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The 2009 IOM Cross Country Championships were held last Sunday afternoon
on the lower slopes of Douglas Golf Course, Pulrose, in dry but bitterly
cold and windy conditions. The going was generally firm, but a few
slippery areas tested the wisdom of competitors’ footwear choices. The
Manx Harriers organised event also formed Round 4 of the Manx Gas Cross
Challenge series, and as an extra incentive double points were awarded
for this round of the league.
There was some highly competitive and exciting racing across all age
groups on a tough, undulating course. A total of 116 competitors faced
the starter, the biggest field for this event for 3 years, and all
should be congratulated on their performances in challenging conditions.
There are new names on both the senior trophies, 2008 runners-up Kevin
Loundes and Gail Griffiths taking their maiden IOM Cross Country
Championship titles by convincing margins. Loundes led the 4 ½ lap Men’s
race from start to finish, but in the early stages he was closely
shadowed by Darren Gray who has been in great form of late. By the
second full lap however, Loundes had broken away from his Manx Harriers
team mate and produced a high-class exhibition of powerful front running
as he relentlessly increased his advantage. At the line his victory
margin had grown to more than 1½ minutes, proving that his name is a
worthy addition to the list of some of the great names of Manx athletics
that adorn the trophy.
Darren Gray, a little heavy-legged after a demanding recent racing
schedule, came home in a clear 2nd place, but 20 seconds
behind him there was a battle royal for the bronze medal. For the first
3 laps there was nothing to choose between Martin Malone, Ed Gumbley and
Christian Varley, but on the final circuit Varley faded a little to
leave his two rivals to battle out a thrilling sprint finish into a
biting headwind. It was Malone who just edged the contest, showing great
finishing speed to underline his progress throughout the winter. The
ever-consistent Nigel Armstrong rounded off the top 6, and behind him
another close finish saw Mike Garrett edging away from triathlete Andy
Bell in the finishing straight. Veterans Andy Fox and Murray Lambden
completed the top 10.
The Ladies’ race over 2 laps of the course attracted a disappointing
field of only 4 competitors, but that takes nothing away from the
quality of the performances. Runner-up for the past two seasons, Gail
Griffiths was determined to go one better this time and underlined her
tremendous form this winter with another dominant run. She led from gun
to tape to seal her first IOM Cross Country Championship by a convincing
margin of 47 seconds.
Behind her there was a fascinating contest for the silver medal between
IOM 400m and 800m record holder Julie Harrison, and long distance
specialist Sarah Curphey. After the tightest of battles, the decisive
move was made by Harrison who proved that she still retains her track
speed. She powered away impressively in the closing stages to take the
silver medal by a 10 second margin, leaving
2007 champion Curphey to settle for the bronze this time.
The afternoon had begun with the younger age group races, and first away
were the Under 9s. The Boys’ race was narrowly won by Manx Harriers
athlete David Mullarkey who just managed to fend off Western AC’s Billy
Kennaugh with 5 seconds to spare. Andrew Gerrard took a good 3rd
place. There were several newcomers in the Girls’ race including all
three medallists. Erin Murphy looks a very good athlete in the making,
winning by 36 seconds – a great run. Ana Dawson just beat Laura
Dickinson to the silver medal in an exciting finish.
The U11 Boys class has been dominated all season by Western AC’s Will
Morris, and once again he was in a class of his own. His 58 second
victory margin was exceptional, and he goes from strength to strength.
It was a much closer contest between the next 5 athletes, the other
podium places eventually going to Owen Dudley and Jordan Cowin. The U11
Girls race saw a convincing and impressive victory for Katie Astin in
the absence of her main rival Danielle Barton. Aimee Cringle once again
ran well to clinch the silver medal, ahead of Josie McGarrigle who was a
little off colour after running so well in the recent Lancashire
Championships.
One of the performances of the day came from Alex Price in the U13 Boys
race. In the three previous rounds of the league the Manx Harriers
athlete had not beaten Shaun Moore, Jak Morris or Stephen Garrett, but
here produced an inspired run to beat them all – a fantastic effort by a
worthy champion. What a battle there was behind him, with just 1 second
separating the three aforementioned athletes. Moore crossed the line one
second ahead of Western AC team mate Morris, who in turn just edged out
Northern AC’s Garrett for the bronze medal despite being credited with
the same time. There was a close finish in the U13 Girls race too,
champion Alice Ashe just managing to keep ahead of a fast-finishing
Sosie Cox. Alexandra Ross took 3rd some way in arrears.
The U15 Boys, U15 Girls and U17 Ladies all raced together over the same
distance. Northern AC’s Nick Colburn deservedly won the U15 Boys title
with a strong run to finish 9 seconds clear of Sammy Holt, who in turn
had a 27 second advantage over Fraser Veale. Finishing just behind the
first two in this race was U17 Ladies winner Gemma Astin, who added yet
another gold medal to her collection. The recently crowned Lancashire
champion finished nearly 2 minutes clear of silver medallist Polly
Rogerson. Gemma’s sister Sarah completed an Astin treble on the day by
comfortably winning the U15 Girls title despite being well short of full
fitness after long-term injury. Hannah Scarlett ran well to take the
silver, but had to resist a strong challenge from the ever-competitive
Caitriona Cox.
There were quality races in the
U17 and Junior Men’s classes despite there being only 2 competitors in
each. Ryan Fairclough marked his return from illness and injury with
victory in the Junior Men’s race, but had to work hard to stay ahead of
triathlete Darren Bell who ran strongly throughout. The race between
Jordan Cain and Matthew Taylor in the U17s came down to a sprint finish
which was won by Manx Harriers’ Cain by the narrowest of margins.
Only 7 competitors turned out for the non-championship Short Course
race, which produced a maiden victory for Tim Nicholson of PDMS who has
steadily improved throughout the series.
A huge vote of thanks goes to the many people who worked so hard to put
on a great afternoon of athletics despite the perishing conditions. The
final round of the Manx Gas Cross Challenge series takes place at
Noble’s Park, Douglas, on Sunday 8th March with racing
starting at 2pm. Many of the league titles will be decided that day,
making it a race not to be missed!
David Griffiths 3rd February 2009
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