Wednesday 10th March 2010

EMMA Achurch claimed a superb age-group gold medal success for Leicestershire & Rutland at the 2010 Inter-Counties/Molly Barnett Championships as Beijing Olympian Johanna Jackson smashed her own British 10km record at Warwick University on Saturday (March 6th).

Achurch from the Leicester Walking Club won the Under-15 Girl’s 3km race crossing the line in a time of 16mins 52secs, breaking the 17 minute barrier for the first time in her blossoming career.

British number one Johanna Jackson (Middlesbrough & Cleveland Harriers) sliced one-minute off her own United Kingdom record to win the senior women’s 10km race as the 25-year-old recorded a lifetime best of a 43:52 improving her previous mark from 2008, as she warmed-up for her 20km title defence at the European Race Walking Grand Prix in Lugano, Italy, next weekend.

Jasmine Nicholls representing Leicestershire finished fifth in the Under-17 5km race in a time of 28:12.

In the senior men's 10k race won by Brendan Boyce (Warwickshire) with a time of 41:50, the Leicestershire team were led by Thomas Taylor with a top-ten finish in 7th place (45:20), followed by Chris Berwick (23rd in 57:39), Colin Vesty (29th in 61:07) and Paul Hayden (33rd in 64:00).

In the women's 5k race, Sarah Lightman finished in 32:24 and Sue Rey was 12th in 35:58.

Full results are available on the following link: www.racewalkuk.com/Results.aspwww.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Wednesday 10th February 2010

FIONA McGorum secured the Midlands territorial 5km race-walking title at Warwick University on Saturday (6th February).

The 21-year-old University of Wales in Cardiff student, a AAA bronze medallist over the distance on the track in 2006, here representing Leicester smashed her personal best for the distance clocking a time of 26mins 1sec moving to the top of the UK rankings for this year.

McGorum’s fine performance combined with team mates Sarah Lightman (8th) and Sue Rey (14th) gave the Leicester team third place.

In the men’s 10km race Leicester-based Thomas Taylor representing Birchfield Harriers claimed the 10km title as the 29-year-old came home in a time of 46mins 43 with Chris Berwick (Leicester) fourth in 57:22 and Colin Vesty (Leicester) seventh (61:02).

Wednesday 10th February 2010

A quarter of the 36 finishers in the third round of the Chris Smith race walking league improved on their personal bests.

Leicester Young Sportswoman of the Year runner-up, Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) maintained her unbeaten record in this year’s series but was chased hard by Emma Achurch (Leysland H.S.). Toni Webley (Kingstanding, Birmingham) took over half a minute from her previous best time to finish third.

The girls league is proving to be a close competition and will only be resolved after the final race. Sarah Sheasby (High Storrs, Sheffield) clawed her way back to the top of the standings but holds a narrow 3 point advantage over Isobel Reid (St Pauls, Erdington) with Amy Sanders (Croft Junior) only 2 points further back.

Daniel Watling (Perton Middle School, Staffs) repeated his success from the last race. Daniel Waples (Guilsborough, Northants) took a significant chunk off his best time to finish second ahead of Sheffield duo Shaun Cohen and Dan Chaib. Watling remains top of his league but Cohen has made inroads into his lead. Edward Poyser (Blaby Stokes), with the top handicap score in this race, leapt into third place overall.

Current Chris Smith league team champions, Blaby Stokes Striders, maintained their lead in the team category ahead of High Storrs, Sheffield.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Boys
1 Daniel Watling Perton Middle School, Staffs 11:15
2 Daniel Waples Guilsborough, Northants 11:30
3 Shaun Cohen Handsworth Grange, Sheffield 11:49
4 Dan Chaib High Storrs, Sheffield 12:10
5 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 12:59
6 Matthew Redfern William Allitt, Swadlincote 13:07
7 Edward Poyser Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:20
8 Matthew Kibble Mount Grace, Leics 14:35
9 Thomas Butler Stockingford Jnr, Nuneaton 15:53
10 Declan Harbour Brixworth Primary, Northampton 16:17
11 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:27
12 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:30
13 Joseph Hardy Rushton Primary, Northants 16:41
14 Peter Bilson SHEAF 16:50
15 Callum Harris Brixworth Primary, Northampton 17:45
Boys League
1 Daniel Watling 129
2 Shaun Cohen 119
3 Edward Poyser 113
4 Dan Chaib 103
5 Joe Smith 95
6 Matthew Redfern 94
7 Jake Smith 91
8 Max Flanagan 90
9 Thomas Butler 81
10 Benjamin Allen 78
11 Matt Archer 76
12 Daniel Waples 72
Girls
1 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College Leics 11:03
2 Emma Achurch Leysland HS, Leics 11:26
3 Toni Webley Kingstanding, Birmingham 12:09
4 Rebecca Chambers Meadowhead, Sheffield 12:20
5 Sarah Sheasby High Storrs, Sheffield 12:45
6 Isobel Reid St Paul’s Catholic School, Edgbaston 13:26
7 Kara Sanders Hartshill, Nuneaton 13:56
8 Jessica Mills Grace Academy,
Chelmsley Wood 14:19
9 Kezia Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:22
10 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:34
11 Amy Sanders Croft Junior 14:40
12 Georgina Hollinshead Hurley Primary, Atherstone 15:02
13 Chloe Merton NDS Birmingham 15:16
14 Sophie Naylor Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:50
15 Rosie Parsons Etone College, Nuneaton 16:14
16 Amelia Furniss Brixworth Primary, Northampton 16:37
17 Rhiannon Cole St Edwards, Kettering 16:48
18 Neve Duguid Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:03
19 Rebecca Hughes Isham Primary, Kettering 17:15
20 Sophie Hammerschmidt Wellingborough School 17:39
21 Charley Coleman Blaby Stokes, Leics 19:15
Girls League
1 Sarah Sheasby 123
2 Isobel Reid 120
3 Amy Sanders 118
4 Rebecca Chambers 114
5 Jessica Mills 101
=6 Neve Duguid 100
=6 Chloe Merton 100
=8 Georgina Hollinshead 98
=8 Kezia Brown 98
10 Emma Achurch 92
11 Laura Achurch 88
12 Jasmine Nicholls 83
Team Standings (after 3 races)
School Points Total
Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics 255
High Storrs, Sheffield 226
Blaby Stokes “B” 211
Blaby Stokes “C” 176
Meadowhead, Sheffield 136
Perton Middle School, Staffs 129
Blaby Stokes “D” 127
St Paul’s Catholic School, Edgbaston 120
Handsworth Grange, Sheffield 119
Croft Junior 118
Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood 101
NDS Birmingham 100
Hurley Primary, Atherstone 98
William Allitt, Swadlincote 94
Leysland High School, Leics 92
Isham Primary “A”, Kettering 89
Countesthorpe College Leics 83
Stockingford Junior, Nuneaton 81
Hereford School, Grimsby 78
Hartshill High, Nuneaton 78
Milby Primary School, Nuneaton 76
St Wilfreds, Sheffield 72
Guilsborough, Northants 72
Loddington CE Primary, Kettering 71
Barton Seagrave Primary, Kettering 60
Sheffield University 50
Mawsley Primary, Kettering 46
Blaby Stokes “E” 46
Isham Primary “B”, Kettering 45
Windmill Primary School 44
Etone College, Nuneaton 43
Danesholme Junior, Northants 40
Leicester Grammar 38
Mount Grace, Leics 35
St Edwards, Kettering 34
Isham Primary “C”, Kettering 31
Brixworth Primary “A”, Northampton 31
Kingstanding, Birmingham 31
King John Middle School “A”, Northants 26
Park Junior School, Kettering 25
Chetwynd School, Nuneaton 20
SHEAF 19
Isham Primary “D”, Kettering 17
Wellingborough School, Northants 13
King John Middle School “B” 12
Rushton Primary, Northants 11
Spreyton Hall 9
The Latimer Arts College, Kettering 7
Brooke Weston, nr Corby 6
Broughton School 6
Kettering Science College 3
Brixworth Primary “B”, Northampton 3
Brambleside Community Primary, Kettering 2
Hall Meadow, Kettering 2

Thursday 28th January 2010

THE Carnegie Research Institute at the Leeds Metropolitan University in Great Britain is carrying out unique biomechanical research into Race Walking.

The study includes analysis of high-speed video, force plate data, and internal activity of the leg muscles. Crucial variables in walking are measured, to help athletes understand their strengths and weaknesses when competing.

Researchers have analysed some of the world's best race walkers in European Athletics and IAAF competitions, including the 2007 and 2009 European Cup Race Walking in Royal Leamington Spa, England, and Metz, France, and 2008 IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia.

They are now inviting elite walkers to be part of this project to help improve racing performances and develop understanding of race walking technique.

Travel funding is available for senior athletes with European, world or Olympic qualifying times and junior athletes who show potential progress in international competition.

The Carnegie Research Institute has recently become the home of UK Athletics' National Centre for Race Walking.

Interested athletes and those who want to know more about the study are encouraged to contact:
Brian Hanley,
Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics,
Tel.: +44 113 8123577
Email:

b.hanley@leedsmet.ac.uk

a.drake@leedsmet.ac.uk

i.richards@leedsmet.ac.uk

More details about the UK National Race Walking Centre can be found at http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/carnegie/sport/Racewalking_Flyer.pdf

Friday 9th October 2009

BEIJING Olympian Jo Jackson has broken the British Best Performance and UK All Comers record in the one mile walk at the Leeds Varsity Match on Wednesday 7th October by recording a time of 6mins 56.2secs eclipsing the previous best performance of 7:08.9 set by Catherine Charnock back in 2000.

Jackson representing Leeds Met Carnegie - where she has recently begun studying for a degree in Sports Performance and trains at the UKA National Race Walking Centre - in the annual match against Leeds University.

Commenting on the performance Jackson said: ‘It is great to break the British Record on my new home track’.

To listen to a post-race interview with Jo Jackson click on the following link: www.leedsmet.ac.uk/the_news/audio/09/varsity/jo_jackson_interview_md.mp3

Saturday 31st October 2009

50 walkers took part in the first 2km race of this popular postal series as Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar) stamped his class on the boys field with a super 9mins 47secs time ahead of Hereford School (Grimsby) team-mates, Nathan Duncan and Ben Wooliss.

English Schools U15 Champion Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) and National U13 Champion Emma Achurch (Leysland H.S.) maintained the great form they have shown throughout the summer with a 1-2 for Leicestershire Schools ahead of Becky Chambers (Meadowhead, Sheffield) who is trying to win her third successive Chris Smith individual title.

In this competition the individual and team standings are based on a handicapping system, which encourages all competitors to improve or get close to their best performances over the 4 race series. At this early stage the top five in the boys league are covered by a handful of points with Max Flanagan (Blaby Stokes) leading Daniel Watling (Perton, Staffs), Matt Archer (Milby, Nuneaton), Shaun Cohen (Handsworth Grange, Sheffield) and Thomas Butler (Stockingford Junior, Nuneaton).

In the girls league Amy Sanders (Croft Junior), Kezia Brown (Blaby Stokes), Isobel Reid (St Pauls, Erdington) and Sarah Sheasby (High Storrs, Sheffield) are covered by just three points.

Blaby Stokes Striders, the current Chris Smith league team champions, have made a positive start in their bid to retain their team title.
Full Results:
Boys
1 Maks Orzal Leicester Grammar 9:47
2 Nathan Duncan Hereford School, Grimsby 10:36
3 Ben Wooliss Hereford School, Grimsby 10:44
4 Shaun Cohen Handsworth Grange, Sheffield 11:51
5 Daniel Watling Perton Middle School, Staffs 12:11
6 Dan Chaib High Storrs, Sheffield 12:21
7 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 12:42
8 Matthew Redfern William Allitt, Swadlincote 13:01
9 Matt Archer Milby Primary School, Nuneaton 13:20
10 Daniel Waples Guilsborough, Northants 13:57
11 Max Flanagan Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:31
12 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:19
13 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:23
14 Thomas Butler Stockingford Junior, Nuneaton 15:25
15 Peter Bilson SHEAF 15:48
16 Edward Poyser Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:34
17 Josh Wakerley King John Middle School, Northants 18:10
=17 William Croxford King John Middle School, Northants 18:10
19 Miles Houghton Barton Seagrave Primary, Kettering 18:17
20 Matthew Allen The Latimer Arts College, Kettering 19:03
21 Matthew Wakerley King John Middle School, Northants 19:12
=21 Joe O’Toole Danesholme Junior, Northants 19:12
23 Vikram Dard Wellingborough School, Northants 20:33
24 Luke Pillay Barton Seagrave Primary, Kettering 22:37
Boys League
1 Max Flanagan 50
2 Daniel Watling 49
3 Matt Archer 48
4 Shaun Cohen 47
5 Thomas Butler 46
6 Ben Woolis 43
=7 Jake Smith 42
=7 Joe Smith 42
9 Maks Orzal 38
10 Benjamin Allen 36
Girls
1 Jasmine Nicholls Countesthorpe College Leics 10:23
2 Emma Achurch Leysland HS, Leics 11:04
3 Rebecca Chambers Meadowhead, Sheffield 12:33
4 Sarah Sheasby High Storrs, Sheffield 13:17
5 Kara Sanders Hartshill, Nuneaton 13:35
6 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:13
=6 Kezia Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:13
8 Isobel Reid St Paul’s Catholic School, Edgbaston 14:30
9 Georgina Hollinshead Hurley Primary, Atherstone 14:47
=9 Amy Sanders Croft Junior 14:47
11 Katie MacKinder Meadowhead, Sheffield 14:51
12 Jessica Mills Grace Academy,
Chelmsley Wood 15:28
13 Niamh McKevitt St Wilfreds, Sheffield 15:35
14 Chloe Merton NDS Birmingham 16:09
15 Neve Duguid Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:58
16 Rosie Parsons Etone College, Nuneaton 17:29
17 Freya Marlow Park Junior School, Kettering 18:59
18 Amelia Furniss Brixworth Primary, Northampton 19:48
19 Sophie Moss Isham Primary, Kettering 19:50
20 Sim Bhandal Brooke Weston, nr Corby 19:53
21 Rebecca Hughes Isham Primary, Kettering 19:55
22 Martha Wallace Blaby Stokes, Leics 20:05
22 Charley Coleman Blaby Stokes, Leics 20:05
24 Isla Johnson Wellingborough School, Northants 20:37
25 Kiran Somal Kettering Science College 21:20
26 Dal Bhandal Brambleside Community Primary, Kettering 25:27
Girls League
1 Amy Sanders 45
2 Kezia Brown 44
=3 Isobel Reid 42
=3 Sarah Sheasby 42
5 Rebecca Chambers 37
6 Laura Achurch 34
=7 Georgina Hollinshead 32
=7 Jasmine Nicholls 32
9 Emma Achurch 30
10 Neve Duguid 29
Team Standings:
Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics 94
Blaby Stokes “B” 84
Hereford School, Grimsby 78
High Storrs, Sheffield 70
Blaby Stokes “C” 70
Meadowhead, Sheffield 59
Blaby Stokes “D” 52
Perton Middle School, Staffs 49
Milby Primary School, Nuneaton 48
Handsworth Grange, Sheffield 47
Stockingford Junior, Nuneaton 46
Croft Junior 45
St Paul’s Catholic School, Edgbaston 42
Leicester Grammar 38
Blaby Stokes “E” 34
William Allitt, Swadlincote 33
Countesthorpe College Leics 32
Hurley Primary, Atherstone 32
Leysland High School, Leics 30
Hartshill High, Nuneaton 27
St Wilfreds, Sheffield 26
King John Middle School “A”, Northants 26
Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood 25
NDS Birmingham 24
Guilsborough, Northants 21
Barton Seagrave Primary, Kettering 21
Etone College, Nuneaton 20
Park Junior School, Kettering 18
Isham Primary, Kettering 17
SHEAF 15
Danesholme Junior, Northants 14
King John Middle School “B” 12
Brixworth Primary, Northampton 10
Wellingborough School, Northants 9
The Latimer Arts College, Kettering 7
Brooke Weston, nr Corby 6
Kettering Science College 3
Brambleside Community Primary, Kettering 1

Friday 11th September 2009

BEIJING Olympian Jo Jackson was the stand-out athlete in action at the 2009 Jim Sharlott Memorial Open Races as the British record-holder and Ireland’s Brendon Boyce claimed the men’s and women’s individual titles with quality race victories at Leicester’s Abbey Park on Saturday (5th September).

Jackson returned to race action following a disappointing performance in Berlin at the recent 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships where the 24-year-old was disqualified in the 20k final and failed to finish - this following a stellar 2009 season that has seen the Redcar athlete set two British 5,000m walk records, including an early season world-leading mark of 20:46.58 in Sydney, Australia, back in February.

Over the 10km Abbey Park course Jackson completed a gun-to-tape victory to secure the UK Athletics and Race-Walking Association titles in a time of 46mins 23secs to finish ahead of Wimbledon's Estle Viljoen (54:11) and Tonbridge's Diane Bradley (54:58).

UWIC student Fiona McGorum representing the host club Leicester finished fourth in 55:25 with team mate Sarah Lightman 13th (67:15) and Sue Rey 16th (71:48) they claimed second place in the team standings behind winners Tonbridge.

In the men’s race Coventry Godiva Harrier Brendon Boyce claimed an equally impressive victory crossing the line in a time of 44:40 as the 22-year-old Irish international, the reigning CAU 3,000m champion, finishing ahead of Ilford's Scott Taylor (45:34) and Birchfield Harrier Thomas Taylor (46:33).

Surrey Walking Club won the team title by a margin of four points with Leicester three points adrift with the team of Chris Berwick finishing 13th (56:51), Mark Wall 14th (57:22), Colin Vesty 23rd (62:51) and Hardeep Minhas 27th (64:59).

The talented Leicester junior team produced a good solid performance as Emma Achurch comfortably won the Under-13 girls race in 11:13, whilst, Jasmin Nicholls (16:27) finishing runner-up in the Under-15 girls race, three seconds adrift of the winner, Ashford's Kate Funnell.

Full results are available on the following link: www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Tuesday 25th August 2009

THE fixtures for the 2009/10 Chris Smith Schools Race 2km Walking League have been announced.
The dates are as follows:
13th October 2009
17th November 2009
26th January 2010
2nd March 2010

The races take place at Leicester’s Saffron Lane Sports Stadium
With a 6.30pm start time.

12th IAAF World Athletics Championships – Berlin 2009

Olympic Stadium, Berlin

Thursday 21st August 2009 - Day 7

SERGEY KIRDYAPKIN claimed the 50km Race Walk title to give Russia a clean sweep of the walk gold medal at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, with Norway's Trond Nymark taking silver and Spain's Jesus Angel Garcia bronze.

Kirdyapkin repeated his victory of four years ago in Helsinki with an imperious performance to finish in 3:38.35, 27 seconds slower than his PB earned at the 2005 worlds.

The Russian had failed to complete the race at both the Osaka worlds two years ago and in Beijing at the Olympics, but this time he did it in style, winning by 2 minutes, 41 seconds to follow compatriots Valeriy Borchin and Olga Kaniskina, who won the men's and women's 20km walks.

The weather did the Russian a favour, with a heavy downpour in the morning giving a welcome respite to the balmy temperatures of the last few days.

Nymark claimed silver in a national record of 3:41.16, with Garcia finishing in 3:41.37. The 39-year-old Garcia, who won World Championships gold in 1993 and was second in Edmonton in 2001, immediately after the race targeted the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona in 2010 before perhaps having a go at the next worlds in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011.

European champion Yohan Diniz had a disappointing race and finished in 12th in 3:49.03.

Full results on the following link: http://berlin.iaaf.org/results/racedate=08-15-2009/bydate.html

12th IAAF World Athletics Championships – Berlin 2009

Berlin

Sunday 16th August 2009

OLYMPIC and world champion Olga Kaniskina was in a class of her own when she raced to the 20km walk gold medal at the World Championships in Berlin.

The 24-year-old Russian surged ahead after only 6km, staging a sparkling one-woman show, with a time of 1:28.10, that left the competition challenging for the other podium places. Ireland's Olive Loughnane held on for silver a distant 49 seconds later, just ahead of China's Liu Hong.

Kaniskina's win means Russian women have won the last five 20km walk golds at the World Championships. On a hot and humid day, the walkers started at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, racing down a tree-lined loop along the Unter den Linden boulevard.

Kaniskina upped the pace after 5km, moving top of the pack that was briefly led by Germany's Sabine Krantz who was later disqualified. Joined by fellow Russian Anisya Kirdyapkina and Olympic silver medallist Kjersti Plaetzer, the trio soon broke away, looking to divide the three medals among themselves.

But Kaniskina was in no mood to hang around and moved away to remain unchallenged for the rest of the race. With tens of thousands of fans cheering her on in downtown Berlin, the Russian finished at the Brandenburg Gate, a big smile of relief on her face.

Full results on the following link: http://berlin.iaaf.org/results/racedate=08-15-2009/bydate.html

12th IAAF World Athletics Championships – Berlin 2009

Berlin

Saturday 15th August 2009

OLYMPIC champion Valeriy Borchin of Russia won the men's 20km walk in the opening event of the 12th World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

The 23-year-old, who won his first major title in Beijing in a commanding fashion, lived up to expectations by taking control after 16 kilometres to take victory in one hour 18 minutes and 41 seconds.

Borchin said: "I have got a lot of experience with races like this one. This was just one in a row. I was trying to prevent the other athletes to go far away from me.

"The most important thing was not to leave the group. This year was very difficult, I did so many 20km races and this one was just following others. So I am very glad that I finished so successfully."

China's Wang Hao, who missed a medal in the Beijing Olympics by just five seconds, took the silver in a personal best time of 1:19.06.

Wang, who turns 20 on Sunday, has been in good shape this year, winning the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Rio Maior with a then personal best of 1:19:27. Mexico's Eder Sanchez finished third in a season best of 1:19:22.

Sanchez, who came close to World Championships success twice as he was 8th in 2005 and 4th in 2007, Mexico's last medal was gained in Edmonton 2001 and it was also bronze.

Full results on the following link: http://berlin.iaaf.org/results/racedate=08-15-2009/bydate.html

Wednesday 12th August 2009

MAKS Orzel and Jasmine Nicholls claimed fine silver medals at the England Athletics U17 & U15 Championships on the track of Bedford’s International Stadium last weekend (8th-9th August).

Orzel clocked a time of 27mins 31secs to take second place over 5,000m in the U15 category as Jonathan Hobbs (Ashford) secured gold in 25:24.

Clubmate at Leicester Jasmine Nicholls also lost out on gold to an Ashford athlete as multi-talented Kate Funnell, the reigning Kent county champion in both the walks and pole vault, claimed the title following a tight finish where she edged ahead of Nicholls to cross the line in a time of 16:03 to 16:16 in the 3,000m event. The Isle of Man’s Sinead Kaneen completed the podium trio taking bronze in 18:08.06.

Full results are available on the following link: www.athletics-uk.net/england/results/index2.htm

Friday 24th July 2009

MAKS Orzel made an impressive debut for Team England at the Aviva SIAB Track & Field international in Antrim, Northern Ireland on Saturday 18th July.

The 15-year-old from the Leicester Walking Club finished fourth over the 3,000m in the four-nation event that included teams from Scotland, all-Ireland and Wales clocking a fine lifetime best of 15mins 26.18secs surpassing his previous mark by over 30 seconds. Ireland’s James Treanor led a 1-2 over the line for the host nation claiming victory in 14:00.61 ahead of Oisin Oliver (14:07.54).

Mark Wall representing Leicester competed over the very challenging 100-mile distance at the 2009 Captain Barclay Bicentenary Walks - Centurions/Long Distance Championships held at Rowley Mile Racecourse in Newmarket, Suffolk (July 11th-12th).

Wall completed the distance in less than 24 hours, with a finishing time of 21 hours 8 minutes 39 seconds to secure third place overall in the race won by Surrey’s Richard Brown in 20:12.44. Wall’s team-mate Andy Trigg was 22nd in a time of 23:21.41.

Sarah Lightman (Leicester) also competed at Newmarket in her first attempt over the 50k distance finishing in 37th place in 6:48.38.

Full results are available on the following link: www.racewalkuk.com/ResultsDay.asp?d=11&m=July&y=2009

Thursday 9th July 2009

IN their final race before they travelled over to Dublin to represent Team England in development races at their respective age categories, Leysland students, Jasmine Nicholls (Leysland) and Emma Achurch showed they were in good form. In the final round of the Hewitt Cup series held over 2km at Leicester's Humberstone Park - Jasmine stopped the clock in a personal best 10mins 28secs while Emma was a handful of seconds outside her own p.b. for the distance.

However it is Emma’s very promising sister Laura (Blaby Stokes) who topped the girls’ league ahead of Nicholls with Fiona Brown (Blaby Stokes) in third.

The boys league was another close ”walked” affair. Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) won his second consecutive Hewitt Cup race and his consistent high standard of walking meant that he ended his debut year with the Hewitt Cup. Although Jack Callister was pipped by Stokes team-mates Toby Howgill on the night he finished runner up in the boys league.
Girls League
1 Laura Achurch (Blaby Stokes) – 7 points
2 Jasmine Nicholls (Leysland) – 10 points
3 Fiona Brown (Blaby Stokes) – 14 points
=4 Emma Achurch (Leysland) – 15 points
=4 Samantha Vesty (Humphrey Perkins) – 15 points
Boys League
1. Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) – 6 points
2. Jack Callister (Blaby Stokes) – 7 points
Girls
Name School Time
1 Jasmine Nicholls Leysland HS 10:28
2 Emma Achurch Leysland HS 11:09
3 Zana Wellicome Ridgeway, Leics 13:34
4 Fiona Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:57
5 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:30
6 Samantha Vesty Humphrey Perkins 15:35
7 Eve Thompson Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:10
8 Ellie Birch Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:03
9 Ellie Morgan Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:10
Boys
Name School Time
1 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:20
2 Toby Howgill Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:20
3 Jack Callister Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:21
4 Edward Viney Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:50
Peter / Flers / Livingstone Cups

In the Peter Cup race for Under 15 Boys, Joe Smith from Blaby Stokes added a second trophy in two-weeks to his collection. It is believed he is the youngest winner of this award in its 55-year history.

Joe also led home his Stokes squad to victory in the boy’s team race. The handsome Livingstone House cup has also been competed over for more than fifty years and Stokes school became only the second boys’ team in its long, distinguished history to win it for the fourth successive year.

Jasmine Nicholls (Leysland) held on to Flers Cup (awarded to the leading Under 15 girl) for a record fourth year ahead of team-mate Emma Achurch and Fiona Brown (Blaby Stokes).

Judges’ style awards were presented to Emma Achurch (for the tenth time since these awards were initiated in 2006), Zana Wellicome, Toby Howgill and Benjamin Allen.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported our young athletes in another excellent season.

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 take place.
Girls
1 Jasmine Nicholls Leysland HS 10:40
2 Emma Achurch Leysland HS 11:17
3 Zana Wellicome Ridgeway, Leics 13:32
4 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:43
5 Fiona Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:18
Boys
1 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:31
2 Toby Howgill Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:32
3 Jack Callister Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:53
4 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:17
5 Edward Viney Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:32
6 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:42

Report by George Smolinski - L.P.S.A.A. Sports Development Officer.

Wednesday 1st July 2009

EMMA ACHURCH representing England claimed a fine victory at the Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking event at Phoenix Park on Sunday 28th June as athletes from 20 countries took part in very warm conditions.

Achurch from the Leicester Walking Club claimed victory in the girls Under-14 2km category race clocking a new lifetime best of 10mins 52secs ahead of Sweden’s Lena Tomas (11:00) and Danielle Oates of the Isle of Man (11:02).

In the Boys Under-16 race England’s Maks Orzel (Leicester) finished second in 16.04 to Ireland’s Evan Lynch (14:49), whilst team mate Jasmine Nicholls (England) also finished third in the girls event in 16:04 as Ireland’s Kate Weale won in 13:49.

Full results are available on the following link: www.athleticsireland.ie/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/dub-gp-09-results.pdf

Sunday 24th May 2009

THERE was a day of shock results at the 2009 European Cup Race Walking in scorching temperatures in Metz, France, on Sunday 24th May that resulted in a clean sweep for the Italians in the Men's 20km.

Here’s out the action unfolded in Metz.
20km Men:

There is nothing like a personal best to boost an athlete's confidence - and Gorgio Rubinho is not about to argue. A month after the 23-year-old Italian sailed under 1:20:00 for the first time he played a waiting game in the heat of Metz, and then set the course on fire to win by a proverbial street to bring joy to new coach, the legendary Sandro Damilano. One of the Roman's previous best marks was set at the European Cup two years ago in Leamington.

But this was no day for re-writing record books, the kind of heat hated by fair-headed endurance athletes was always going to have a major say on the streets of Metz. But along with Rubinho and the familiar face of former Olympic champion Ivano Brugnetti in second, the third man on the podium came out of an Italian blue.

Jean-Jacques Nkouloukidi has been one of the journeymen of Italian walking for the last four years - but the 27-year-old came of age here. The walker born of a mixture of Congolese and Italian parents was never in contention for a medal until the last 2k lap from 10, and then sped past a tiring Robert Heffernan to steal the bronze medal.

It was the second time in a row the Irishman has suffered the fate after a final charge from others in 2007 also cost him dearly. But what Yohann Diniz was attempting when he set off at 77:50 pace in searing heat, only the Frenchman will know.

If it was to impress his countryman, the glory lasted a mere 26 minutes before a group of three that had been 23 seconds back on the first lap caught up with the 2006 European champion.

Heffernan, Brugnetti and Pyotr Trofimov from Russia shot through 8km in 32:18, with Diniz labouring but still some way ahead of Rubinho in fourth.

But a further 3km along the blistering road and the Italian reversed the position with some ease - and then as if to show Diniz what even pacing was all about, sped past the leading three just after the 13km mark.

While Rubinho opened up the gap with ease, the following trio tracked each other barely out of step all the way to 16k. And Trofimov was surely keeping an eye on the DQ board to notice his fellow travellers were living dangerously with only one life left each.

The Russian made a break for home and was quickly checked by Brugnetti, and in turn Heffernan reacted to move into third place. Nkouloukidi had other ideas and a one-sided team victory was equally secure. Rubinho said: "I have a completely new team of physio, psychologist, osteopath - and of course a new coach, the legendary Sandro Damilano."

Great Britain’s Luke Finch finished in 25th place in 1:36.30.
20km Women:

Mario Vasco was always the bridesmaid and never the bride - until now that is. The tiny Spaniard's visits to the podium have seen her collect three major bronzes including a fine third the 2000 Olympics - but never gold.

But, amazingly, after a decade of top 10 finishes the Barcelona-born athlete finally made it in Metz. Her time here was five minutes slower than her best set in Beijing's Olympiad last year - but there again so was just about everyone else's. Following a coolish, cloudy morning the sun showed no mercy to the women toeing the line at 1.30pm. The mercury was touching 33 degrees when the gun went and it didn't take long before there were casualties.

A group of 19 headed by Portugal's Susana Feitor cruised through 2k in just over 1:30:00 pace - but only a lap later the pack were split into two by a few seconds, with one of the favourites, Germany's Sabine Krantz, coming off the back.

A circuit later, Feitor was already going through a terrible time and starting to lag behind both groups. Up front, four Russians, two Portuguese, two Romanians, Vasco and assorted others kicked on. Krantz called it a day straight after. But Vasco dug in to head the field through halfway at 45:15 - seven seconds ahead of a line of six now strung out.

But from there, Vasco used all her 33-year-old know-how to hold steady - and although she slowed again, a string of sub 1:30:00 walkers behind were going even slower. Portugal were on their way to team gold when disaster struck at 16k. The chief judge showed the red disc to Vera Santos lying second and Ines Henriques in third.

It would have left Romania's Ana Maria Groza in silver medal position. But a DQ board as slow as some of the over-heated walkers removed her from the podium as well - and this after she had joyously crossed the line.

Anisa Kirdyapkina benefited to claim silver for Russia - and a real outsider, Kristina Saltanovic, was able to brandish Lithuania's first major walking medal at the age of 34 at an emotional victory ceremony. If anyone now figures Vasco wants more sweltering days in championship races - think again. She said: "The heat was terrible - but in that position - you just have to keep going."

Great Britain’s Olympic representative Jo Jackson finished in 27th place with a time of 1:45.05.
50km Men:

There might have been shocks in the two junior races when both Russian favourites were beaten - but the moment Denis Nizhegorodov took the lead at 30k there was only going to be one winner.

The world record holder was more than eight minutes outside the scintillating mark he set in Cheboksary last year in the World Walking Cup - but his face looked no different from 20k right to the end when he crossed the line totally in charge. There wasn't even a commiserating glance to the left as team-mate Sergey Bakulin started his last lap.

There was a thought that after Bakulin beat Nizhegorodov at the Russian Winter Championships in February over 35k, the two might have been closer at the finish of this race.

In fact, the one challenge came from the gutsy effort of Oleksiy Kazanin, who was dipping his toe into unchartered waters when he took on the Russian quartet and passed them just before halfway.

The Ukrainian's best of 3:50:30 suggested he was either in great form or had a rush of blood to the head when he moved into the lead. But his move prompted Nizhegorodov to break ranks, and when he caught Kazanin at exactly the start of the 16th lap, the Russian opened up a seven-second gap in less than a 100m on his way to an untroubled gold.

Meanwhile, the devastation he left behind had former world champion Sergey Kirdyapkin leaning on a barrier in despair a lap later, and likewise Yuriy Andronov was beginning to show the strain. But as those who chased Nizhegorodov slowed, a wise old head was making his way through the field - again.

Jesus Angel Garcia will be 40 in October but it hardly shows more than a minute back at 20k, the 1993 world champion and the World Walking Cup gold medallist as far back as 1997, steadily passed the sufferers to record a time two minutes down on his fourth at the Olympics in Beijing - but two places better.

He said: "At nearly 40 - it's getting tougher, but I will continue to walk for as long as possible, I went faster at the Olympics - but I'm a lot happier with today's position."

Andronov limped across the line for bronze, and the team gold was sealed when Bakulin made fourth spot together with the knowledge that an extra 15k can demote you from contender to casualty very quickly.
Junior Men 10km

Any thought Russian team-work would hold sway was blown part by 6k of the race as Stanislav Yemelyanov was clearly feeling good because he took an incredible 25 seconds out of the second Russian, and even Valeriy Filipchuk in second wasn't hanging around for Denis Strelkov.

The latter had form from last year's World Walking Cup where he got a bronze - but he was considerably more distant in this one than back home in Cheboksary.

Blasting through 8k in 32:18, a glance at the DQ board told the leader he was treading on thin ice. Two DQ red discs were opposite Yemelyanov's number on the "naughty board" as it's known in English-speaking circles, and he sensibly reined in a charge for the line.

He could afford to - his lead had grown yet again, and by the finish he had the luxury of sauntering the last few steps Filipchuk looked far happier to claim the silver medal, and the surprise bronze was greeted with a victorious punch in the air.

It's been a while since Finland had anything to cheer in walking circles. Sarah Essayah won the women's European championship 10k in 1994, their last gold at the sport, when Veli-Matti Partanen wasn't able to toddle very far. But the 17-year-old posted an impressive 41:52 back in September, and he sensibly allowed the Russian trio to get away at the start.

For all that, they were never out of his sight, and by 6k when the Russians went for it, Partanen sensed Strelkov was in trouble. The Finn moved ahead a few seconds later and as his confidence grew, his final time was a mere three seconds outside his best.

He said: "I wasn't interested in time - I just listened to my body and made it an even race, I didn't enjoy the conditions, because it was close and humid - but I felt good and the course suited me. Places fourth to seventh were only 25 seconds apart, but thereafter the procession to the line betrayed the early effort from the young field.

Team GB’s Mark O’Kane finished 24th in 46:04, Tom Bosworth was 39th in 52:01, however, Ben Wears was disqualified.
Junior Women's 10km

The gap at the end between first and second was the biggest in the history of the European Cup Race Walking.

Over eight editions there has never been more than two minutes before the silver medallist appeared - but there again, those holding down first and second at 6k have never been removed one after the other in the space of 20 seconds.

World Walking Cup winner Tatyana Kalmykova, and the favourite for this race, was trying to close the gap on leader Tatyana Mineeva, but came to a skidding halt when presented with the red disc.

Almost immediately, their Russian team-mate Kseniya Trifonova suffered the same fate, and the one remaining red vest was told in no uncertain terms by her coaches to make sure she finished at all costs. But even at that stage Mineeva had two minutes on the instantly promoted Adriana Turnea.

The Romanian could hardly believe her luck when supporters and officials told her she was now second, and likewise newcomer Antonella Palmisano had to be informed she held down the last individual medal for Italy. After that, it was a procession to the line for everybody, with Greek Panayiota Tsinopoulou another two minutes back for fourth.

However, the French pair of Laurene Delon and Emilie Menuet were being cheered all around the 2k loop for their solid fifth and sixth. But it got even better when they cemented a team silver behind Italy, with Romania third.
Leading Results:
Men
50km

1 NIZHEGORODOV Denis RUS 03:42:47
2 GARCIA Jesus Angel ESP 03:46:27 
3 ANDRONOV Yuriy RUS 03:49:09 
4 BAKULIN Sergey RUS 03:52:38 
5 ODRIOZOLA Mikel ESP 03:53:13 
6 CAMBIL Jose Alejandro ESP 03:53:31 
7 SKARNULIS Donatas LTU 03:53:43 
8 DE LUCA Marco ITA 03:54:35 DQ KING Dominic GBR DQ KING Dan GBR
20km

1 RUBINO Giorgio ITA 1:24:06
2 BRUGNETTI Ivano ITA 1:24:54 
3 NKOULOUKIDI Jean-Jacques ITA 1:25:07 
4 HEFFERNAN Robert IRL 1:25:21 
5 TROFIMOV Pyotr RUS 1:25:50 
6 MOLINA Juan Manuel ESP 1:25:58 
7 AUGUSTYN Rafal POL 1:26:06
8 DINIZ Yohann FRA 1:26:59 25 FINCH Luke GBR 1:36:30

Women
20km

1 VASCO Maria ESP 1:32:53
2 KIRDYAPKINA Anisya RUS 1:33:28 
3 SALTANOVIC Kristina LTU 1:34:17 
4 LOUGHNANE Olive IRL 1:34:51 
5 YEMELYANOVA Larisa RUS 1:35:16 
6 PASCUAL Beatriz ESP 1:35:28 
7 SHUMKINA Elena RUS 1:35:51 
8 YURCHANKA Sniazhana BLR 1:36:14 27 JACKSON Jo GBR 1:45:05

Report by the EAA.

www.metz2009.fr/

Thursday 21st May 2009

THE 8th European Cup Race Walking takes place in the French city of Metz on Sunday 24th May where Beijing Olympian Johanna Jackson will spearhead Great Britain's challenge.

Jackson, who came 22nd in the 20km Olympic final in Beijing - setting a new British record in the process, has been in superb form of late as the 23-year-old twice broke the national 5000m record over the winter, while training in Australia at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre.

On returning to British soil, Jackson has continued her fine form and set a new 20km personal best and British record of 1:31.16 hours at the Gran Premio Citta di Lugano in Switzerland.
Event Previews:
Men's 20km

Cue the loudest cheer of the day when Yohann Diniz is announced to the crowd before the start of the 20k in Metz.
Actually, that might be the second-loudest if the native from Reims can repeat the heroics that saw him first over the line in Leamington two years ago.

Back then, Diniz also set his PB of 1:18:58 around the English spa town's course. The perfect tonic for France and the Frenchman would be a defence of his title after a disappointing DNF in the Olympic 50k last year.

Diniz has been little seen since he climbed over a Beijing barrier and disappeared into the crowd. And the man who chased him all the way in Leamington is also likely to give him a hard time up and down the loop besides Metz's railway station.

Ivano Brugnetti posted his PB at Leamington too, and the former world champion and Olympic gold medallist knows when to turn on the style.

However, he also posts his fair share of roadside drop-outs, and the 32-year-old didn't get past 6k at the Sesto San Giovanni Challenge on home turf at the beginning of the month.

If neither is in top shape, there's always a Russian who will be.

The giant in world racewalking hasn't sent its front-line attack to France, but the slowest of the four in has a PB only seven seconds outside 1:20:00.

As that's Andrey Ruzavin, who was third in the 35k at Adler in the Russian Winter Championships in February, you can bet he too will form part of a throng of red vests at the front.

Germany's Andre Hohne will be there or thereabouts after showing early season form, while presumably hoping to peak for the World Championships in Berlin later this year.

Right behind, and forming the backbone of the top 10 will be Spain's Juan Manuel Molina alongside Ireland's Rob Heffernan, who came agonisingly close to a medal in Leamington after a last lap sprint separated third to sixth place by just six seconds.
Men's 50km

The World record holder would have to be favourite for any event - and that most certainly applies to Denis Nizhegorodov at the European Cup of Race Walking in Metz.

The Russian, who smashed the existing 50k mark on home turf in the World Walking Cup just over a year ago to record a blistering 3:34:14, hasn't competed at the distance since he won bronze in the Olympics last August.

But he has posted a fast 2:24:56 for 35k at the Russian Winter Championships in Adler in February.

The races at the resort on the Black Sea have traditionally been denied the official thumbs-up on times posted - but anyone churning out kilometres at just over four minutes each is in good nick no matter what the circumstances.

However, the man who headed Nizhegorodov at Adler is also going to be toeing the line in north-east France as well.

Sergey Bakulin beat his team-mate by 31 seconds at the Russian seaside, and if the 20k specialist can wade in with the concentration needed for the longer distance, he will offer a challenge right up to the last 10k when he who wants it most decides matters.

Russia should coast to a team victory, although Sergey Kirdyapkin has been having a relatively lean spell of it since he won the 2005 World Championships.

Reduced to snail's pace in the penultimate World Cup and a DNF in Beijing, the 27-year-old has recovered to be up among the best in Adler while finishing fifth.

If Russia are a shoo-in for team gold, the other medals are anything but.

Spain has got a strong unit out headed by the indefatigable Jesus Angel-Garcia, who was a mere stripling when he won the World Championships in 1993.

Now heading towards his 40th birthday in October, Garcia has showed little of the wear-and-tear of 17 years of mixing it with the best.

Italy will want a say in team matters, and although the French PBs are some way behind the sharp end of the field, the home-grown quartet headed by Eddie Riva will hope to give their countrymen something to cheer about.
Women's 20km

The women's 20km might be the other race with a wide-open finish. While the men's event at the distance offers a French-Italian pair as favourites with Russians in tow, the ladies could see six or seven slugging it out in the latter stages, with Portugal as close they'll ever get to team gold.

Susana Feitor was often the sole Portuguese carrying the country's flag in previous major events. But now the former World Championship medallist has three others around her to share the burden.

Vera Santos has made strides to get in among the best - and was easily under 90:00 at the San Sesto Giovanni at the beginning of May.

Ines Henriques is also near her best, and Ana Cabecinha was the surprise showing at the Olympics in Beijing.
However, a new name might herald a new stage for Sabine Krantz.

The former Sabine Zimmer has always been top 10 material, but with the best Russians absent and her old nemesis Kjersti Platzer also giving Metz a miss, this is the ideal moment for the German to get a medal to celebrate her recent marriage.

Ireland's Olive Loughnane's 1:27:45 PB set in Beijing will see her up with the leaders, but inevitably Mother Russia will expect her walkers to deliver something in France.

Former junior champions Vera Soklova and Yelena Shumkina have graduated to the senior ranks and got the nod for this trip after following Olympic champion Olga Kaniskina home in Adler in February.

Anisya Kirdyapkina will be able to cheer husband Sergey on in the 50k before her afternoon start, and the one junior left of the three red vests improved on her PB to record a superfast 1:25:26 in Adler.

Claudia Stef from Romania is also high-placing material, and even at 33, Spain's Maria Vasco is a force to be reckoned with.

Intriguingly, there are no entries from the traditionally walking stronghold of Italy, so a team bronze after Russia and Portugal scrap for the top two could be just about anybody's.
Junior Women 10km

Aa a contest the junior women's 10k will last around 10 seconds - or about as long as it takes the Russian trio to disentangle themselves from the charge at the gun.

World Walking Cup winner from last year, Tatyana Kalmykova is here - although this time the 19-year-old has two others for company.

Tatyana Mineyeva and Kseniya Trifonova are making their debuts in the competition - but the Russian Winter Championships in Adler in February saw both head Kalmykova with all three dipping under 43:00.

The nearest PB to all three is more than three minutes behind - or to put it another way: the rest will be able to get a good luck at the Russians as they come back on the other side of the course in Metz, with no bets on a fair few getting lapped around the 2k loop.

The Romanian pair of Alexandra Gradinariu and Adriana Turnea are next best on paper, with the knowledge that both have set their PBs in the last two months.

Poland's Anna Mielcarek is something of a veteran at junior level, having set her best in Leamington at the last European Cup and has cosistently gone under 50:00 since then.

And experience is something of a bonus when novices at age 17 or under get sucked into a frantic first-lap stampede only to end up crawling home when the gas runs out in the latter stages.
Junior Men's 10km

What happened to Russian junior walkers at their Winter Championships in February determined their team for Metz.

Needless to say, the top three in Adler for the 10k is the same trio expecting to medal in Metz.

Denis Strelkov was beaten into second on the Black Sea coast, but he's the one with history having taken bronze in the World Walking Cup last year.

His 39:16 PB set a few months before that suggests he would have to stop for a coffee at a pavement bistro on Sunday to finish off the podium.

Newcomer Stanislav Yemelyanov won in Adler only a second slower than Strelkov's PB. But he will be under the scrutiny of an array of European judges for the first time, so anything approaching his superfast clocking will include careful inspection before he gets to the finish line.

Right behind should come an almighty throng if current standings are anything to go by.

There are 19 on the entry list of 44 who have times under 44:00, with Briton Ben Wears currently the man in form.

The 18-year-old from Yorkshire took a massive slice out of his PB to record 41:57 in Coventry at the beginning of April.
Britain won 15 Olympic medals in the 20th century - but have captured no major honour since Roger Mills gained a belated bronze in the European Championships 35 years ago.

All things being equal, Wears could be up there if the judges get to work on removing others who don't conform to rules.

Another first-timer, Vito Di Bari, also brings recent pedigree into the race, while 18-year-old Velli-Matti Partanen hopes his 41:52 from last September allows him to further the tradition that saw Finland gain walking golds in the 1980s and 90s.

Event previews by the EAA.

www.metz2009.fr

Hewitt Cup 2009 - Round 2

Humberstone Park, Leicester

Tuesday 19th May 2009

FRESH from their triumphs at their respective age-groups in the Midland track championships, Leysland students, Jasmine Nicholls (Leysland) and Emma Achurch clocked excellent times in the second round of the Hewitt Cup series held over 2km. at Humberstone Park .

However it is Emma’s sister Laura (Blaby Stokes) who leads the girls’ league with Samantha Vesty (Humphrey Perkins) and Kezia Brown (Blaby Stokes) tied in second.

The hugely promising Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) took another big chunk off his personal best to win his first ever race. Jack Callister beat Stokes team-mates Alfie Martin and Joseph Little in the battle for the other boy’s podium placings.

The final race of the boy’s competition also promises a close finish with Joe and Jack locked on equal points at the top of their league with Joseph just one point off the pace.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Girls
1 Jasmine Nicholls Leysland HS 10:41
2 Emma Achurch Leysland HS 11:13
3 Fiona Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:29
4 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:21
5 Samantha Vesty Humphrey Perkins 15:00
6 Kezia Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:25
7 Laura Jo Bazylinski Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:30
8 Eve Thompson Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:52
9 Nikita Bazylinski Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:02
Boys
1 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:12
2 Jack Callister Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:46
3 Alfie Martin Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:07
3 Joseph Little Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:07
5 Edward Viney Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:50

Friday 15th May 2009

THE Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Athletics Team's race walkers received a boost ahead of the European Cup Race Walking event in Metz by spending a weekend at the new UKA National Race Walk Centre.

The Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Athletics Team's race walkers received a boost ahead of the European Cup Race Walking event in Metz by spending a weekend at the new UKA National Race Walk Centre.

The team of seven race walkers used the facilities and expertise on hand to fine-tune preparations ahead of the gathering of Europe's finest on Sunday 24th May in France. Among those present at the centre was Johanna Jackson, who has set three British Records already this season as she looks to build on her 21st place in the Beijing Olympics over 20km.

Newly appointed Carnegie Director of Race Walking Dr. Andi Drake led the recent weekend's activities and will also be the Team Leader and Head of Delegation in Metz.

Dr. Ian Richards, a Lecturer in the Carnegie Faculty, will also accompany the team in Metz in the capacity of Team Manager. Ian was Championship Director of the last edition of European Cup Race Walking, which was staged in Royal Leamington Spa in 2007. This event was supported by a number of Carnegie staff and students, with the university being a national partner in the event.

Also joining the team in France will be Carnegie Biomechanists Brian Hanley and Dr. Nassos Bissos, who have worked alongside the squad since 2006. They will be conducting a major study of the junior races in Metz and this follows up the two most comprehensive biomenchanical studies of major race walking events at the 2007 European Cup Race Walking and the 2008 IAAF World Cup of Race Walking in Cheboskary, Russia.

Hanley and Dr. Bissos have recently co-authored with Dr. Drake two articles which, along with Dr. Drake's work on the physiology of race walking, form the substantive part of the IAAF's latest edition of their journal "New Studies in Athletics," which has a special focus on race walking.

The team had at hand during the weekend the expertise of a number of Carnegie staff, including Carnegie Director of Athletics Mick Hill and physiotherapist Sarah McDowell from the Carnegie Centre for Sports Performance and Well Being. The preparation camp also enabled a number of students to gain valuable experience in working with a high performance squad ahead of a major championship.

Looking forward to the forthcoming event in Metz, Dr. Drake said, "This is the strongest team Great Britain has sent to the European Cup since 2000 and Carnegie has played a major role in the athletes preparation."

Saturday 9th May 2009

THREE Leicester race walkers have been selected to represent the RWA team following strong performances in last weekend's National age-group championships at London's Victoria Park.

Maks Orzel, Emma Achurch and Jasmine Nicholls will now compete against Ireland in the Dublin Grand Prix on June 27th. Orzel secured his call-up following an impressive second-placed finish in the Under-17 5km race.

He clocked 26mins 15secs, just one second outside his personal best. The race was won by defending champion Jonathan Hobbs in a time of 25:49. Leicester's Chris Vesty was third in 28.48 to ensure the team prize.

Achurch eased to victory in the Under-13 2km, winning by a margin of 31 seconds from Birchfield's Toni Webley in a time of 11:02, Samantha Vesty was 9th in 15.32.

In the Under-15 3km event, Nicholls sliced more than 20 seconds off her lifetiem best to finish 10 seconds behind Ashford's Kate Funnell. They were together for the first lap before Funnell won in 16:12 with Nicholls clocking 16:22.

There were also men's open races at Victoria Park, with Mark Wall 5th in the 5km in 25:51 and Chris Vesty 9th in 29:53.

Sue Rey was 5th in the women's race in 34:39 before teaming up with Wall and Vesty in the 3km veterans event. Wall was first in 15:21 and Vesty 9th in 18:18 and Rey was 6th in 20:04 in her race.

Full results are available on the following link: www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp