Welbeck Hotel & Restaurant One Hour Challenge

Sporting event sponsorship continued Sunday 9th October with the seventh time that we have supported the 'One Hour Challenge' which is a novice race walk which Manx Harriers use to try and draw new people into taking up the discipline.

Indeed, it is only two years ago that Alex Eaton competed in it, his first ever event and now he is a twice English Schools winner and UK national champion and at 15 years of age led the field covering 11,636m in the sixty minutes.

Alex Eaton & Sally Walker
However, Michelle Turner was the 'Novice' winner maintaining a very stylish technique, a great credit to herself and coach, Steve Partington whose training sessions (Monday 1800 outside Ramsey Swimming Pool) are yielding some fine technicians. It would be even better to see some more juniors attend in the North or at the N.S.C.* where Elizabeth Corran runs junior coaching at 1700 on the same evening. *Track fees apply

The leading male was Noel Ash and it was great to see a total field of 40+ taking part.

The 'Experts' class was a very exciting race with the younger man & Peter Kaneen swapping the lead a few times. Eventually, youth prevailed as Alex pulled away over the final third.

Michelle Turner & Alex Ash with 2005 winner, me ;-)
Jock Waddington was able to overhaul Adam Cowin for third, the latter man struggling to hold his brisk early pace.

Three women were able to pass the 10,000m with the appropriately named, Sally Walker leading the way, 93m and 102m metres ahead of Sue Moore & Marie Jackson respectively. With Sue returning from almost a year out because of injury, Marie not quite at her best and the rapid improvement of Northern Athletic Club's Michelle Turner, the coming Winter Walking League promises great interest.

It was also excellent to see 15 junior athletes there, so lets hope it bodes well for the future.