20km road walking championships (N.S.C. perimeter roadway, Douglas) 6/9/20
A very small entry for a meeting that has in very different circumstances to what we are experiencing this year been regularly attracting international athletes in recent times and not helped by an excess of fixtures since local competition restarted in June, a baffling 16 athletics fixtures in August alone.
However, the quality of performances from those who did race was as you would hope. Tom Partington retained his title from last year, in a time that was three minutes quicker than that win but was three minutes down on his personal best set in the British Championship in Leeds last year. Tom seemed disappointed, as training has been going well, but it is never easy having to use a race effectively as a time trial and his finish time was a very respectable performance. Runner-up Adam Cowin did well to finish as he had originally only planned to go to halfway. He has only recently returned to training and all credit to him for finishing the race and having recorded a baseline to work on in the coming months.
Jayne Farquhar took the ladies title in a time just 3 minutes down on her lifetime best and considering she had run a marathon just a few weeks ago, she can be very pleased to have recovered well enough to put in a sterling performance. Angie Robinson walked with metronomic pace and was clearly delighted with a three minute personal best, all walkers finishing well inside the 2½ cut off.
In the support events Mia Dunwell recorded a stunning debut performance in the 10km. She has just moved up an age group and for a first effort a 55 minute time is outstanding, showing she should have no trouble tackling this distance as a championship event and should be very competitive in the U.K.
The day did not go quite so well for training partner Keira Heavey, she recorded a solid ½ way split of 28.24, but had to call it a day with around 3 laps to complete the 10km. On her day, she is much better than this, as shown recently at the track championships and she will have better racing days ahead.
Keira’s younger sister Aalin was the only younger junior walking and her technique was top notch throughout her lap and ¼ of the track.
Thanks to all who came to support the competitors during what has been a very busy time for athletes and officials alike.
20km Road Walking Championships
Pos (No) Name Age Cat Club Finish Time (mins.secs);
1, (235) Tom Partington SM Manx Harriers 95.29;
2, (227) Adam Cowin SM Manx Harriers 125.12;
3, (228) Jayne Farquhar W50 Manx Harriers 130.28;
4, (234) Angie Robinson W50 Manx Harriers 142.24;
Support Events
10km
1, (159) Mia Dunwell U17W Northern A.C. 55.47;
5km
1, (160) Keira Heavey U20W Northern A.C. 28.24;
1km walk
1, (170) Aalin Heavey U9G Northern A.C. 9.00;