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

Tuesday 28th April 2009

GOOD conditions meant that half of the competitors in the first race of the 2009 Hewitt Cup race Walking Series got inside their best times.

Racing over a 2km course at Humberstone Park, Jasmine Nicholls (Countesthorpe College) won her first race in this event. Leysland High School team-mate Emma Achurch was runner up while Fiona Brown (Blaby Stokes) returned after injury to take third place.

With his tenth successive Hewitt Cup victory Christopher Vesty (Rawlins College) was a clear winner in the corresponding boy’s event. The promising Blaby Stokes duo of Joe Smith and Jack Callister battled it out for second place with Smith just holding off Callister in the final few strides of the race.

In this competition the individual standings are based on a handicapping system which encourages all competitors to improve their best times over the 3 race series. At this early stage in this long standing Leicester Walking Club race walking competition both boys’ and girls’ tables are headed by Stokes Striders –Kezia Brown and Jack Callister.

Report by George Smolinski.

Leading Results:
Boys
1-Christopher Vesty-Rawlins School-10:25
2-Joe Smith-Blaby Stokes, Leics-13:31
3-Jack Callister-Blaby Stokes, Leics-13:33
4-Joseph Little-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:45
5-Benjamin Allen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:09
6-Joseph Percy-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:10
Girls
1-Jasmine Nicholls-Leysland HS-10:48
2-Emma Achurch-Leysland HS-11:30
3-Fiona Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:00
4-Zana Wellicome-Ridgeway, Leics-14:17
5-Laura Achurch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:47
6-Kezia Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:14
7-Samantha Vesty-Humphrey Perkins-15:16
8-Laura Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:12
8-Nikita Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:12

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

UK Athletics have announced that they have set-up a new National Race Walk Centre in the city of Leeds under the leadership of Andi Drake

Drake has been appointed as the Carnegie director of race walking at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Drake - who officially took up the post this month – is a UK Athletics level 4 performance coach in race walking and a UK Athletics level 3 performance coach in marathon and distance running.

He has a wealth of academic and practical experience of the discipline, including holding a related PhD on elite performance race walking, acting as personal coach to athletes who have competed at Olympic, world and Commonwealth level and 18 years competing for Britain, including at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

The role will encompass a number objectives, including providing coaching support to race walkers on the UK Athletics world-class performance programme, providing coach mentoring to designated coaches in agreement with England Athletics and UK Athletics and to manage and organise a future training programme for nominated race walking athletes.

Drake said: “I am delighted to be taking up this position and appreciate the foresight of Leeds Metropolitan University and UK Athletics in giving race walking a permanent centre in the UK.

"We have some very exciting talent coming though in race walking in the UK, both in terms of athletes and coaches.

“We have a strong foundation in place and I look forward to developing race walking in the lead up to 2012 and building a legacy to last beyond the London Olympic Games.”

Malcolm Brown, the director of sport at Leeds Metropolitan University said: “We are delighted to welcome UK Athletics and Andi Drake to the University.

"Our commitment to coaching is significant and Andi is a fine coach with an international reputation.

"He joins Mick Hill, our director of athletics, in building upon the Carnegie heritage in the global sport of track and field.

“Andi will be responsible for developing the sport further within the University and nationally in partnership with UK Athletics and we are grateful to the governing body in showing confidence in us.

“As the home of the UK Centre for Coaching Excellence we see this as a development of our critical mass of talented coaches on campus.

"Andi's academic credentials in sports science will strengthen our expertise in the understanding of endurance events and our research profile."

Press Release from UK Athetics www.uka.org.uk

Friday 17th April 2009

BEIJING Olympian Johanna Jackson will spearhead Great Britain's assault on the European Race Walking Cup in Metz next month.

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 and will lead a seven-strong party to France on May 24.

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.

That performance was just one second shy of the A qualifying standard for August's World Championships in Berlin.

Joining Jackson will be twins Daniel and Dominic King, who will go in the 50km, while Luke Finch will compete in the 20km.

And there are also call ups for Tom Bosworth, Mark O'Kane and Ben Wears in the junior 10km event.

www.metz2009.fr/2nd_language/index.html

Saturday 12th April 2009

LUKE FINCH representing Colchester Harriers stormed to his first national senior title in the UKA/RWA 20km Championships this weekend staged at Shrewsbury Sports Village.

Held on a 1km cycle circuit, each lap consisted of a 250 metre climb, which athletes had endured on twenty occasions. Despite this Finch took 7 seconds off his previous best of 1.28.38 set last month in Lugano, Switzerland in clocking 1.28.31.

Finch set the early pace with Junior Ben Wears (Redcar RWC) stepping up in distance in close proximity. He went through 5km in 21.45, with Wears passing the same mark in 22.00, but the youngster was soon withdrawn by the judges.

Finch passed the halfway point in 43.30. The tough course began to take its toll in the second half as he passed 15km in 65.45 but hung on well over the last 5km to record a new personal best of 1.28.31. This puts him at the head of the Power of 10 rankings for 2009 and moved him up to 27th on the UK All Time list.

Finch backed up his performance over 10km of 41.51 in the previous week’s McCain UKA Race Walking Challenge opener in Coventry. Carl Thompson (Sarnia) took 2nd in 1.39.51 ahead of Paul Evenett (Redcar RWC) 1.40.57.

In the Women’s 20km British Record Holder Jo Jackson (Redcar RWC) put behind a disappointing performance the previous weekend in the IAAF Challenge in Rio Major, Portugal. Recovered from the hamstring injury – she took the title in 1.35.37.

Jackson passed halfway in 46.00, but as she had two cards on the board throttled back to cruise round the last 10km to secure the national title. In second place was triple Commonwealth medallist and former national record holder Lisa Kehler (Wolverhampton & Bilston) who clocked the second fastest time by a British athlete this year in clocking 1.44.18, ahead of Dianne Bradley (Tonbridge) 1.53.39.

In the Junior Men’s 10km, Ben Wears stepping up to the 20km race led to a showdown between Mark O’Kane (Coventry Godiva Harriers), Alex Wright (Belgrave Harriers) and Tom Bosworth (Tonbridge) for the two remaining places in the Aviva Great Britain and NI team for the forthcoming European Cup in Metz, France.

Boswoth set the early pace and Wright moved ahead of O’Kane. However, by the halfway point O’Kane had moved ahead of both of his rivals. Wright was soon to be removed by the judges, leaving the way clear for O’Kane to take his first national title in 47.46. Bosworth hung on for second place (49.18) ahead of his team mate Liam Baldwin (Tonbrige) in 3rd (49.18). The Junior Women’s 10km saw Birchfield’s Holly Smith rack up a comfortable victory in 56.16.

Leicester’s Fiona McGorum, weakened after a heavy cold, suffered disappointment having placed well in fourth position, but started to slow at the 12k stage and was forced to drop out.

However, Sue Rey and Sarah Lightman both posted top-10 finishes to clinch the team title for Leicester.

Rey was seventh in 2hr 24min 40sec, and Lightman followed behind in eighth with a time of 2.26.28. Chris Berwick finished seventh in the men’s race in 1.57.14.

Saturday 21st March 2009

A remarkable five athletes representing the Leicester Walking Club secured gold medals at the 2009 Midland Championships staged at Abbey Park.

Chris Berwick led the way breaking the two-hour barrier to win the men's 20km race in a time of 1hr 59mins 37secs.

Team-mates Phil Smillie claimed fifth in 2:15.31, whilst, Tony Kent was 9th in 2:43.59, as Leicester finished on 286 points, runners-up to Birchfield (291). Paul Hayden, representing Hinckley, was sixth in 2:16.32.

In the women's race, Sarah Lightman won the title in 2:21.10 ahead of Leicester club-mate Sue Rey (2:23.23).

Highlight of the Young Athletes Grand Prix was produced by Maks Orzel with a superb victory in the Under-17 5km race crossing the line in a time of 26:14, a lifetime best by over two minutes. Chris Vesty claimed silver in 29:17 as Leicester won the team competition.

In the Under-15 girls competition Jasmine Nicholls won in a time of 17:11, her fastest time of 2009, whilst, Emma Achurch followed this in the Under-13 girls 2km by winning in a personal best of 11:07.
Gwenen Jones was fourth in 13:10 with Samantha Vesty 8th in 16:00 as Leicester finished runners-up to Birchfield.

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

Tuesday 10th March 2009

JO JACKSON (Redcar RWC) broke yet another British Record in taking victory in the EAA Permit Meeting, Gran Prenio Citta di Lugano.

In perfect conditions on the flat picturesque lakeside course Jackson competing for Team England, set the early pace alongside Russian Olga Povalyanyeva. Just before 5km Povalyanyeva began to pull away passing 5km in 22.32 to Jackson's 22.42, however, a storming last 4.12 kilometre saw Jackson storm past the Russian to take victory to set a new British Record of 1.31.16 removing the 1.31.33 she set in Beijing from the record.

Jackson's victory also puts her top of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge standings on 8 points. Jackson is now a second away from the A standard required for the World Championships in Berlin this year.

Jackson's performance was the highlight for an excellent day for British race walking. In the Junior Men's 10 Kilometres Ben Wears took over a minute for his personal best in finishing 2nd place in 43.11 to German Carl Dohmman (42.49).

Behind him Mark O'Kane (Coventry Godiva Harriers) smashed his personal best in to record 44.53 in 5th place. He was followed up by Tom Bosworth (Tonbridge AC) who removed almost 3 minutes from his personal best in clocking 45.29 in 8th. They were followed by Alex Wright (Belgrave Harriers) 46.27. All 4 were well inside the UKA guideline time for the European Cup of 47.00.

Team England were represented by the Colchester Harriers trio of Dominic King, Luke Finch and Daniel King in the senior men’s 20km. Daniel set the early pace amongst the trio, but Dominic passed 5km in 21.33 ahead of twin brother Daniel 21.38 and Luke Finch in his first international race since his comeback to the event last year. By the halfway mark Dominic was still leading the trio in 43.30, whilst Daniel was just behind in 43.41 and Finch 43.51.

In the second half despite tiring over the last few laps Dominic hung on to record his fastest time since 2003 clocking 1.28.33 (for 10th place) to go to the top of the Power of 10 Rankings for 2009. Finch passed Daniel King with 5km left to record a huge new personal best of 1.28.38 in 11th and Daniel bought the team home in 1.28.51. Team England were 2nd to Belarus in the team event.

Article by UK Athletics.

Saturday 7th March 2009

A record number of young athletes took part in this season’s Chris Smith Race Walking League Series. 92 walkers from 48 schools (another record) competed in this innovative, and highly successful, league format which promotes race walking.

It was a second successive 1-2 for Leysland High School as Jasmine Nicholls led home Emma Achurch with Gabrielle Terry (St Mary’s Sports College, Hull) in third place. In a great display of consistent high class performances over the 4 race series, Rebecca Chambers (Greenhill, Sheffield) topped the girls individual league and retained the title she won last year ahead of promising newcomer Zana Wellicome (Ridgeway Primary, Leics). Just five points separated the trio of Georgina Hollinshead (Hurley Primary, Atherstone), Laura Achurch (Blaby Stokes) and Hannah Winship (Plantsbrook, Sutton) in the battle for the next three positions.

Matthew Duncan (Franklin College, Grimsby) won his second race of the season with Maks Orzel (Leicester Grammar) and Ben Woolis (Hereford School, Grimsby) in the other podium placings. The boy’s title overall title was only decided in the final race. With another personal best time, Dan Chaib (High Storrs, Sheffield) pushed Orzel back into second place with Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) just four points further back. Jakob Hazlewood (Ridgeway) and Joseph Little (Blaby Stokes) completed the top five list.

Blaby Stokes Striders race walking squad successfully retained the Chris Smith race walking league team title. With their “B” team finishing as runners up, Ridgeway Primary in third and Leicester Grammar in fourth, schools race walking in Leicestershire looks to be in its healthiest state for a number of years.
Full Results:
Girls
1-Jasmine Nicholls-Leysland HS, Leics -11:40,2-Emma Achurch-Leysland HS, Leics -11:54,3-Gabrielle Terry-St Mary’s Sports College, Hull-12:28,4-Eleanor Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-12:32,5-Toni Webley-Kingstanding, Birmingham-12:41,6-Rebecca Chambers-Greenhill, Sheffield-12:50,7-Hannah Winship-Plantsbrook , Sutton-13:27,8-Kara Sanders-Hartshill, Nuneaton-13:32,9-Gwenan Jones-Leicester Grammar-13:54,10-Cassandra Tingey-Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick-14:02,11-Lisa Costelow-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:09,12-Maria Walker-Market Weighton Sec-14:13,13-Zana Wellicome-Ridgeway, Leics-14:40,14-Georgina Hollinshead-Hurley Primary, Atherstone-15:10,15-Kimberley Marston-George Elliott, Nuneaton-15:21,16-Laura Achurch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:34,17-Olivia Parkinson-Barton Seagrave Primary School, Kettering-15:38,17-Tabby Walford-Isham Primary, Kettering-15:38,19-India Robinson-Barton Seagrave Primary School, Kettering-15:56,20-Amy Sanders-Croft Junior School-16:20,,21-Lydia Cole-St. Edwards Primary, Kettering-16:23,22-Jessica Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-16:37,23-Nikita Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:42,24-Daisy Elmore-St. Edwards Primary, Kettering-16:43,25-Grace Campbell-Little Harrowden School, Wellingborough-16:44,26-Anya Gallette-St Mary’s, Burton Latimer-16:45,27-Hannah Winstone-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-16:46,27-Sim Bhandal-Brambleside PS, Kettering-16:46,27-Evie Horsley-Moulton Primary School-16:46,27-Annie Gilbert-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-16:46,31-Laura Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:48,32-Sophie Naylor-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:58,33-Jade Hatch-Manor Park, Coventry-17:01,34-Amelia Rebhan-St. Edwards Primary, Kettering-17:33,34-Chloe Treacy-Barton Seagrave Primary School, Kettering-17:33,36-Ellie Birch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-18:45
Boys
1-Matthew Duncan-Franklin College, Grimsby-9:48,2-Maks Orzal-Leicester Grammar-10:57,3-Ben Woolis-Hereford School, Grimsby-11:38,4-Nathan Duncan-Hereford School, Grimsby-12:02,5-Dan Chaib-High Storrs, Sheffield-12:21,6-Daniel Waples-Guilsborough H S, Northants-12:24,7-Matthew Redfern-Overseal Junior School-13:08,8-Ethan Mehmet-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-13:58,9-Toby Howgill-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:10,10-Jakob Hazelwood-Ridgeway, Leics-14:16,11-Joe Smith-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:18,12-Charlie Jones-Barton Seagrave School, Kettering-14:23,13-Jack Callister-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:50,14-Alfie Martin-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:15,15-Joseph Little-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:34,16-Edward Viney-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:52,17-Ewan Murcroft-Mill Brook School-16:01,18-Sebastian Winstone-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-16:06,19-Matthew Allan-Mill Brook School-16:41,20-Peter Bilson-SHEAF-16:49,21-George Watson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:00,22-Joseph O’Toole-Danesholme, Corby-17:32,23-Benjamin Allen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:46,24-Joseph Percy-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:48
Final Girls League
1-Rebecca Chambers-189,2-Zana Wellicome-168,2-Georgina Hollinshead-149,4-Laura Achurch-147,5-Hannah Winship-144,6-Eleanor Mills-133,7-Gwenan Jones-131,8-Emma Achurch-124,9-Jasmine Nicholls-116,10-Jessica Mills, 11-Kara Sanders-110
Final Boys League
1-Dan Chaib-197,2-Maks Orzel-175,3-Joe Smith-171,4-Jakob Hazelwood-162,5-Joseph Little-154,6-Daniel Waples-151,7-Jack Callister-146,8-Matthew Duncan-1259-Nathan Duncan -122,10-Alfie Martin-109
Team Standings:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics-401,2 Blaby Stokes “B”-338,3 Ridgeway Primary, Market Harborough-330,4 Leicester Grammar-306,5 Blaby Stokes “C”-287,6 High Storrs, Sheffield-277,7 Greenhill “A”, Sheffield-247,8 Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood-243,9 Leysland High School, Leics-240,10 Hall Meadow A, Kettering-237,11 Blaby Stokes “D”-231,12 Hereford School, Grimsby-230,13 Blaby Stokes “E”-182,14 Barton Seagrave A, Kettering-181,15 Overseal Junior-160,16 Guilsborough H S, Northants-151,17 Hurley Primary, Atherstone-149,18 St. Edwards Primary A , Kettering-146,19 Plantsbrook, Sutton-144,20 Michael Drayton, Nuneaton-139,21 Mill Brook-132,22 Blaby Stokes “F”-127,23 Franklin College, Grimsby-125,24 Moulton Primary, Northants-120,25 Hartshill High, Nuneaton-110,26 Sharlands Collegiate, Smethwick-107,27 Burbage Junior-93,28 Barton Seagrave B, Kettering-93,29 Nicholas Chamberlaine Bedworth-85,30 Croft Junior-85,31 Rawlins College, Leics-80,32 Blaby Stokes “G”-68,33 Cadbury College-64,34 Isham Primary, Kettering-57,35 St. Mary's Burton Latimer, Kettering-56,36 Kingstanding, Birminghsm-55,37 Little Harrowden Primary, Wellingborough-47,38 Hall Meadow Primary B, Kettering-47,39 Broughton School-46,40 Barwell Junior-40,41 Brambleside Primary, Kettering-39,42 Market Weighton, E. Yorks-36,43 HS Academy, Sheffield-27,44 Blaby Stokes “H”-27,45 Danesholme, Corby-26,46 St Mary’s Sports College, Hull-25,48 St. Edwards Primary B , Kettering-21,49 President Kennedy School, Coventry-19,50 George Elliott-15,51 Hawthorn Community Primary, Kettering-14,52 Greenhill “B”, Sheffield-12,53 Hall Meadow Primary B, Kettering-10,54 Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone-9,55 Ise Community College, Kettering-9,56 Etone School, Nuneaton-9,57 Meadowhead, Sheffield-7,58 SHEAF-5,59 Manor Park-6,60 Blaby Stokes “I”-5,61 Wyke College, Hull-3

Saturday 21st February 2009

CHRIS VESTY representing the Leicester Walking Club made a brilliant debut in his first senior championships.

The 16-year-old teenager sliced two minutes off his personal best over 10k to finish in fourth place with a time of 58mins 33secs at the 2009 Midland Championships held at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

This fine performance earned him a further accolade as he edged out 50-year-old Birchfield competitor Peter Boszko to the standard award.

"It's a classification for athletes who have not won anything in a senior championship and, in Chris's case, he was making his debut at this level," said his father, Colin, who was eighth in 60:09.

"Chris and Peter had a real battle for the award as they were neck and neck with half a kilometre to go, but Chris pulled away in the final 400 metres."

Leicester walkers also filled the second and third places, with Mark Wall taking the runners-up position in 55:34 and Chris Berwick finishing third in 57:09, whilst, Hinckley's Peter Hayden, who represents for Nuneaton, was 10th in 62:37.

In the women's 5k, Leicester's Sarah Lightman was fifth in 32:21 and Sue Rey sixth in 33:55.

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

Saturday 7th February 2009

JOANNE JACKSON has smashed the British 5,000 metres track walking record at the 2009 Australian Cup in Brisbane with a time of 21 minutes 01.24 seconds.

The 24-year-old Redcar athlete had an easy victory ahead of the host nation's Jessica Rothwell and Cheryl Webb who posted marks of 21:12.63 and 21:38.57.

Jackson's performance improved massively on the clocking of 21:30.75 which she set at last July's Olympic trials, which however has still to be ratified.

Lisa Kehler was the previous fastest Briton with a time of 21:42.51 achieved seven years ago.

Saturday 7th February 2009

JASMINE NICHOLLS (Leysland High School) and Maks Orzel (Leicester Grammar) strode home to their first ever league victories in the Chris Smith 2km. Race Walking League held on Tuesday 27th January.

A record 62 athletes took part in the third round of this highly successful postal event.

Nicholls finished ahead of team-mate Emma Achurch while Maria Fielder (Nicholas Chamberlaine, Bedworth) took almost a minute off her previous best time to finish third in the listings. In the girls individual league Rebecca Chambers (Greenhill, Sheffield) has a healthy lead going into the final race of the series. Local girls, Gwenan Jones (Leicester Grammar) and Zana Wellicome (Ridgeway) are tied in second place.

Maks’ time was another personal best and put him well clear of Matthew Duncan (Franklin College, Grimsby) and Christopher Vesty (Rawlins School, Leicester). However the overall boys league remains tightly contested with Orzel’s lead a slender 4 points ahead of Dan Chaib (High Storrs, Sheffield) with Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes) just two points further back.

In the closest team competition in memory Blaby Stokes Striders “A” team (100 points) just held off Ridgeway (99 points), St Edwards in Kettering (95 points), Barton Seagrave (94 points) and Michael Drayton (92 points). As a result of this performance, current team champions Stokes extended their lead over Leicester Grammar in the overall standings.
Full Results:
Boys
1-Maks Orzel-Leicester Grammar-10:07;2-Matthew Duncan-Franklin College, Grimsby-10:58;3-Christopher Vesty-Rawlins School, Leics-10:59;4-Nathan Duncan-Hereford School, Grimsby-11:18;5-Daniel Waples-Guilsborough H S, Northants-12:18;6-Dan Chaib-High Storrs, Sheffield-13:07;7-Joe Smith-Blaby Stokes, Leics-13:40;8-Jakob Hazelwood-Ridgeway, Leics-13:41;9-Matthew Redfern-Overseal School-14:02;10-Charlie Jones-Barton Seagrave School, Kettering-14:11;11-Jack Callister-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:18;11-Alfie Martin-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:18;13-Billy Oakes-St. Edwards Primary, Kettering-15:24;13-Ewan Murcroft-Mill Brook School-15:24;15-Joseph Little-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:31;16-Edward Viney-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:32;17-Evan Bridgstock-Broughton School-15:33;;18-Peter Bilson-SHEAF-16:07;19-Matthew Allan-Mill Brook School-16:10;20-Ryan Horne-President Kennedy Comm. School, Coventry-16:17;21-Sebastian Winstone-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-16:49;22-Benjamin Allen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:02;22-George Watson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:02;24-Joseph Percy-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:20
Girls
1-Jasmine Nicholls-Leysland HS, Leics -11:06;2-Emma Achurch-Leysland HS, Leics -11:36;3-Maria Fielder-Nicholas Chamberlaine, Bedworth-12:18;4-Hannah Winship-Plantsbrook , Sutton-12:43;5-Eleanor Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-12:46;6-Gwenan Jones-Leicester Grammar-12:47;7-Rebecca Chambers-Greenhill, Sheffield-13:13;8-Gabrielle Terry-St Mary’s Sports College, Hull-13:28;9-Cassandra Tingey-Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick-13:35;10-Georgina Hollinshead-Hurley Primary, Atherstone-14:52;11-Zana Wellicome-Ridgeway, Leics-14:55;12-Kara Sanders-Hartshill, Nuneaton-14:56;13-Eden Backhouse-Michael Drayton Junior-15:14;13-Jessica Warren-Burbage Junior School-15:14;15-Nikita Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:32;15-Jessica Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-15:32;17-Amelia Rebhan-St. Edwards Primary, Kettering-15:36;17-Bethany Dennis-Michael Drayton Junior-15:36;19-Laura Achurch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:42;20-Katie Simons-Moulton Primary School-15:48;20-Evie Horsley-Moulton Primary School-15:48;22-Olivia Parkinson-Barton Seagrave Primary School, Kettering-16:00;22-India Robinson-Barton Seagrave Primary School, Kettering-16:0024-Laura Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:0625-Hannah Winstone-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-16:3225-Annie Gilbert-Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering-16:3227-Chloe Treacy-Barton Seagrave Primary School, Kettering-16:3327-Daisy Elmore-St. Edwards Primary, Kettering-16:3329-Ellie Birch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:4130-Amy Sanders-Croft Junior School-16:4431-Kezia Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:5632-Violet Clayton-Hawthorn Community Primary, Kettering-17:3432-Grace Campbell-Little Harrowden School, Wellingborough-17:3434-Rosie Parsons-Etone School, Nuneaton-17:4535-Sim Bhandal-Brambleside PS, Kettering-18:0436-Kiran Somal-Ise Community College, Kettering-18:0637-Nasra Abdulsamad-Hawthorn Community Primary, Kettering-18:5438-Azaria Mott-St Mary’s, Burton Latimer-18:56
Girls League (points after third race)
1-Rebecca Chambers-135;2-Gwenan Jones-118;2-Zana Wellicome-118;4-Hannah Winship-109;5-Georgina Hollinshead-108;6-Laura Achurch-96;7-Jessica Mills-94;8-Eleanor Mills-93;8-Jessica Warren-93;8-Emma Achurch-93
Boys League (points after third race)
1-Maks Orzel-145;2-Dan Chaib-141;3-Joe Smith-139;4-Jakob Hazelwood-127;5-Joseph Little-105;6-Daniel Waples-104;7-Nathan Duncan -102;8-Jack Callister-98
Team:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics-301;2 Leicester Grammar-263;3 Ridgeway Primary, Market Harborough-245;4 Blaby Stokes “B”-245;5 High Storrs, Sheffield-221;6 Blaby Stokes “C”-205;7 Greenhill “A”, Sheffield-193;8 Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood-187;9 Leysland High School, Leics-173;10 Blaby Stokes “D”-170;11 Hereford School, Grimsby-157;12 Michael Drayton, Nuneaton-139;13 Blaby Stokes “E”-133;14 Hall Meadow, Kettering-130;15 Plantsbrook, Sutton-109;16 Guilsborough H S, Northants-104;17 Overseal Junior-102;18 Moulton Primary, Northants-102;19 Blaby Stokes “F”-101;20 Hurley Primary, Atherstone-95;21 St. Edwards Primary A , Kettering-95;22 Barton Seagrave A, Kettering-94;23 Burbage Junior-93;24 Nicholas Chamberlaine Bedworth-85;25 Rawlins College, Leics-80;26 Sharlands Collegiate, Smethwick-80;27 Mill Brook-76;28 Franklin College, Grimsby-73;29 Hurley Primary, Atherstone-71;30 Cadbury College-64;31 Croft Junior-58;32 Blaby Stokes “G”-55;33 Hartshill High, Nuneaton-51;34 Barton Seagrave B, Kettering-49;35 St. Mary's Burton Latimer, Kettering-47;36 Broughton School-46;37 Barwell Junior-40;38 Hall Meadow Primary A, Kettering-31;39 HS Academy, Sheffield-27;40 Little Harrowden Primary, Wellingborough-26;41 Blaby Stokes “H”-24;42 Lancaster Boys, Leicester-22;43 Brambleside Primary, Kettering-21;44 President Kennedy School, Coventry-19;45 Market Weighton, E. Yorks-16;46 St. Edwards Primary B , Kettering-16;47 St Mary’s Sports College, Hull-14;48 Hawthorn Community Primary, Kettering-14;49 Greenhill “B”, Sheffield-12;50 Hall Meadow Primary B, Kettering-10;51 Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone-9;52 Ise Community College, Kettering-9;53 Etone School, Nuneaton-9;54 Meadowhead, Sheffield-7;55 Blaby Stokes “I”-5;56 SHEAF-5;57 Wyke College, Hull-3

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

Saturday 24th January 2009

LEICESTER Race Walking Club captain Mark Wall retained his club 10-mile title from Haynes Road.

Wall broke away from Chris Berwick in the second half of the race but runner-up Berwick took the County championship.

In the women's race, Sue Rey overturned a 14-second deficit at halfway to beat Sarah Lightman by 16 seconds.
Leading Results:
1 Mark Wall 1hr 35min 27sec, 2 Chris Berwick 1.37.40, 3 Phil Smillie 1.45.10, 4 Colin Vesty 1.48.48, 5 Sue Rey 1.53.22, 6 Sarah Lightman 1.53.38, 7 Tony Kent 2.09.46

Chris Smith Race Walking League 2008/09

Saffron Lane Sports Centre, Leicester

Tuesday 18th November 2008

BOOSTED by a contingent of new walkers from the Kettering area, this innovative postal event witnessed a near record 56 athletes competing in the second round of the Chris Smith 2km Race Walking League.

Once again Holly Smith (Cadbury College, W.Midlands) clocked the fastest time in the girls event with Jasmine Nicholls and Emma Achurch (both Leysland High School) in second and third.

In the corresponding boys race, leading times were clocked by Matthew Duncan (Franklin College, Grimsby) and Maks Orzel (Leicester Grammar) who both knocked huge chunks off their personal bests. Christopher Vesty (Rawlins School, Leicester) was third.

In a tight team competition on the night, Blaby Stokes Striders “A” team (106 points) just held off Hereford School, Grimsby (103) with Hall Meadow, Kettering in third (99 points) a solitary point ahead of Leicester Grammar and Stokes “B”. After two races in the series Stokes have stretched their lead over Leicester Grammar and High Storrs in Sheffield.

Both individual leagues are currently led by walkers from Leicester Grammar. Gwenan Jones’ improvement by over a minute on her previous best time leapfrogged her into top spot in her league with Sheffield training partners, Rebecca Chambers (Greenhill) Sarah Sheasby (High Storrs) tied in second place on 80 points.

Maks Orzel leads the promising Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes, Leics) and Dan Chaib (High Storrs) in the boys league.
Full Results:
Boys
1 Matthew Duncan Franklin College, Grimsby 10:05
2 Maks Orzel Leicester Grammar 10:17
3 Christopher Vesty RawlinsSchool, Leics 10:19
4 Nathan Duncan Hereford School, Grimsby 10:47
5 Ben Woolis Hereford School, Grimsby 11:59
6 Dan Chaib High Storrs, Sheffield 13:38
7 Joe Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 13:47
8 Daniel Waples Guilsborough H S, Northants 13:53
9 Jakob Hazelwood Ridgeway, Leics 14:15
10 Jack Callister Blaby Stokes, Leics 14:45
11 Matthew Kibble Barwell, Leics 15:19
12 Edward Viney Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:24
13 Charlie Green Greenhill, Sheffield 15:29
14 Joseph Little Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:32
14 Harry Birch Lancaster Boys, Leicester 15:32
16 Benjamin Allen Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:48
17 George Watson Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:51
18 Jake Smith Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:53
19 Jack Salmen Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:58
20 Charlie Arnold Queen Elizabeth, Atherstone 16:29
21 Joseph Percy Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:40
Overall:
1 Maks Orzel 91
2 Joe Smith 87
3 Dan Chaib 84
4 Jake Smith 77
5 Jack Salmen 74
6 Benjamin Allen 72
= Nathan Duncan 72
8 Jakob Hazelwood 45
Girls
1 Holly Smith Cadbury College 9:52
2 Jasmine Nicholls Leysland HS, Leics 11:07
3 Emma Achurch Leysland HS, Leics 11:26
4 Kathryn Granger Meadowhead 11:44
5 Eleanor Mills Grace Academy,
Chelmsley Wood 12:11
6 Gwenan Jones Leicester Grammar 12:17
7 Hannah Winship Plantsbrook , Sutton 12:52
8 Cassandra Tingey Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick 13:25
9 Rebecca Chambers Greenhill, Sheffield 13:33
10 Sarah Sheasby High Storrs, Sheffield 13:47
11 Jessica Warren Burbage Junior School 14:21
12 Zana Wellicome Ridgeway, Leics 14:38
13 Anya Gallette St. Mary's Burton Latimer, Kettering 14:54
13 Annie Gilbert Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering 14:54
15 Hannah Winstone Hall Meadow Primary, Kettering 14:55
16 Caitlyn Akers H.S. Academy, Sheffield 15:00
17 Sophie Naylor Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:19
18 Jessica Mills Grace Academy,
Chelmsley Wood 15:20
19 Laura Achurch Blaby Stokes, Leics 15:34
20 Nikita Bazylinski Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:00
21 Laura Jo Bazylinski Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:23
22 Grace Campbell Little Harrowden Primary, Wellingborough 16:29
23 Sim Bhandal Brambleside Primary, Kettering 16:33
24 Katie Simons Moulton Primary, Northants 16:37
24 Evie Horsley Moulton Primary, Northants 16:37
24 Georgina Hollinshead Hurley Primary, Atherstone 16:37
27 Kezia Brown Blaby Stokes, Leics 16:41
28 Kiran Somal Ise Community College, Kettering 16:51
29 Eleanor Maloy Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:09
30 Ellie Birch Blaby Stokes, Leics 17:45
31 Kara Sanders Hartshill, Nuneaton 18:37
32 Alice Crowdell Blaby Stokes, Leics 18:58
33 Nasra Abdulsamad Hawthorn Community Primary, Kettering 19:03
34 Amy Sanders Croft Junior School 19:04
35 Rosie Parsons St Josephs Junior, Nuneaton 19:15
Overall:
1 Gwenan Jones 85
2 Rebecca Chambers 80
2 Sarah Sheasby 80
4 Zana Wellicome 75
5 Jessica Warren 74
6 Eleanor Mills 67
7 Holly Smith 64
8 Emma Achurch 58
Team:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics 201
2 Leicester Grammar 176
3 High Storrs, Sheffield 164
4 Blaby Stokes “B” 162
5 Ridgeway Primary, Market Harborough 146
6 Blaby Stokes “C” 141
7 Greenhill “A”, Sheffield 138
8 Hereford School, Grimsby 127
9 Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood 121
10 Blaby Stokes “D” 114
11 Hall Meadow, Kettering 99
12 Leysland High School, Leics 89
13 Blaby Stokes “E” 86
14 Burbage Junior 74
15 Blaby Stokes “F” 66
16 Cadbury College 64
17 Plantsbrook, Sutton 56
18 Rawlins College, Leics 55
19 Franklin College, Grimsby 54
20 Michael Drayton, Nuneaton 47
21 Sharlands Collegiate, Smethwick 44
22 Blaby Stokes “G” 43
23 Overseal Junior 42
24 Guilsborough H S, Northants 42
25 Croft Junior 41
26 St. Mary's Burton Latimer, Kettering 41
27 Barwell Junior 40
28 Hurley Primary, Atherstone 37
29 HS Academy, Sheffield 27
30 Nicholas Chamberlaine School, Bedworth 26
31 Blaby Stokes “H” 24
32 Moulton Primary, Northants 24
33 Lancaster Boys, Leicester 22
34 Little Harrowden Primary, Wellingborough 17
35 Brambleside Primary, Kettering 16
36 Market Weighton, E. Yorks 16
37 Hartshill High, Nuneaton 14
38 Hurley Primary, Atherstone 13
39 Greenhill “B”, Sheffield 12
40 Hull Collegiate 10
41 Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone 9
42 Meadowhead, Sheffield 7
43 Ise Community College, Kettering 6
44 President Kennedy Comm. School, Coventry 6
45 Blaby Stokes “I” 5
46 SHEAF 4
47 Wyke College, Hull 3
48 Hawthorn Community Primary, Kettering 3
49 St Josephs Junior, Nuneaton 2

Tuesday 25th November 2008

CHRIS BERWICK took Leicester Walking Club’s Fortune Cup over 10km at Saffron Lane Stadium. He eased away from club mates Mark Wall and Colin Vesty over the final third of the race to clock a winning time of 58 minutes one second.

Sarah Lightman won the women’s category in 68mins 48secs.
Results:
Men
1 Chris Berwick 58:01
2 Mark Wall 58:20
3 Colin Vesty 59:24
4 Phil Smiley 62:50
5 Hardeep Minhas 65:23
6 Dennis Myers 67:21
Women
1 Sarah Lightman 68:48
2 Sue Rey 71:20

Saturday 15th November 2008

LEICESTER WALKING CLUB had a superb day at the second Midland Winter League meeting of the season at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium on Saturday 8th November - claiming three individual victories and one team success.

UWIC student Fiona McGorum led the way in the Women's 10k by taking first place in 55mins 38secs, three minutes faster than her winning time in the first meeting of the series at Tamworth.

With support from team-mate Sue Rey, who was third in 1:10.54, and strong performances from the men in their 10k race, Leicester secured the overall team victory.

In the Men's event – which was won in a fast 43:33 by former Leicester athlete Luke Finch, the British international who now competes for Colchester – Leicester's Dwayne Butterly claimed the runner-up position in 51:01.

Other Leicester victories came in the Under-13 and Under-15 Girls races over 2k and 3k respectively. Emma Achurch led home the Under-13s in 11:11, a personal-best by just one second, whilst, Jasmine Nicholls took the Under-15 honours in 16:48, a big lifetime-best by 22 seconds.
Leading Results:
U13 Girls 2km
1 Emma Achurch 11:11, 5 Gwenan Jones 12:52 (pb by 12secs), 12 Samantha Vesty 16:27
Teams:
2 Leicester
U15 Girls 3km
1 Jasmine Nicholls 16:48
Men's 5km
7 Chris Vesty 28:37 (1st U17), 9 Colin Vesty 29:27, 19 Hardeep Minas 31:59
Women's 5km
9 Sue Rey 33:33, 11 Sarah Lightman 33:39
Teams:
2 Leicester
Men's 10km
2 Dwayne Butterly 51:01, 4 Chris Berwick 56:23, 8 Paul Hayden (Nun) 61:52, 9 Colin Vesty 63:43, 14 Hardeep Minas 67:26
Women's 10km
1 Fiona McGorum 55:38, 3 Sue Rey 1:10.54

www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Chris Smith Race Walking League 2008/09

Saffron Lane Sports Centre, Leicester

Tuesday 14th October 2008

THIS popular postal 2km. Race Walking League attracted 19 new competitors to the opening event of the competition.

Holly Smith (Cadbury College, W.Midlands) took her third consecutive Chris Smith league win with a splendid sub 10 minute clocking. Emma Achurch (Leysland High School) and Eleanor Mill (Grace Academy) notched their best ever positions in the series to secure the other podium places.

In the boys event Christopher Vesty (Rawlins School, Leicester) chalked up his second league win with Maks Orzal (Leicester Grammar), taking almost a minute and a half off his personal best to claim the runner up spot. Third quickest boy was Nathan Duncan from Hereford School, Grimsby.

Leicestershire’s Blaby Stokes Striders made a positive start in their bid to retain the team trophy but early indications are that they will be given a tough battle by the squads from Sheffield and other Leicestershire schools.

The individual leagues are always closely contested as they are based on a handicapping system which encourages all competitors to improve or get close to their best performances over the 4 race series.

Sarah Sheasby (High Storrs, Sheffield) leads the girl’s individual standings by 3 points from last year’s champion Rebecca Chambers (Greenhill, Sheffield) with Eleanor Mills (Grace Academy) only one point further back.

Joe Smith (Blaby Stokes, Leics) currently tops the individual boy’s league ahead of team-mate Benjamin Allen with Maks Orzal in third place.
Full Results:
Boys
1-Christopher Vesty-Rawlins School, Leics-10:30; 2-Maks Orzal-Leicester Grammar-11:06; 3-Nathan Duncan-Hereford School, Grimsby-11:58; 4-Matthew Duncan-Franklin College, Grimsby-12:18; 5-Dan Chaib-High Storrs, Sheffield-14:08; 6-Jakob Hazlewood-Ridgeway, Leics-14:09; 7-Toby Howgill-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:12; 8-Joe Smith-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:14; 9-Matthew Redfern-Overseal Junior School-14:46; 10-Charlie Green-Greenhill, Sheffield-14:58; =-Dimitri Desnjonocks-Wyke College, Hull-14:58; 12-Jack Callister-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:06; 13-Edward Viney-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:19; 14-Peter Bilson-SHEAF-15:21;=-Alfie Martin-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:21; 16-Joseph Little-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:30; 17-Benjamin Allen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:31; 18-Jack Salmen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:38; 19-Jake Smith-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:43; 20-Ryan Horne-President Kennedy Comm. School, Coventry-17:04; =-Jacob Bowyer-Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone-17:04; 22-Matthew Kibble-Barwell, Leics-17:10; 23-Joseph Percy-Blaby Stokes, Leics-21:01
Overall Points:
1-Joe Smith-48; 2-Benjamin Allen-47; 3-Maks Orzal-46; 4-Jakob Hazelwood-45; 5-Dan Chaib-44; 6-Matthew Redfern-42; 7-Charlie Green-39; 8-Jack Callister-33; 9-Jack Salmen-31; 10-Jake Smith-30
Girls
1-Holly Smith-Cadbury College-9:52; 2-Emma Achurch-Leysland HS, Leics -11:12; 3-Eleanor Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-12:08; 4-Gabrielle Terry -Hull Collegiate-12:18; 5-Maria Fielder-Nicholas Chamberlaine School, Bedworth-13:10; 6-Cassandra Tingey-Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick-13:29; 7-Gwenan Jones-Leicester Grammar-13:31; 8-Maria Walker-Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire-13:48; 9-Rebecca Chambers-Greenhill, Sheffield-14:00; 10-Sarah Sheasby-High Storrs, Sheffield-14:08; 11-Caitlyn Akers-H.S. Academy, Sheffield-14:13; 12-Zana Wellicome-Ridgeway, Leics-15:00; 13-Jessica Warren-Burbage Junior School-15:20; 14-Bethany Dennis-Michael Drayton, Nuneaton-15:31; =-Kara Sanders-Hartshill, Nuneaton-15:31; =-Georgina Hollinshead-Hurley Primary, Atherstone-15:31; 17-Eden Backhouse-Michael Drayton, Nuneaton-15:37; 18-Jessica Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-15:48; 19-Amy Sanders-Croft Junior School-15:50; 20-Nikita Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:55; 21-Chloe Pateman-Greenhill, Sheffield-16:08; 22-Eve Thompson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:32; 23-Laura Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:52; 24-Ellie Birch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:27; 25-Alice Crowdell-Blaby Stokes, Leics-20:30
Overall Points:
1-Sarah Sheasby-44; 2-Rebecca Chambers-41; 3-Eleanor Mills-40; 4-Zana Wellicome-38; 5-Georgina Hollinshead-37; =-Amy Sanders-37; 7-Emma Achurch-35; 8-Holly Smith-34; 9-Gwenan Jones-32; 10-Bethany Dennis-28
Team Standings:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics-95; 2 High Storrs, Sheffield-88; 3 Ridgeway Primary, Market Harborough-83; 4 Greenhill “A”, Sheffield-80; 5 Leicester Grammar-78; 6 Blaby Stokes “B”-64; 7 Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood-62; 8 Blaby Stokes “C”-59; 9 Michael Drayton, Nuneaton-47; 10 Blaby Stokes “D”-44; 11 Overseal Junior-42; 12 Hurley Primary, Atherstone-37; 13 Croft Junior-37; 14 Leysland High School, Leics-35; 15 Cadbury College-34; 16 Blaby Stokes “E”-33; 17 Burbage Junior-27; 18 Nicholas Chamberlaine School, Bedworth-26; 19 Rawlins College, Leics-25; 20 Blaby Stokes “F”-25; 21 Hereford School, Grimsby-24; 22 Sharlands Collegiate, Smethwick-20; 23 HS Academy, Sheffield-17; 24 Market Weighton, E. Yorks-16; 25 Hartshill High, Nuneaton-13; 26 Greenhill “B”, Sheffield-12; 27 Hull Collegiate-10; 28 Franklin College, Grimsby-10; 29 Blaby Stokes “G”-10; 30 Barwell Junior-7; 31 President Kennedy Comm. School, Coventry-6; 32 Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone-6; 33 SHEAF-4; 34 Wyke College, Hull-3; 35 Blaby Stokes “H”-1

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

Thursday 23rd October 2008

ON the first day of the Chinese Race Walking Championships which are being held in Xintai, China, two athletes bettered the world junior mark* for the 10km.

Wang Hao, 19-year-old, who just lost out on a medal at the Olympic Games in Beijing when placing fourth in the 20km, five seconds behind Australian Jared Tallent’s bronze, won today’s 10km race in Xintai, Shandong Province, clocking 39:32.

The current world junior mark for 10km is the 39:57 set by Aleksey Bartsaykin of Russia when winning the junior race at the World Race Walking Cup in Cheboksary, Russia on 10th May 2008. However, this time is yet to be ratified* and there was no existing mark before that which met all the necessary world record criteria.

In second place in Xintai was Wang Kun, who was also below Bartsaykin’s clocking with a 39:35 performance.

Hao’s time, like Bartsaykin’s walk, must be ratified before it can be considered an official World record.
Leading Results:
Under-20 10km
1 Wang Hao (16.8.89) 39:32
2 Wang Kun (10.5.89) 39:35

Friday 26th September 2008

LEICESTERSHIRE and Rutland Schools took silver and bronze medals at the 35th Sainbury’s English Schools Race Walking Championships held at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Saturday 20th September.

Jasmine Nicholls (Leysland School) led the way by producing a superb lifetime best performance to take silver in the Junior Girls 3,000m in 17mins 38.1secs.

Over the same distance Maks Orzel (Leicester Grammar) claimed bronze in the Junior Boys event in 16:58.49.

Completing the county team was Chris Vesty (Rawlins College) who was sixth in the Intermediate Boys 5,000m in 29:58.

Full results are available on the following link: http://esaa.net/2008/ce/nat08.pdf

2008 UK/RWA 10km & UK Race Walk Challenge Final

Lee Valley Athletic Centre, Picketts Lock

Saturday 6th September 2008

BEIJING Team GB representative Jo Jackson returned to action following her British Record in Beijing by dominating the UK/RWA 10km and UK Race Walk Challenge Final as the Leicester duo of Helen Middleton and Sue Rey secured team victory at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

Jackson in her last competitive outing of her very successful outdoor season dominated the women’s race from the start crossing the line in a time of 45mins 20secs in the very wet and windy conditions. Her victory was also enough to secure the UK Challenge for 2008.

Jackson commented: “That was hard today, it has been tough since Beijing to keep the training going with everything else going on! I am looking forward to a well earned rest now!”

Leicester Walking Club secured the team title as Helen Middleton (58:33) and Sue Rey (68:57) finished in fourth and eighth place respectively.

In the Men’s race Daniel King (Colchester Harriers) set the early pace on the fist of the 6 laps with his twin brother Dominic alongside him. Daniel soon pulled well clear of his brother and went through half way in 21:30.

Dominic King was eventually disqualified as Daniel King maintained his lead to come home in a time of 43:52 ahead of Irishman Brendan Boyce (Coventry Godiva Harriers) who set a new personal best in 44:26.

Junior Ben Wears (Redcar RWC) came home in third place in 45:05, ahead of Luke Finch (Colchester Harriers) who made a welcome return to competitive action after a two-year gap, taking third place in the RWA Champs in 46:23. King’s victory secured the UK Race Walk Challenge title.

Leicester were represented by Mark Wall (22nd in 56:26) and finishing one-place behind Chris Berwick (57.1).
Full Results:
Men 10km
1-Daniel King-Colchester Harriers-43.52
2-Brendan Boyce-Coventry Godiva Harriers/Ireland-44.26
3-Ben Wears-Redcar RWC-45.05
4-Luke Finch-Colchester Harriers-46.23
5-Scott Davies-Ilford AC-46.27
6-Mark O'Kane-Coventry Godiva Harriers-47.51
7-Mark Williams-Tamworth AC-48.30
8-Tom Bosworth-Tonbridge AC-48.48
9-Jim Ball-Steyning AC-49.11
10-Nick Silveseter-Aldershot Farnham & District-50.16
11-Phil Barnrad-Castle Point-51.22
12-Trevor Jones-Hillingdon AC-51.30
13-Stephen Crane -Surrey RWC-52.47
14-Steve Arnold-Nuneaton Harriers-53.18
15-John Hall-Belgrave Harriers-53.48
16-Jonathon Hobbs-Ashford (U17)-54.04
17-Ian Richards-Steyning AC-54.4
18-Steve Uttley-Ilford AC-54.41
19-Steve Allen-Ilford AC-55.38
20-Arthur Thomson-V.A.C.-55.45
21-Antonio Cirillo-Swansea-56.04
22-Mark Wall-Leicester WC-56.26
23-Chris Berwick-Leicester WC-57.1
24-David Kates-Ilford AC-58.12
25-Dave Sharpe-Ilford AC-61.06
26-Chris Bent-Pitsea-61.22
27-Chris Flint-London Vids-62.14
28-Sean Pedner-Enfield & Harringay-62.19
29-Lawrence Dorby-Ilford AC-63.42
30-Ron Powell-Enfield & Harringay
Team:
1 Ilford AC 'A' 261 points
2 Ilford AC 'B' 225 points
3 Colchester Harriers 197 points
Women 10km
1-Jo Jackson-Redcar RWC-45.20
2-Chelsea O'Rawe Hobbs-Blackheath -56.32
3-Dianne Bradley-Tonbridge-56.34
4-Helen Middleton-Leicester RWC-58.33
5-Ann Belchambers-Hillingdon-62.51
6-Jacqueline Cox-Loughton-65.41
7-Rebecca Colins-Medway (u17)-68.48
8-Sue Rey-Leicester RWC-68.57
Team:
1 Leicester RWC 188 points

Saturday 13th September 2008

MARK WILLIAMS, the pre-race favourite led from start to finish to regain his title in the Jim Sharlott Memorial 10k held at Leicester's Abbey Park.

Williams, representing Tamworth, who also triumphed in 2005 and 2006, clocked a time of 49mins 20secs to take victory by a margin of more than four minutes clear of Nuneaton's Steve Arnold (53:32).

Mark Wall led the challenge for the host club Leicester, securing third place in 54:20, as the city club's team of Wall, Rod Dunn, Chris Berwick and Dennis Myers held off the challeneg of Birchfield Harriers to take the top team prize.

In the younger age-group races, there were comfortably victories for Chris Vesty (Under-17) and Maks Orzel (Under-15) and Jasmine Nicholls (Under-15), the Leicester trio who will be contesting the 2008 Sainsburys English Schools Championships at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium next week (September 20th).

Nicholls fine victory secured her top place in the National (YAG) Young Athlete Grand Prix in this, the last round of the race series. At Under-13 level, Emma Achurch was second following a tight finish over 2k.

The performances from Leicester's youg athletes lifetd the club up from sixth place to fourth in the final Grand Prix table.
Leading Results:
Men
1 Mark Williams (Tam) 49.20; 2 Steve Arnold (Nun) 53.32; 3 Mark Wall (Leics) 54.20; 4 John Constandinou (Birchfield) 55.43; 5 Chris Berwick (Leics) 58.00
Handicap
1 Wall (Tam) 54.20 (actual time); 2 Dennis Myers (Leics) 62.12; 3 Constandinou (Birchfield 55.43
Women
1 Helen Middleton 59.35; 2 Sue Rey 68.10
Age Groups
U11 1k: 1 Mathew Redfern (Tam) 6.24. Girls: 1 Jessica Warren (Nun) 6.35.
U13 2k: Boys: Daniel Waples (Kettering) 12.43. Girls: 1 Eleanor Mills (Birchfield) 11.15; 2 Emma Achurch (Leics) 11.21; 5 Gwenan Jones (Leics) 13.02; 8 Samantha Vesty (Leics) 16.33.
U15 3k: Boys: Maks Orzel (Leics) 16.58. Girls: 1 Jasmine Nicholls (Leics) 18.07
U17 3k: 1 Chris Vesty (Leics) 16.34
Combined Team:
Boys
1 Leicester 40pts, 2 Birchfield 35pts, 3 Ace Racewalking 34pts
Girls
1 Birchfield 80pts, 2 Leicester 65pts, 3 Nuneaton 54pts

www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp