Saturday 14th August 2010

THOMAS Taylor and Fiona McGorum collected the Midlands senior race-walking titles at Warwick University.

Leicester-based British international Taylor representing Birchfield Harriers, won the 30k senior men's in a time of 2hrs 38mins 58secs nine seconds ahead of Redcar’s Paul Evernett, who clocked 2.39.07. Leicester's Chris Berwick finished fifth in 3:04.15.

Fiona McGorum successfully retained her senior women's 10km title with a time of 59:23.

20th SPAR European Athletics Championships

Olympic Stadium, Barcelona

Friday 30th July 2010

YOHANN Diniz of France successfully defended his 50-kilometre walk title at the 20th European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

Diniz won the men's event in 3 hours 40 minutes 37 seconds to secure France's third gold in the championships and seventh medal overall setting the European season's fastest time by over nine minutes.

Gregorz Sudol of Germany took silver with a personal best time of 3:42:24, whilst, Russia's Sergey Bakulin won bronze after finishing the street race in 3:43:26.

Olympic champion Alex Schwazer, having won silver in the 20km walk on Tuesday, pulled out toward the end because of a right leg injury. World silver medalist Trond Nymark and two-time world champion Sergey Kirdyapkin also failed to finish.

Full results are available on the following link: www.sportresult.com/sports/la/ajax/eaa2.asp?event_id=10000100000118

20th SPAR European Athletics Championships

Olympic Stadium, Barcelona

Wednesday 28th July 2010

RUSSIA led by Olga Kaniskina completed a powerful podium clean sweep in the women’s 20km race walk as British record-holder Jo Jackson finished tenth at the SPAR European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

Kaniskina, the 25-year-old double world and reigning Olympic champion was a class apart in the early morning sunshine in the Passeig de Picasso area of the Spanish city clocking a time of 1:27.44 for victory improving on her silver medal gained at the 2006 European Championships in Gothenburg.

Compatriot Anisya Kirdyapkina, the current world-leader secured silver over a minute adrift of the winner in 1:28:55 with fellow Russian Vera Sokolova completing the podium places in bronze (1:29:32).

Great Britain’s Jo Jackson crossed the line in a time of 1:33.33 to secure a top-ten place in a major championships for the second time in her career having finished seventh at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Full results are available on the following link: www.sportresult.com/sports/la/ajax/eaa2.asp?event_id=10000100000118

20th SPAR European Athletics Championships

Olympic Stadium, Barcelona

Tuesday 27th July 2010

IRELAND’s Robert Heffernan narrowly missed out on a medal in the 20 kilometre walk on day one of the SPAR European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

Heffernan finished fourth in a time of one hour 21 minutes exactly, just 11 seconds adrift of bronze medallist Joao Vieira, of Portugal.

The 32-year-old from Cork, 15th in the IAAF World Championships in Berlin last year, was near the front of the chasing pack in the early stages but was eventually unable to stay with the pace set by the leading trio.

Russia's Stanislav Emelyanov claimed gold in 1:20.10, with Italy's Alex Schwazer 28 seconds behind in second and Vieira a further 11 seconds back in third.

Full results are available on the following link: www.sportresult.com/sports/la/ajax/eaa2.asp?event_id=10000100000118

Saturday 3rd July 2010

FRESH from her bronze medal success at the Aviva European Trials & UK Championships Fiona McGorum added the Keswick trophy to her burgeoning collection of awards when she won the Keswick Cup as leading Leicestershire Over-15 with a splendid 9mins 39secs clocking over the 2km race. Rachael Woolley (Coventry University) and Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) took the other podium placings.

In the male equivalent, Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar) also smashed the 10 minute barrier with another fine walk. In the Peter Cup race for Under-15 Boys, Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) retained his title.

Emma Achurch (Leysland) won the Flers Trophy (awarded to the leading Under-15 girl) ahead of Sophie Higgins and Laura Achurch (both Blaby Stokes).

The handsome Livingstone House cup for top Leicstershire school team has been competed over for more than fifty years and the Stokes squad equalled the great record set by New Parks School in the early 1960s of five successive wins.

A special "thank you” must go to all the members of Leicester Walking Club for their help in timekeeping and judging in the eight races held this year. Without their support and expertise these events would not have taken place.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Girls
1 Fiona McGorum University of Wales Institute Cardiff 9:39
2 Rachael Woolley University of Coventry 10:27
3 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College 10:36
4 Emma Achurch Leysland High School, Leics 10:55
5 Sophie Higgins Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:24
6 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:36
7 Neve Duguid Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:16
8 Kezia Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:17
9 Chloe Proud Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:26
Boys
1 Maks Orzal Leicester Grammar 9:42
2 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:11
3 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:30
4 Edward Poyser Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:33
5 George Watson Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:34
6 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes 15:00
7 Josh Bramley Blaby Stokes 15:10
8 Max Flanagan Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:26

Saturday 3rd July 2010

THE conclusion of this year’s Hewitt Cup 2km. race walking series turned out to be the most exciting yet in both boy’s and girl’s categories.

In the boys race, Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar) completed a hat trick of wins with Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) just managing to hold off Matthew Kibble (Mount Grace).

However in their league where the individual standings are based on a handicapping system which encourages all competitors to improve, or get close to, their best times over the 3 race series there was a tie for overall top slot. Stokes Striders Benjamin Allen and Josh Bramley finished on 12 points apiece with team-mates Max Flanagan and Jake Smith only 1 and 2 points further back respectively.

In the girl’s event Rachael Woolley (University of Coventry) led home Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) and Emma Achurch (Leysland High School) for the second straight race.

Achurch had a comfortable lead in the girl’s league going into this final race but was nearly caught by Sophie Higgins, Woolley and Isobel Keanan who all improved on their personal bests on the night. This was Emma’s third Hewitt Cup success (she had won in 2006 and 2007) and she was presented with her trophy by sister Laura who was last year’s champion.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Boys League
=1. Benjamin Allen (Blaby Stokes) – 12 points
=1. Josh Bramley (Blaby Stokes) – 12 points
3. Max Flanagan (Blaby Stokes) – 13 points
4. Jake Smith (Blaby Stokes) – 14 points
5. Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar) – 18 points
6, Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) – 20 points
Girls League
1. Emma Achurch (Leysland HS) – 12 points
2. Sophie Higgins (Blaby Stokes) – 13 points
=3. Rachael Woolley (University of Coventry) – 14 points
=3. Isobel Keanan (Blaby Stokes) – 14 points
5. Jasmine Nicholls ( Countesthorpe College) – 15 points
6. Laura Achurch (Blaby Stokes) – 17 points
Boys
1 Maks Orzal Leicester Grammar 10:11
2 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:57
3 Matthew Kibble Mount Grace 14:00
4 Max Flanagan Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:15
5 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:18
6 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes 14:20
7 Josh Bramley Blaby Stokes 14:58
8 Devon Coulson Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:25
Girls
1 Rachael Woolley University of Coventry 10:13
2 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College 10:32
3 Emma Achurch Leysland High School, Leics 10:58
4 Sophie Higgins Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:16
=4 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:16
6 Neve Duguid Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:09
7 Isobel Keanan Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:48
8 Chloe Proud Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:50
9 Charley Coleman Blaby Stokes, Leics 18:33

2010 Aviva European Trials & UK Championships

Alexander Stadium, Birmingham

Sunday 27th June 2010

BRITISH record-holder Jo Jackson a week after breaking her own United Kingdom 20k race-walk record comfortably won the women’s 5,000m title in 21:52.95 finishing ahead of Lisa Kehler (24:21.92) with Leicester’s Fiona McGorum taking the bronze (26:08.99).

Alex Wright secured his first ever men’s UK title clocking 20:11.09 to set a Stadium record winning clear of Tom Bosworth (20:50.01) and Luke Finch (21:29.89).

Saturday 19th June 2010

JOANNE Jackson has lowered her own British race-walking 20km record by finishing in seventh place with a time of 1hr 30mins 41secs at the Gran Premio Cantones de Marcha – the Spanish leg of the 2010 IAAF Race Walking Challenge.

Spain’s Beatriz Pascual won the race in 1:28.05 ahead of Ireland’s reigning World silver medallist Olive Loughnane (1:28.36) and Portugal’s Vera Santos (1:28.56).
Leading Results:
Women 20km
1 Beatriz Pascual (Spain) 1:28:05;

2 Olive Loughnane (Ireland) 1:28:36;

3 Vera Santos (Portugal) 1:28:56;

4 Ines Henriques (Portugal) 1:29:36;

5 Julia Takacs (Spain) 1:30:14;

6 Hong Liu (China) 1:30:26;

7 Johanna Jackson (Great Britain) 1:30:41;

8 Susana Feitor (Portugal) 1:30:41;

9 Jess Rothwell (Australia) 1:30:53;

10 Claire Tallent (Australia) 1:32:02

Sunday 20th June 2020

FIONA McGorum won the Under-23 race-walking title at the Aviva England Championships & World Trials in Bedford as the 21-year-old representing the Leicester Walking Club clocked a time of 54mins 37.61secs to finish ahead of The Netherlands Liesbeth Van-Leeuwen (59:16.61).
Leading Results:
Men Under-23
1. Mark O'Kane - Coventry Godiva - 47:04.42 2. Antonio Cirillo - Swansea Harriers - 48:18.03 3. Rory Barry - Ireland - 51:56.64 4. Liam Baldwin - Tonbridge AC - 53:20.87 5. Osin Oliver - Ireland - 55:41.58 6. Colin Verstegg - Netherlands - 56:42.33 Jonathan Hobbs - Ashford AC - DNF
Women Under-23
1. Fiona McGorum - Leicester Walking Club - 54:37.61 2. Liesbeth Van-Leeuwen - Netherlands - 59:16.61
Women Under-20
1. Emma Doherty - Ireland - 52:15.26 2. Maeve Curley - Ireland - 52:36.05 3. Emma Prendiville - Ireland - 52:51.01 4. Lauren Whelan - Manx Harriers - 52:54.26 5. Rebecca Collins - Medway & Maidstone AC - 1:00.17.15

Saturday 5th June 2010

BEFORE the event started, Rachael Woolley (56 races and counting!) presented Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) with a special trophy to commemorate 50 appearances in 2km. race walks organized by the Leicestershire Primary Schools Athletics Association in conjunction with Leicester Walking Club. Once the race was on, it was Woolley who showed she is coming back to the sort of form she was in several years ago. Emma Achurch (Leysland High School) nearly caught Nicholls on the line in an exciting finish.

Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar) made it 2 wins out of 2 in the current Hewitt Cup series. Joe Smith and Blaby Stokes team-mate, Max Flanagan, took the other podium places.

With one race to go in the series the boy’s league will go down to the wire. A handful of points separate the Top 5 with Benjamin Allen (Blaby Stokes) leading Flanagan by a solitary point and Josh Bramley close behind. The girl’s league has Emma Achurch in a comfortable lead but 5 girls are in contention for the silver and bronze awards.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Girls
1 Rachael Woolley University of Coventry 10:31
2 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College 10:42
3 Emma Achurch Leysland High School, Leics 10:42
4 Kezia Brown
Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:39
5 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:41
6 Sophie Higgins
Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:04
7 Chloe Proud
Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:40
8 Isobel Keanan Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:03
Boys
1 Maks Orzal Leicester Grammar 10:11
2 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 12:22
3 Max Flanagan Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:32
4 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:35
5 Matthew Kibble Mount Grace 13:59
6 Jake Smith
Blaby Stokes 14:51
7 Josh Bramley
Blaby Stokes 15:34
8 Devon Coulson Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:57
9 Edward Poyser Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:58
10 Charlie Merry Jones Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:58
Overall Standings:
Girls League
1 Emma Achurch (Leysland HS) – 5 points
=2 Rachael Woolley (University of Coventry) – 10 points
=2 Jasmine Nicholls ( Countesthorpe College) – 10 points
=4 Laura Achurch (Blaby Stokes) – 11 points
=4 Sophie Higgins (Blaby Stokes) – 11 points
=4 Isobel Keanan (Blaby Stokes) – 11 points
Boys League
1 Benjamin Allen (Blaby Stokes) – 7 points
2 Max Flanagan (Blaby Stokes) – 8 points
3 Josh Bramley (Blaby Stokes) – 9 points
4 Jake Smith (Blaby Stokes) – 11 points
5 Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) – 12 points

Saturday 5th June 2010

MAKS Orzal (Leicester Grammar) won the first race of the 2010 Hewitt Cup series with a fine walk that broke the 10 minute barrier for the 2km. distance. Last year’s champion in this event, Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes), improved on his personal best to take second place and clock the fastest time in the UK for his age-group.

Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) triumphed in the girl’s event but it was a hard fought victory as Emma Achurch (Leysland High School) challenged her throughout the race. Rachael Woolley (University of Coventry) made a welcome return to take the other podium position.

In this competition the individual standings are based on a handicapping system which encourages all competitors to improve, or get close to, their best times over the 3 race series. Half of the walkers bettered their previous best times.

Benjamin Allen’s (Blaby Stokes) performance was just enough to give him an early lead over team-mates Jake Smith and Max Flanagan in the boys league standings. In the girl’s table, debutant Emma Walker from the Blaby Stokes Striders stable leads ahead of sisters Emma and Laura Achurch.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Girls
1 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College 10:34
2 Emma Achurch Leysland High School, Leics 10:40
3 Rachael Woolley University of Coventry 10:56
4 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:06
5 Emma Walker Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:09
6 Kezia Brown
Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:07
7 Isobel Keanan Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:10
8 Neve Duguid Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:56
9 Sophie Higgins
Blaby Stokes, Leics 18:32
Boys
1 Maks Orzal Leicester Grammar 9:59
2 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 12:20
3 Edward Poyser Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:52
=4 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:57
=4 Max Flanagan Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:57
6 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes 14:03
7 Josh Bramley Blaby Stokes 18:30
Overall Standings:
Girls League
1 Emma Walker (Blaby Stokes
2 Emma Achurch (Leysland HS)
3 Laura Achurch (Blaby Stokes)
Boys League
1 Benjamin Allen (Blaby Stokes)
2 Jake Smith (Blaby Stokes)
3 Max Flanagan (Blaby Stokes)

Saturday 22nd May 2010

LEICESTERSHIRE race-walkers collected a total of four individual titles at the 2010 Midlands Track Championships staged at the Tamworth Stadium (16th May).

Fiona McGorum claimed the senior women's title as the 21-year-old UWIC student in the colours of Leicester crossed the line in a time of 26mins 59secs. Team-mate Sarah Lightman was seventh in 33:18.

The senior men's 5,000m title went to Thomas Taylor, who competes for Birchfield Harriers. Taylor profited after county team-mate Luke Finch was forced to retire with shin soreness as he led the race.

Taylor's winning time was 46min 15sec with Leicester’s Chris Berwick narrowly missing out on a medal as he finished fourth in 57:58.

Team mates Paul Hayden was fifth in 63:28 and Colin Vesty was sixth in 63:33.

In the junior events Jasmine Nicholls (16:45) and Emma Achurch (16:49) triumphed at the 3,000m distance at Under-17 and Under-15 level respectively.

IAAF World Race Walking Cup

Chihuahua, Mexico

15th-16th May – Senior Women’s 20km

AGE proved no barrier to Maria Vasco when the 34-year-old Spaniard defied the early evening heat and a dogged opponent to break the tape in the women's IAAF World Walking Cup 20km.

Only the great Yelena Nikolayeva had more years on her birth certificate when she won the 2004 edition - but the Russian did so in much kinder conditions.

Vasco knows all about medals - she has a trio of bronzes from the Olympics, IAAF World Championships and World Cup - but all good things come to those that wait, and Vasco produced a negative second-half split to make good her prediction of a winning time between 1:31:00 and 1:32:00.

But to make her first visit to the top of the podium, the native from Barcelona had to come back from a final 2km sprint that had everyone around the course predicting a jump from third in 2008 to first for Vera Santos.

The Portuguese led from the start and gave it everything, only to run out of gas over the last 500 yards when Vasco used all her experience to hang on to her lead.

Santos looked as if she was just itching to show the rest a proverbial clean pair of heels when she glanced left and right just a few seconds into the race.

Had it been a cycle race, the first 25 would all have been given the same time as they completed the first 2km lap in a dawdling 9:36.

The next time around daylight began to appear, although it was closer to blinding even though well past 6pm.

Santos was joined by two Russians, two Spaniards that included Vasco, and Portuguese team-mate Ines Henriques.

However, shortly after 5km (23:29) with Santos and Anisya Kirdyapkina walking together, Russian hopes were dented when Tatiana Sibileva, third on the year’s fastest times, was disqualified.

The gaps were even bigger by lap four with the race already down to three after former double junior champion Vera Sokolova joined Vasco and Santos at the front.

Henriques was desperately trying to stay in touch, but despite leading the 2010 rankings, Kirdyapkina was already falling off the back.

There was little change for the next two trips around the u-shaped course, but at the 13km mark it was unlucky for Sokolova when Santos and Vasco moved up half a gear to put a vital 10 yards between themselves and the Russian.

By 16km, Sokolova had been caught by the speeding Henriques, whose face betrayed the strain although her legs were working as well as anyone’s in the race.

Maybe it was osmosis or something, because Santos, 200 metres down the road, also picked up the pace to put five yards on Vasco at the same time as her Portuguese team-mate was cementing third.

But the Spaniard refused to be dropped and was practically treading on Santos’s heels by the bell.

Behind, it was lone walking for Henriques, Sokolova and Kirdyapkina in that order, with a trio of Chinese Yanfei Li, Mayumi Kawasaki from Japan and Ana Cabecinha making up the top eight.

The third Portuguese proved to be vital as it allowed her country to get its first team gold medal with Spain second, and China third.

Johanna Jackson (Middlesbrough & Cleveland) finished down in 46th place clocking 1:47:12.

Great Britain's Jo Jackson set off conservatively holding around 30th place and passed 5km in 24.30 (29th). Soon after this Jo began to experience severe stomach cramps which necessitated in her stopping for the toilet twice and hampered her efforts causing her to drop to 37th place at 10km (50.53). While many athletes around her called it a day, she battled gamely to the finish to take 46th place (1.47.12).

Afterwards Jackson said “I am bitterly disappointed with that as I knew I was in shape to get in the top 15”.

Report by the IAAF.

Full results are available on the following link: www.iaaf.org/wrw10/results/eventCode=4145/index.html

IAAF World Race Walking Cup

Chihuahua, Mexico

15th-16th May – Senior Men’s 20km

China posts the kind of times that are a constant of any year’s top 10. So it’s always been something of a mystery they’ve only had two men’s IAAF World Race Walking Cup win - until now that is.

When Hao Wang cut the binds that tied him to team-mate Yafei Zhu over the last kilometre of the race, there was even time for the man with a 1:18:13 PB to be the first of the weekend to give a victory wave some distance before the finishing line.

As a result China picked up their first men’s golds since 1995 when they were at home in Beijing - and better still - got a silver to go with it and a team victory on top.

But the race for third was the most dramatic of the five races in this 24th edition of walking’s showcase.

After the Chinese dropped Colombia’s Luis Fernando Lopez, Erik Tysse and Andrey Krivov - the three burned up the last 200 yards with the Russian Krivov falling over the line just a second ahead of the Norwegian, with Lopez unable to respond in the final sprint for bronze.

By the finish there was a string of walkers scattered around the course with nine or ten a lap behind caught up in the stampede for third place.

But such was the width of the road, the journey from the centre at the turn to the drinks table was close to five metres across, and then because the course narrowed at the end of each lap straight after, the zig-zag effect and scramble for sponges must have added an unwelcome 50m to the race.

And in this heat, where every unnecessary second spent in the sun was one too many, it says much for the fortitude of the 20km walkers they were able to go through the first 2km in 8:24 and then speed up.

Former Olympic champion Ivano Brugnetti was heading the charge, although the other 24 walkers leaning on his shoulder contained all the favourites including 40-year-old Bernardo Segura - an IAAF World Cup winner as far back as 1999.

The second lap from the lead group was marginally quicker in 8:20, described as ‘conservative’ by the on-course commentator - but still hitting the 5km mark in 20:50. Chinese Jianbo Li was a vest ahead of Tysse, with Eder Sanchez - favourite in all senses of the word as far as Mexico were concerned, right behind the first two.

But gradually the leaders wound up the pace to pass half-way in 41:28, with Lopez hoping to make it a double celebration for Colombia after they won the men’s junior 10km on Saturday night.

That was too much for long-time leader Brugnetti, who slid off the back, although the real surprise was Sanchez suffering to the extent that 2km later he was 30 seconds off the pace.

For once, the Russians were not expected to do much in these conditions, but at 14km Krivov took a turn at the front.

The man with a 1:19:06 PB was actually the slowest of his countrymen as far as 2010 times were concerned - but was clearly in good shape by the time the leaders were down to five at 15km (62.05).

Lopez was hanging on despite picking up two DQ cards, Tysse was shadowing Krivov - and for the first time, the might of China showed in the form of Zhu and Wang.

Over the eighth lap the lead swapped three times with Lopez, Zhu and Wang all trying to get a foot on the podium, and the constant duelling took its toll by the time they took the bell.

Zhu and Wang took off like they had just sat on the sun, never mind toiled under it for 74 minutes.

Their effort was well rewarded, although there was something in it for the hosts – Mexico got a team bronze behind Russia’s silver.

Report by the IAAF.

Full results are available on the following link: www.iaaf.org/wrw10/results/eventCode=4145/index.html

Saturday 1st May 2010

BRITISH race walker Jo Jackson made history at the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Sesto San Giovanni on the outskirts of Milan, when she became the first ever British athlete to make the podium in an IAAF Challenge event.

Jackson clocked a seasons best with a time of 1:32.03 to finish third behind Portugal’s Vera Santos and Germany’s Melanie Seeger. Jackson passed the halfway mark in 45.42 despite picking up her second disqualification card at 7km which meant she had to hold back for the rest of the race.

Speaking after the race Jackson said: “This is a major breakthrough for me to make the podium in an IAAF Challenge event. I am disappointed with the time as I had to hold back after receiving my second red card at 7km, I know there is a lot more in the tank”.

Jackson will now look forward to competing for Great Britain at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Mexico in two-weeks time.

Wednesday 29th April 2010

JOHANNA JACKSON is the first athlete to have gained selection for England's 2010 Commonwealth Games team.

Jackson has been selected following her victory in the UK and RWA National 20K Championships at Victoria Park, London, on 11th April. Her winning time of 1hr 39min 14sec was within the guideline time of 1hr 42min a time she also bettered when recording 1hr 32min 37sec at the Gran Premio Citta di Lugano held in Lugano, Switzerland, during March. As a result of her performance Jackson was recommended for selection by England Athletics and this was ratified by Commonwealth Games England.

Jackson said: "I'm really excited to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games. Four years ago it was a big learning experience for me but this time round I will be looking for a medal, hopefully gold. I've never been out to India, however, I realise racing conditions could be difficult, but they will be the same for everyone and with the right preparations I hope to have a successful Games."

Thursday 15th April 2010

UKA have announced Jo Jackson has been selected to represent the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the IAAF Race Walking World Cup to be held in Chihuahua, Mexico on the 15th-16th May 2010.

National record holder Jackson was selected for the 20k distance following her international standard performance of 92:37 in Lugano, Switzerland in March 2010 and a convincing win at the World trials and UK Championships held in Victoria Park, London on Sunday 11th April.

Despite being ill during the race, Jackson stormed to victory in the capital city in 99:14 with over six minutes to spare over Niobe Menedez (Steyning) in second in 105:45 and Fiona McGorum (Leicester) in 113:06.

Sunday 11th April 2010

EMMA Achurch produced a sparkling performance to win the Under-15 girl’s title at the National Race Walking Championships in London’s Victoria Park (11th April).

The Leicester athlete clocked a time of 16mins 30secs to secure gold ahead of Alexandra Ross (Manx) second 17:31 with Danielle Oates (Manx) in third 17:43.

The womens 20km race was won by Beijing Olympian Johanna Jackson (Middlesbrough & Cleveland) in a time of 99:14 six minutes ahead of Niobe Menedez (Steyning) in second in 105:45 with Fiona McGorum (Leicester) 113:06 claiming bronze.

The U17 Boys 5km race was won by Nathan Duncan (Cleethorpes) in 26:27 coming home well over two minutes clear of Maks Orzel (Leicester) 29:03 with James Green (Manx) in third 29:33.

The U17 Girls race saw Kelsey Howard (Ashford) take the victory in a time faster than the boys race with 25:51 from Heather Lewis (Permbroke) 27:05 and Jasmine Nicholls (Leicester) 29:05.

Tuesday 24th March 2010

WITH 84 walkers from 47 schools competing in the race walking series, this innovative league format continues to be a great success.

Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) maintained her unbeaten season’s record ahead of Leysland High School’s Emma Achurch. A great personal best performance by Sarah Sheasby (High Storrs, Sheffield) guaranteed her the girl’s league ahead of last year’s champion, Rebecca Chambers (Meadowhead, Sheffield). Neve Duguid, another talent from the Blaby Stokes Striders stable pipped Amy Sanders (Croft Junior) for the third place overall.

Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar) clocked an excellent 10 minutes dead for his 2km. race. With another fine walk Daniel Watling (Perton Middle School, Staffs), ensured that the boy’s overall title came his way. Former Champion, Dan Chaib, had to be content with second place overall just two points ahead of Edward Poyser (Blaby Stokes).

Blaby Stokes Striders retained the Chris Smith league team champions trophy but were chased hard throughout the series by High Storrs, Sheffield.

Report by George Smolinski.

Full Results:
Boys
1 Maks Orzal Leicester Grammar 10:00
2 Daniel Watling Perton Middle School, Staffs 10:21
3 Daniel Waples Guilsborough, Northants 11:30
4 Dan Chaib High Storrs, Sheffield 11:52
5 Matthew Redfern William Allitt, Swadlincote 12:51
6 Joe Bowskill Loddington CE School, Kettering 14:03
7 Bradley West Loddington CE School, Kettering 14:19
8 Edward Poyser Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:33
9 Matt Archer Milby Primary School, Nuneaton 14:50
10 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:19
11 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:24
12 Charlie Arnold Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone 15:31
13 Max Flanagan Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:48
14 Thomas Butler Stokingford Jnr, Nuneaton 15:52
15 Joe O’Toole Danesholme Junior, Northants 16:13
16 Peter Bilson SHEAF 16:52
17 James Constant Milby Primary School, Nuneaton 17:14
18 Charlie Hay Chetwynd Junior, Nuneaton 19:38
19 Fabian Frear Sketchley Hill Primary 19:44
Boys League:
1 Daniel Watling 171
2 Dan Chaib 143
3 Edward Poyser 141
4 Matthew Redfern 132
5 Jake Smith 123
6 Shaun Cohen 119
7 Benjamin Allen 112
8 Daniel Waples 106
9 Max Flanagan 101
10 Thomas Butler 99
11 Joe Smith 95
12 Matt Archer 85
Girls
1 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College Leics 10:33
2 Emma Achurch Leysland HS, Leics 10:55
3 Rebecca Chambers Meadowhead, Sheffield 12:15
4 Sarah Sheasby High Storrs, Sheffield 12:21
5 Toni Webley Kingstanding, Birmingham 13:22
6 Kara Sanders Hartshill, Nuneaton 13:23
7 Isobel Reid St Paul’s Catholic School, Edgbaston 13:49
8 Kezia Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:28
9 Jessica Mills Grace Academy,
Chelmsley Wood 14:33
10 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:38
10 Amy Sanders Croft Junior 14:38
12 Chloe Merton NDS Birmingham 15:22
13 Georgina Hollinshead Hurley Primary, Atherstone 15:30
14 Rhiannon Cole St Edwards, Kettering 15:49
15 Macey Davis Windmill Primary, Wellingborough 15:50
16 Neve Duguid Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:51
17 Paige Douglas Northampton School for Girls 16:09
18 Rebecca Hughes Isham Primary, Kettering 16:23
19 Sophie Moss Isham Primary, Kettering 16:24
20 Hannah Winstone Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering 16:33
21 Freya Marlow Park Junior School, Kettering 16:34
22 Emily Manson Broughton Primary School, Kettering 16:48
23 Scarlet Robinson Barton Seagrave Primary, Kettering 16:52
24 Liberty Vinci St Peter’s, Kettering 17:51
25 Martha Wallace Blaby Stokes, Leics 20:27
26 Charley Coleman Blaby Stokes, Leics 21:05
Girls League:
1 Sarah Sheasby 164
2 Rebecca Chambers 149
3 Neve Duguid 143
4 Amy Sanders 141
5 Isobel Reid 135
6 Chloe Merton 129
7 Kezia Brown 126
8 Jessica Mills 125
9 Emma Achurch 123
10 Kara Sanders 114
11 Jasmine Nicholls 113
12 Georgina Hollinshead 111
Final Team Standings:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics 332
2 High Storrs, Sheffield 307
3 Blaby Stokes “B” 271
4 Blaby Stokes “C” 223
5 Meadowhead, Sheffield 171
6 Perton Middle School, Staffs 171
7 Loddington CE Primary, Kettering 160
8 Blaby Stokes “D” 142
9 Croft Junior 141
10 St Paul’s Catholic School, Edgbaston 135
11 William Allitt, Swadlincote 132
12 Isham Primary “A”, Kettering 130
13 NDS Birmingham 129
14 Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood 124
15 Leysland High School, Leics 123
16 Handsworth Grange, Sheffield 119
17 Hartshill High, Nuneaton 114
18 Countesthorpe College Leics 113
19 Hurley Primary, Atherstone 111
20 Guilsborough, Northants 106
21 Stockingford Junior, Nuneaton 99
22 Milby Primary School, Nuneaton 92
23 Barton Seagrave Primary, Kettering 82
24 Windmill Primary School 82
25 Hereford School, Grimsby 78
26 Danesholme Junior, Northants 73
27 St Edwards, Kettering 73
28 St Wilfreds, Sheffield 72
29 Leicester Grammar 66
30 Sheffield University 50
31 Blaby Stokes “E” 48
32 Mawsley Primary, Kettering 46
33 Isham Primary “B”, Kettering 45
34 Etone College, Nuneaton 43
35 Kingstanding, Birmingham 43
36 Park Junior School, Kettering 41
37 Mount Grace, Leics 35
38 Isham Primary “C”, Kettering 31
39 Brixworth Primary “A”, Northampton 31
40 King John Middle School “A”, Northants 26
41 Chetwynd School, Nuneaton 25
42 SHEAF 20
43 Broughton School 20
44 Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone 17
45 Isham Primary “D”, Kettering 17
46 Wellingborough School, Northants 13
47 King John Middle School “B” 12
48 Rushton Primary, Northants 11
49 Hall Meadow, Kettering 10
50 St Peters, Kettering 10
51 Spreyton Hall 9
52 The Latimer Arts College, Kettering 7
53 Brooke Weston, nr Corby 6
54 Sketchley Hill 6
55 Northampton School for Girls 3
56 Kettering Science College 3
57 Brixworth Primary “B”, Northampton 3
58 Brambleside Community Primary, Kettering 2

Sunday 14th March 2010

LEICESTER’s Fiona McGorum set a superb new personal best over 20km to claim 23rd place at the EAA Permit Racewalks Meeting in Luguno.

British number one Johanna Jackson (Middlesbrough & Cleveland/Leeds Met Carnegie) continued her fine start to 2010 by taking fourth place in 1hr 32mins 36secs to go top of the UK Rankings as UWIC student Fiona McGorum (Leicester Walking Club) set a new personal best of 1:53.45 to secure 23rd place in the race won by China’s Yanfei Li (1:31.26) with compatriot Li Li second (1:31.32).

Full results are available on the following link: www.lugano-racewalking.com/risultati_ufficiali.asp?lan=ing