was introduced and the buffet has long been a tradition.
The event has gone from strength to strength under Marie Jackson's hand and there is no doubt that adoption to change has brought it rewards.
I think my liking of the event must come from the tradition, the nature of the course, the standard of the organisation and the willingness of the organisers to keep tweaking the event. I've made plenty of suggestions for change over the years but have tried to do so in a positive way such as when I took on the results processing job in 2005.
I was disappointed not to run it this year but my 14 finishes make me one of the most experienced competitors in the event and I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this year's event as without them I would not have the chance to get number 15 under my belt next year. Special thanks to Marie Jackson who I greatly admire for sticking to her guns and not accepting late entries or allowing to switch events.
There is so much to be gained from having a list of competitors listed in advance - another of the things that stands out about this event.
I'll be continuing to produce content about the event throughout the week.
No lights to stop traffic lights or crossing gates
What a relief to go through Richmond Hill this morning without traffic lights. But if you are going through today, take care as there as the road markings have no resemblance to the current traffic path.
And the trains have finished for the year so there will not be much to see from our office windows.
But mark this in your diary. The penultimate train to Port Erin in 2011 is scheduled for 10.20 on 6 November 2011. Let's hope that something is done to avoid runners being held up and then being credited with this time (outside of uka rules) and being lifted ahead of runners they were behind when they were stopped.
Its not cricket and its definitely not cricket weather.
And the trains have finished for the year so there will not be much to see from our office windows.
But mark this in your diary. The penultimate train to Port Erin in 2011 is scheduled for 10.20 on 6 November 2011. Let's hope that something is done to avoid runners being held up and then being credited with this time (outside of uka rules) and being lifted ahead of runners they were behind when they were stopped.
Its not cricket and its definitely not cricket weather.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Intermission
I've made much more progress in the past 45 minutes but I'm feeling a bit rough again now (not just because of the football) so I am going against my urge to keep going on the site for the rest of the evening and have a break.
I know that there are lots of good performances to highlight and I shall chip away at them throughout the week.
I know that there are lots of good performances to highlight and I shall chip away at them throughout the week.
Video will have to wait
I've been working flat out on the site since I got home but without a lot to show for it. the video of the run is almost finished but I've had a few snags and I can't find some of the clips. I might opt for a shorter version but in any event I have to go out now and I want to catch up with some of the sport when I get back.
More photos
The photos of the run for the first time are now available but all the remaining photos will have to wait until after the presentations and when I get home.
Just had an unfriendly greeting from Alan Pilling. It seems that I made a mistake last year crediting him with 29 finishes and so this year will be his 29th not 30th. Nobody had told me in a year and I could do without it today.
Just had an unfriendly greeting from Alan Pilling. It seems that I made a mistake last year crediting him with 29 finishes and so this year will be his 29th not 30th. Nobody had told me in a year and I could do without it today.
Up to speed
Perfect conditions today.
An absolute joy travelling down from Douglas to Ballasalla via St Marks.
Photos already published from the first lap of the walk.
The video is just starting to upload.
The run is about to start so I will be going back outside soon.
An absolute joy travelling down from Douglas to Ballasalla via St Marks.
Photos already published from the first lap of the walk.
The video is just starting to upload.
The run is about to start so I will be going back outside soon.
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Normal service resumed
Having spent most of the day in my sick bed and thinking that I would be unable to do the results tomorrow, I've been getting my gear ready not just for results but for video and photos too.
I'm planning to be at Ballasalla for the walkers and to get photos online by about 9.00 and possibly some video before getting to the start of the run.
I'm planning to be at Ballasalla for the walkers and to get photos online by about 9.00 and possibly some video before getting to the start of the run.
Friday, 5 November 2010
I hate to admit it....
...but I've had my laptop beside my bed the last couple of nights.
I've had a bug which has left me without any energy and shivering in a hot room. So for the last couple of nights I have taken myself to bed early but its amazing how many things you can still do on the internet even when you are unwell.
At least this made up my mind that I should definitely not compete on Sunday. I just hope that I can do the results.
I've had a bug which has left me without any energy and shivering in a hot room. So for the last couple of nights I have taken myself to bed early but its amazing how many things you can still do on the internet even when you are unwell.
At least this made up my mind that I should definitely not compete on Sunday. I just hope that I can do the results.
Bad luck if you are hoping to break 1.30 on Sunday
The level crossing gate at Ballasalla closed at 10:21:50 today - just as a 1.30 half marathon runner would be reaching on Sunday. The gates remained closed for 1 minute and 50 seconds which means that it would block anyone with a finishing time up to 1:33:10. Based on last year's finishing times that would see 6 people held at the gates so with a bigger field this year perhaps 8 or 9 people will be held up at the gates.
On maybe we will be lucky - two years ago there was a gap of 2 minutes and 42 seconds between 20 and 21st at they were the runners at he pace who are going to get stopped on Sunday. Not sure about the walkers.
On maybe we will be lucky - two years ago there was a gap of 2 minutes and 42 seconds between 20 and 21st at they were the runners at he pace who are going to get stopped on Sunday. Not sure about the walkers.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Today's obscure statistic
What a wonderful entry for the Syd Quirk. No wonder that Marie Jackson has been so busy.
I've just put a bit on the front page about the number of finishers each year and thought I would look for some other odd facts.
John Leece has the honour of the fastest time for 10th position in 1:18;50 in 1990. Last year the 10th place was 1:27:43 - believe me when I say that standards are not as high as they used to be. But for the moment, lets celebrate the record entry....and getting past Ballasalla Station when the train departs for Port Erin at 10.20 on Sunday!
I've just put a bit on the front page about the number of finishers each year and thought I would look for some other odd facts.
John Leece has the honour of the fastest time for 10th position in 1:18;50 in 1990. Last year the 10th place was 1:27:43 - believe me when I say that standards are not as high as they used to be. But for the moment, lets celebrate the record entry....and getting past Ballasalla Station when the train departs for Port Erin at 10.20 on Sunday!
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Graham's new website
I frequently check the other Manx websites to see if there are any new stories to highlight and link to and I noticed recently that Graham Davies's site has been re-designed and branded as "Road Runner - Manx Athletics". The features, however, appear to be cross country and track and field and the domain is http://www.iomathletics.co.uk/.
Check it out now.
Check it out now.
In the time I spoke to Martin....
After the football on TV tonight I "caught up" up with the my brother Martin who I hadn't spoken to for a month or so if you ignore the half time chat!
We put the world to rights and my phone displayed 1:13:11 at the end. Some people can run a half marathon in that time.
In fact he told me about one who almost did. His nephew Andrew Kaighin (above) ran 1:16:08 recently and he is still only 19. Not sure how many Manx athletes have run faster this year but only a few.
Andrew's father Bill (who is a sister of Martin's wife Gill) went to school with me and I remember him as an outstanding athlete but more in the sprints and the long jump. Andrew has competed at least twice on the soil of his heritage - last year in the Great South Run and the Manx Cross Country Championships at Pulrose a few years ago.
You can see his profile here:
25
Its very easy for me to dig into the statistics for the Syd Quirk Half Marathon as I completed a database of all results (apart from one year) a long time ago and so the hard work has been done. I've also compiled the race results for the past few years so it is easy to update and re-publish.
I've always been proud of one of my times in the race when I dipped under 71 minutes in 1981. I knew it was still well up on the overall rankings but was surprised, when I revisited the stats on Monday evening, to realise that I was 6th best and to see just how little change there has been to the ranking list during the past 15 years.
I was two or three weeks past my 25th birthday when I did my time. Officially I was in a rest period after a very long season of race walking which finished at the end of September with a 9.38 100km. I raced the York 7 miles (recent visitor Peter Ryan pipped me for 3rd) and the first winter league walk in October but I had a quiet month. I slipped in a couple of lunch time runs around the Southern 100 course (I was working at Ronaldsway Aircraft Company at the time) and that was my preparation for the Syd Quirk. I was blown away by Steve Kelly and Dave Lockley on the first lap but I managed to get past Dave Newton. Then Dave L dropped out and I chased Steve from a distance of a third of a mile - close enough to see him most of the time. My run barely got a mention in the newspaper because Steve was setting such high standards.
This year the race is four days after our son Robbie's 25th birthday. He made his debut in the race last year and was very proud to win the merit award. He has entered this year but unfortunately won't be taking part now and his birthday today is not quiet as happy as it should be. Hopefully he will be back in action later in the winter in the cross country and the Ramsey Firemans which he won last year.
A few family matters kept me away from the website and football on TV last night. Not least when my mother-in-law got her key stuck in her front door. I was hoping that nobody with a camera would see me trying to break into her flat in Windsor Terrace!
I've always been proud of one of my times in the race when I dipped under 71 minutes in 1981. I knew it was still well up on the overall rankings but was surprised, when I revisited the stats on Monday evening, to realise that I was 6th best and to see just how little change there has been to the ranking list during the past 15 years.
I was two or three weeks past my 25th birthday when I did my time. Officially I was in a rest period after a very long season of race walking which finished at the end of September with a 9.38 100km. I raced the York 7 miles (recent visitor Peter Ryan pipped me for 3rd) and the first winter league walk in October but I had a quiet month. I slipped in a couple of lunch time runs around the Southern 100 course (I was working at Ronaldsway Aircraft Company at the time) and that was my preparation for the Syd Quirk. I was blown away by Steve Kelly and Dave Lockley on the first lap but I managed to get past Dave Newton. Then Dave L dropped out and I chased Steve from a distance of a third of a mile - close enough to see him most of the time. My run barely got a mention in the newspaper because Steve was setting such high standards.
This year the race is four days after our son Robbie's 25th birthday. He made his debut in the race last year and was very proud to win the merit award. He has entered this year but unfortunately won't be taking part now and his birthday today is not quiet as happy as it should be. Hopefully he will be back in action later in the winter in the cross country and the Ramsey Firemans which he won last year.
A few family matters kept me away from the website and football on TV last night. Not least when my mother-in-law got her key stuck in her front door. I was hoping that nobody with a camera would see me trying to break into her flat in Windsor Terrace!
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