The day began with a fiercely contested 1k race with James Read from Northern Athletics edging out Stephen Waddington by just one second and Isaac Moore in third place, all the boys retaining their discipline and concentration very well.
All the other distances were ran concurrently, the 3k being the first to conclude with a clear victory for Mullingar Harrier, Rachel Glennon but there was a thrilling battle between Jason Turner and Tom Partington in the boy's race with the former crossing the line just one second ahead.
Leah Goddard was well adrift in fourth place but she is an age group below the other athletes so shouldn't be disheartened.
The 5k was dominated by the visiting Irish filling the first seven places with Manx Harriers' Rebecca Greatbach last but achieving a huge personal best mark. This showing the benefit of facing quality opposition.
Aaron Egan was at the head of the whole field, finishing one minute and thirteen seconds ahead of his nearest rival Anthony Tobin, his club mate from Clonmel.
In a much tighter contest, Sinead O'Connor of Celbridge was just four seconds to the better of Edel Glennon who narrowly failed to emulate her younger sister.
Ryan Cleary of Clonliffe was mixing it up with the leading 20k walkers for the first 8k or so but began to fade as he tired. Manx Harriers Adam Cowin by contrast had started more steadily. The result was that despite going faster than ever before (49:09) the local man failed to overhaul the visitor who was unaware of the challenge that reduced the deficit to a mere 3 seconds. Just returning from injury, Alex Eaton was over a minute in arrears with Sarah Bourke, the leading lady from St Cocas, clocking 56:37 in front of Sally Walker in second place.
Once probably the most important early season event for UKs & Ireland's leading walkers (though the distance varied depending on the challenges of the coming year,) what was formerly the blue riband event has suffered a bit of a decline over recent years.
However, with fourteen locals, defending champion, Davey Kidd from Ireland and Mark Byrne over from Sheffield, there were contests of great interest all through the race.
After settling into the opening laps, the Irishman steadily gained an advantage that probably extended to 25/30m. In second place, I feared that his claims of not having done enough work in training had been falsely laid but I was still hoping to cling on, hoping he'd tow me on to my first sub 100 minute time. occasion.
Although in previous contests, Davey has lapped me many times, fatherhood has brought its own challenges, so gradually I began to reel him and the 10k leader back to me. By the around 8k, I found myself not only level but at the front.
To come to the fore so early was unexpected but the difficulty was to maintain the high levels of energy and concentration right through to the end.
Although many people find the idea of 25 laps abhorrent, it is here for me that the N.S.C. comes into its own. It is easy to keep to a pace with 800m circuits and always having other athletes to chase down is another advantage. I was absolutely delighted to take victory with 97.31, a time that was 3 minute and 14 seconds better than my previous best,set in 2008. It was probably the slowest ever win at the event but I like to think that if only for my personal improvement, I deserved to take the trophy.
However, not everyone was quite so taken with the manner of my victory and there was massive disappointment in evidence from Tom Partington and Murray (camera ever ready) Lambden when I failed to produce my trademark chunder.
Jock Waddington was to earn second place in the closing stages and Richard Gerrard came home in 4th place. Vinny Lynch came 5th followed by Richard Wild in 6th. Unfortunately, Sunday proved to be a harsh learning experience for Michelle Turner who didn't take on any sports drink or jelly babies etc.
Nevertheless, 1:53:27 was respectable and I'm certain that her on her next attempt at this distance, she will be on her best form.
There were great battles throughout the race and though Dermot O'Toole may have brought up the rear, he certainly had the biggest smile.
Although I didn't witness the 10k run, it sounded like a superb effort from Andy Barron who pipped Alan Corlett by 8 seconds in 33:27 with supervet, Mike Garrett weighing in with yet another PB at 3rd with 34 minutes dead.
Caroline Mayer first lady home.
Full results can be found here:
http://www.manxathletics.com/manxharriers/MHmanxopen2013.htm
Thanks must go to Bridget Kaneen and all her team of helpers and officials all of whom contributed to a brilliant day.
