In his first off-Island competition race walker Samuel Fletcher secured victory in the Guernsey Church to Church Walk at the weekend. The event is celebrating its 80th birthday.
Samuel, from Manx Harriers, completed the 19.4-mile undulating course in 3 hours 7 minutes 45 seconds to take the win becoming only the second male Manx winner of the event after Michael George in 2010 and 2012. Many other Manx walkers have contested the race in the past, including Vinny Lynch, Jock Waddington and Steve Partington. Marie Jackson secured the ladies title in 2010 and 2011.
It has been an up and down season for Samuel who had high hopes for the Parish Walk after taking joint victory alongside Dave Walker in April’s 50km Firefighters Memorial Walk. After holding a top five position for most of the Parish, he was forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury after reaching approx 72 miles and retiring at Glen Mona.
Victory in the Guernsey Church to Church Walk was perfect preparation for the End to End Walk which take place later this month. Samuel finished second in 2015 and hopes to be among the leaders this year.
Image: Samuel Fletcher in the Guernsey Church to Church Walk at the weekend
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