Wednesday 20th February 2008

HELEN MIDDLETON representing Leicester Walking Club went within 14 seconds of winning the RWA National 10-mile title at Enfield after leading for nine-and-three-quarter miles.

Middleton, competing in her first national championship after less than a year in the sport, recorded a time of 97mins 51secs but was edged out into second place by Hillingdon's Anne Bellchambers (97:37).

Middleton, however, had the consolation of a team Gold as Leicester team-mate Sue Rey and Sarah Lightman finished in fifth (108.10) and seventh (113.19) respectively.

The Leicester Men's team of Mark Wall (13th in 87:53) and Chris Berwick (16th in 90:10) finished in sixth place overall.

www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Tuesday 12th February 2008

TEAM captain Mark Wall led the Leicester Walking Club to victory at the Midland 10km Championships held at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

In a race won by Tamworth's Mark Williams, Wall finished third in a time of 54mins 21secs, and there was strong back-up from Chris Berwick, fourth in 55:52, and Rod Dunne, 7th in 58:43.

In the Women's 5km, victory went to Olympian Lisa Kehler, of Wolverhampton, Leicester's Fiona McGorum took Silver in 27:04 and led her team to Bronze behind Wolverhampton and Birchfield.

Leicester's Helen Middleton was seventh in 29:41 and third scorer Sarah Lightman was 10th in 32:51, five seconds and one place ahead of team-mate Sue Rey.

www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Saturday 26th January 2008

DIFFICULT conditions affected times throughout the country in the third round of this popular postal 2km. Race Walking League. Holly Smith (Cadbury College, W.Midlands) secured her first Chris Smith League win after notching up runners up spots in the previous two races. Fiona McGorum (U.W.I.C.) and Kathryn Granger (King Ecgberts, Sheffield) took the other podium places.

In the Boys event Antonio Cirillo (Neath Port Talbot College) made it a hat trick of wins in this current series with Mark Pratt (All Saints, Sheffield) and Matthew Duncan (Franklin College, Grimsby) finishing in second and third respectively.

Although Market Weighton (E.Yorks) headed the team league on the night ahead of Michael Drayton School in Nuneaton and Leicestershire’s Blaby Stokes, it is the Stokes Striders team that takes a healthy lead into the final race of the series.

The individual leagues are 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. Rebecca Chambers (Greenhill, Sheffield) leads the Girl’s individual standings by 6 points from Eleanor Mills (Grace Academy, Birmingham) with Maria Walker (Market Weighton, E.Yorks) only two points further back.

Antonio Cirillo (Neath) leapfrogged over Rory Chandler (Blaby Stokes, Leics) to top the individual Boy’s league with Shaun Cohen (Handsworth Grange, Sheffield) just 3 points off the pace in third place.
Full Results:
Boys
1-Antonio Cirillo-Neath Port Talbot College-9:02; 2-Mark Pratt-All Saints, Sheffield-10:29; 3-Matthew Duncan-Franklin College, Grimsby-11:29; 4-Tyler Bower-City School, Sheffield-11:33; =-Eddie Brebner-King Ecgberts, Sheffield-11:33; 6-Andy Friend-University of Wales Institute Cardiff-11:40; 7-Nathan Duncan-Hereford School, Grimsby-11:46; 8-Maks Orzal-Leicester Grammar-12:59; 9-Shaun Cohen-Handsworth Grange, Sheffield-13:37; 10-Thomas Wagg-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:38; 11-Rory Chandler-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:43; 12-Fergus Jeffs-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:44; 13-Dominic Bishop-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:53; 14-Harrison Stephen-Thistly Meadow, Leics-15:13; 15-Peter Bilson-SHEAF-16:54; 16-Ben Timson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:25; 17-Charlie Arnold-Queen Elizabeth, Atherstone-18:26; =-Jacob Bowyer-Queen Elizabeth Primary, Atherstone-18:26; =-Harry Stain-Market Drayton Junior-18:26
League (points after 3 races)
1-Antonio Cirillo-139; 2-Rory Chandler-132; 3-Shaun Cohen-129; 4-Dominic Bishop-125; 5-Fergus Jeffs-116; 6-Maks Orzal-98; 7-Andy Friend-93; 8-Tyler Bower-92
Girls
1-Holly Smith-Cadbury College-10:30; 2-Fiona McGorum-University of Wales Institute Cardiff-10:36; 3-Kathryn Granger-King Ecgberts, Sheffield-11:06; 4-Jasmine Nicholls-Leysland H.S., Leics-12:01; 5-Keera Rayment-City Tech College, Kingshurst-12:06; 6-Gabrielle Terry -Hull Collegiate-12:21; 7-Emma Achurch-Blaby Stokes, Leics -12:54; 8-Maria Walker-Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire-12:58; 9-Eleanor Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-13:06; 10-Toni Webley-Kingstanding, Birmingham-13:20; 11-Chelsea Walker-Market Weighton, E.Yorks-13:21; 12-Caitlyn Akers-H.S. Academy, Sheffield-13:53; 13-Cassandra Tingey-Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick-14:16; 14-Lisa Costelow-Blaby Stokes, Leics -14:23; 15-Fiona Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:32; 16-Rebecca Chambers-Greenhill, Sheffield-14:43; 17-Eve Stain-Heartshill HS, Nuneaton-14:51; 18-Gwenan Jones-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:03; 19-Grace Tharrold-Market Drayton Junior-15:12; 20-Eden Backhouse-Market Drayton Junior-15:12; 21-Chloe Pateman-Greenhill, Sheffield-15:45; 22-Katherine Jolley-Brantwood, Sheffield-15:55; 23-Jessica Warren-Burbage Junior-15:56; 24-Jessica Mills-Marston Green Junior, Birmingham-16:08; 25-Nikita Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:28; 26-Amy Sanders-Croft Junior-16:49; 27-Sophie Naylor-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:37; 28-Laura-Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:38; 29-Eva Maddison-Blaby Stokes, Leics-18:24; 30-Kezia Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-18:24; =-Rosie Parsons-St Josephs Junior, Nuneaton-18:27; =-Elise Streton-Barwell Junior-18:27
League (points after 3 races)
1-Rebecca Chambers-138; 2-Eleanor Mills-132; 3-Maria Walker-130; 4-Gwenan Jones-120; 5-Cassandra Tingey-114; 6-Jasmine Nicholls-112; 7-Katherine Jolley-110; 8-Holly Smith-107
Overall Team Standings:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics-280; 2 Blaby Stokes “B”-242; 3 Greenhill, Sheffield-233; 4 Market Weighton, E. Yorks-227; 5 Blaby Stokes “C”-209; 6 Michael Drayton “A”, Nuneaton-197; 7 Blaby Stokes “D”-179; 8 University of Wales-162;9 Blaby Stokes “E”-152; 10 Neath Port Talbot College-139; 11 Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood-132; 12 Handsworth Grange, Sheffield-129; 13 Blaby Stokes “F”-115; 14 Sharlands Collegiate, Smethwick-114; 15 Leysland High School, Leics-112; 16 Brantwood, Sheffield-110; 17 Cadbury College-107; 18 Leicester Grammar-98; 19 Blaby Stokes “G”-94; 20 City School, Sheffield-92; 21 Franklin College, Grimsby-86; 22 Burbage Junior-84; 23 HS Academy, Sheffield-79; 24 King Ecgberts, Sheffield-79; 25 Croft Junior-78; 26 Hereford School, Grimsby-77; 27 All Saints, Sheffield -75; 28 Rawlins College, Leics-72; 29 St Edmunds Campion, Erdington-61; 30 Wolfreton School, E. Yorks-60; 31 Blaby Stokes “H”-60; 32 Heartshill High, Nuneaton-59; 33 City Tech. Kingshurst-52; 34 Kingstanding, Birmingham-51; 35 Queen Elizabeth, Atherstone-47; 36 Marston Green Junior, Birmingham-42; 37 Thistly Meadow, Leics-31; 38 Hull Collegiate-30; 39 Blaby Stokes “I”-28; 40 Silverdale School, Sheffield-22; 41 Hall Orchard, Leics-19; 42 Beauchamp College, Leics-16; 43 Alderman Smith’s, Nuneaton-14; 44 Michael Drayton “B”, Nuneaton-7; 45 Lacely’s Junior, Nuneaton-5; 46 Blaby Stokes “I”-5; 47 SHEAF-5; 48 St Joseph’s Junior, Nuneaton-5; 49 Barwell Junior-5; 50 Nicholas Chamberlain, Nuneaton-2

Tuesday 22nd January 2008

IN a joint initiative to improve the level of international performances, the Swedish and British National Race Walking Squads joined forces for a squad camp staged at Leeds Metropolitan University.

The squads benefited from being able to train together as well as discuss training and coaching methods. Both squads were involved in sessions on strength and conditioning. Members of both squads hope the camp will assist in their preparations for the forthcoming IAAF World Cup of Race Walking in Cheboksary in Russia in May and the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The joint initiative was coordinated by Dr Ian Richards as Senior Lecture in the Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education at Leeds Met and was made possible by the support of Malcolm Brown the Director of Sport at the University.

The Swedish squad also benefited from being able to tap into the expertise of Brian Hanley a Lecturer in Biomechanics. Brian is already working with both the Great Britain and Irish National Squads. Utilising the specialist equipment in the Carnegie Research Institute enables a number of tests to be conducted using force plates built into a treadmill, high speed cameras and EMG recorders.

This provides walkers with a full analysis of technique and the movement of their joints and muscles. Both squads also benefited from individual feedback from Brian Hanley on a study undertaken at the 2007 European Cup Race Walking in Leamington Spa which involved capturing all the competitors at various points during the 5 races.

This is the biggest and most comprehensive study of the biomechanics of race walking at a major event ever undertaken. The athletes and coaches from both Sweden and Great Britain enjoyed the experiences of working together and will benefit significantly from the feedback from the biomechanical analysis.

Both parties are keen to develop this partnership further as they prepare for Cheboksary and Beijing and in the long term to use the expertise and support of Leeds Met to assist British and Swedish race walkers develop into medal prospects for 2012.

Wednesday 23rd January 2008

LEICESTER WALKING CLUB athletes collected two Northamptonshire and four open titles at a meeting at Kettering.

Mark Wall won the Northamptonshire 10k in a time of 56mins 3secs and Helen Middleton claimed the women's title in 60:57.

Sue Rey won the Women's Open 5km in 34:26, whilst three juniors also won with Jasmine Nicholls in the Under-15 Girls 3km in 20:27, Emma Achurch in the Under-13 Girls 2km in 12:56, and Maks Orzel in the Under-15 Boys 2km in 12:59.

Midland Winter Race Walking League 2007/08

Tamworth

Saturday 24th November 2007

LEICESTER WALIKING CLUB won the overall 10k team handicap and were second in the 5k team handicap at the final Midland Winter League meeting held at Tamworth.

Men's captain Mark Wall won the overall mixed 10k handicap from Women's captain Sue Rey, who was second.

UWIC student Fiona McGorum claimed the individual title with victory on the day in 56mins 47secs.

Two juniors claimed Silver medals when Jasmine Nicholls, in the Under-15 Girls 3k, clocked 18:05, narrowly losing the league title by one second.

Emma Achurch was also second in the Under-13 Girls, smashing her personal-best for 2k with 12:22, the first time she had broken 13 minutes.

In the annual Midlands awards announced on the day, Jill Eve won the George & Beatrice Carr Trophy for the most-improved female walker.

Leicester Women were also awarded the Claire Powell Trophy, based on results achieved earlier in the season.
Leading Results:
Men 10k
4 Mark Wall (Leics) 55:05, 6 Paul Hayden (Nun) 61:31
Women 10k
4 Sue Rey (Leics) 66.17
Men 5k
5 Mark Wall (Leics) 27:57
Women 5k
6 Helen Middleton 29:57 (2nd overall handicap), 9 Sarah Lightman 33:12, 10 Sue Rey 34:06
Women Scratch Teams:
1 Wolverhampton, 2 Leicester

www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Chris Smith Race Walking League 2007/8

Saffron Lane Sports Centre, Leicester

Tuesday 13th November 2007

BLUSTERY conditions around the United Kingdom meant that only a handful of competitors in the second 2 km race of this popular postal Race Walking League beat their personal bests.

Antonio Cirillo (Neath Port Talbot College) took his second successive Chris Smith league win with a fine time of 9mins 8secs. Previous league champions Mark Pratt (All Saints, Sheffield) and Chris Vesty (Rawlins College, Leics) finished second and third respectively.

In the girls event Fiona McGorum (UWIC) took her total of wins in the Chris Smith League format to seven. With 6 runners-up spots and 4 thirds in her seventeen appearances she is the most successful walker the league has seen. Holly Smith (2nd - Cadbury College, West Midlands) and Kathryn Granger (3rd - King Ecgberts, Sheffield) retained the positions they achieved in the season’s opening event.

With 69 young walkers already registering times, this league format continues to flourish and indications are that competition will be fierce in all the categories when the league resumes early in 2008.

Both leaders of the individual leagues hold narrow two point leads. Currently, the promising Rory Chandler ((Blaby Stokes) tops the individual boy’s league over Antonio Cirillo. Shaun Cohen (Handsworth Grange) has two walkers from the Stokes squad (Fergus Jeffs and Dominic Bishop) challenging him for third place.

The girl’s league sees Cassandra Tingey (Sharlands Collegiate) leading training partner Eleanor Mills (Grace Academy) with Rebecca Chambers (Greenhill, Sheffield) and Jasmine Nicholls (Leysland HS, Leics) chasing hard.

Blaby Stokes Striders have their “A” and “B” teams at the top of the team league having stretched their lead over Greenhill School, Sheffield.
Full Results:
Boys
1-Antonio Cirillo-Neath Port Talbot College-9:08; 2-Mark Pratt-All Saints, Sheffield-10:31; 3-Christopher Vesty-Rawlins School, Leics-11:25; 4-Tyler Bower-City School, Sheffield-11:35; 5-Andy Friend-University of Wales Institute Cardiff-12:45; 6-Maks Orzal-Leicester Grammar-13:13; 7-Alex Thorne-Wolfreton School, E. Yorks-13:56; 8-Shaun Cohen-Handsworth Grange, Sheffield-14:05; 9-Rory Chandler-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:31; 10-Thomas Wagg-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:43; 11-Callum Naylor-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:44; 12-Fergus Jeffs-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:45; 13-Callum Bloxham-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:22; = Dominic Bishop-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:22; 15-Harrison Stephen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:01; 16-Christopher Johnson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:04; 17-Harry Birch-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:12; 18-Alfie Martin-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:45; 19-Harry Sayers-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:58; 20-Charlie Arnold-Queen Elizabeth, Atherstone-17:01; 21-Jon Athon-Alderman Smith’s, Nuneaton-17:01
Individual Standings (after 2 races)
1-Rory Chandler-102; 2-Antonio Cirillo-100; 3-Shaun Cohen-85; 4-Fergus Jeffs-79; 5-Dominic Bishop-79; 6-Maks Orzal-75; 7-Christopher Vesty-72; 8-Tyler Bower-63
Girls
1-Fiona McGorum-University of Wales Institute Cardiff-10:15; 2-Holly Smith-Cadbury College-10:26; 3-Kathryn Granger-King Ecgberts, Sheffield-10:37; 4-Jasmine Nicholls-Leysland H.S., Leics-11:29; 5-Keera Rayment-City Tech College, Kingshurst-11:35; 6-Gabrielle Terry -Hull Collegiate-11:59; 7-Danya Sarayreh-Silverdale School, Sheffield-12:04; 8-Eleanor Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-12:56; 9-Cassandra Tingey-Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick-13:07; 10-Emma Achurch-Blaby Stokes, Leics -13:31; 11-Maria Walker-Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire-13:56; 12-Lisa Costelow-Blaby Stokes, Leics -14:06; 13-Chelsea Walker-Market Weighton, E.Yorks-14:13; 14-Kara Sanders-Croft Junior-14:30; 15-Fiona Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:44; = Caitlyn Aker-H.S. Academy, Sheffield-14:44; 17-Rebecca Chambers-Greenhill, Sheffield-15:02; 18-Gwenan Jones-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:04; 19-Niamh Sculley-St Edmunds Campion, Erdington-15:24; = Aimee Holloway-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:24; 21-Eden Backhouse-Market Drayton Junior-15:25; 22-Katherine Jolley-Brantwood, Sheffield-15:38; 23-Jessica Mills-Marston Green Junior, Birmingham-15:57; 24-Jessica Warren-Burbage Junior-16:25; 25-Chloe Pateman-Greenhill, Sheffield-16:32; = Laura-Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:00; 27-Sophie Naylor-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:00; 28-Sam Vesty-Hall Orchard, Barrow-17:51; = Imogen Nicholls-Blaby Stokes, Leics-18:56; 30-Eva Maddison-Blaby Stokes, Leics-18:56; 31-Kezia Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-19:16
Individual Standings (after 2 races)
1-Cassandra Tingey-102; 2-Eleanor Mills-100; 3-Rebecca Chambers-95; 4-Jasmine Nicholls-91; 5-Gwenan Jones-84; 6-Katherine Jolley-83; 7-Maria Walker-81; 8-Laura-Jo Bazylinski-77
Team Standings:
1 Blaby Stokes “A”, Leics-193; 2 Blaby Stokes “B”-169; 3 Greenhill, Sheffield-156; 4 Blaby Stokes “C”-155; 5 Blaby Stokes “D”-137; 6 Market Weighton, E. Riding-128; 7 Blaby Stokes “E”-118; 8 Michael Drayton. Nuneaton-108; 9 Sharlands Collegiate, Smethwick-102; 10 Neath Port Talbot College-100; = Grace Academy, Chelsley Wood-100; 12 University of Wales-97; 13 Leysland High School, Leics-91; = Blaby Stokes “F”-91; 15 Handsworth Grange, Sheffield-85; 16 Brantwood, Sheffield-83; 17 Blaby Stokes “G”-76; 18 Leicester Grammar-75; 19 Cadbury College-74; 20 Rawlins College, Leics-72; 21 Franklin College, Grimsby-69; 22 City School, Sheffield-63; 23 St Edmunds Campion, Erdington-61; 24 Wolfreton School, E. Yorks-60; = Blaby Stokes “H”-60; 26 Croft Junior-52; 27 All Saints, Sheffield –50; 28 Burbage-46; 29 HS Academy, Sheffield-44; 30 Queen Elizabeth, Atherstone-41; 31 City Tech. Kingshurst-39; 32 King Ecgberts, Sheffield-38; 33 Hereford School, Grimsby-32; 34 Blaby Stokes “I”-28; 35 Hull Collegiate-24; 36 Marston Green Junior, Birmingham-23; 37 Silverdale School, Sheffield-22; 38 Heartshill High, Nuneaton-19; = Hall Orchard, Leics-19; 40 Beauchamp College, Leics-16; 41 Alderman Smith’s, Nuneaton-14; 42 Lacely’s Junior, Nuneaton-5; = Blaby Stokes “I”-5; 44 SHEAF-4; 45 Nicholas Chamberlain, Nuneaton-2; 46 St Joseph’s Junior, Nuneaton-1; = Blaby Stokes “J”-1

Midland Race Walking League 2007/08

Perry Park, Birmingham

Saturday 10th November 2077

LEICESTER WALKING CLUB'S Jasmine Nicholls achieved her first Midland Winter League victory at Perry Park, Birmingham.

She crossed the line in 18 minutes to win the Under-15 Girl's 3km, slicing 48 seconds off her lifetime-best in the process and defeating Beth Jackson by five seconds, her first success over her Wolverhampton rival in competition.

In the Senior Women's 5km, all-three Leicester athletes set personal-bests.

Helen Middleton made her club debut, finishing fifth in 30mins 14secs, Sue Rey was eighth in 32:54 and Sarah Lightman 11th in 33:52. In the Women's 10k, junior British international and UWIC student Fiona McGorum claimed second place in 58:34.

In the Men's 10km, Mark Wall was third in 54:42 after finishing seventh in the 5km earlier in 26:46.

Other Leicestershire athletes in action in Birmingham over the 10km distance were Sue Rey (Leics W), 5th in 66:52, Paul Hayden (Nuneaton) 7th in 61:01 and Martin Oldfield (Leics W) 17th in 68:39.

www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp

Thursday 8th November 2007

THE UK Athletics Race Walking Event Conference is being held on Sunday 9th December at 10am at the Headingley Campus of Leeds Metropolitan University.

The day will be led by Andi Drake - UK Event Coach (Race Walking) and speakers will include:
Andy Paul - (UK Athletics Head of Athletic Development)
Brian Hanley - (Biomechanist Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education)
Neil Holmes - (Carnegie Athletics Coach/XLR8 - Strength and Conditioning for Race Walkers)

Practical workshops will be included and the delegate fee is just £15, including lunch.

To book your place email contact either Andi Drake on a.drake@coventry.ac.uk, or Spencer Barden on sbarden@ukathletics.org.uk, or Ian Richards on i.richards@leedsmet.ac.uk

Tuesday 16th October 2007

FIONA McGORUM, the 18-year-old University of Wales Institute Cardiff student representing the Leicester Walking Club won the opening 2km race of the Chris Smith League recording a time of 10mins 15secs to finish ahead of Holly Smith.

Antonio Cirillo of Neath Port Talbot College won the Boys race in 9:17.
Full Results:
Boys
1-Antonio Cirillo-Neath Port Talbot College-9:17
2-Mark Pratt-All Saints, Sheffield-10:33
3-Tyler Bower-City School, Sheffield-11:21
4-Matthew Duncan-Franklin College, Grimsby-11:26
5-Christopher Vesty-Rawlins School, Leics-11:30
6-Ben Frary-Franklin College, Grimsby-11:52
7-Nathan Duncan-Hereford School, Grimsby-12:17
8-Maks Orzal-Leicester Grammar-12:44
9-Alex Thorne-Wolfreton School, E. Yorks-13:50
10-Shaun Cohen-Handsworth Grange, Sheffield-14:00
11-Andy Friend-University of Wales Institute Cardiff-14:03
12-Christopher Johnson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:43
13-Fergus Jeffs-Blaby Stokes, Leics-14:48
14-Charlie Arnold-Queen Elizabeth, Atherstone-15:01
15-Ben Dunlin-Wolfreton School, E. Yorks-15:10
16-Rory Chandler-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:12
17-Dominic Bishop-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:30
18-Joshua Thornton-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:31
19-Harrison Stephen-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:32
20-Peter Bilson-SHEAF-15:44
21-Adam Timson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:24
22-Ben Timson-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:25
23-Harry Sayers-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:36
24-Ryan Horn-Alderman Smith’s, Nuneaton-16:45
25-Ben Phelan-Nicholas Chamberlin, Nuneaton-17:07
26-Harry Stain-Market Drayton Junior-19:06
27-Jack Knight-Lacely’s Junior, Nuneaton-19:06
Girls
1-Fiona McGorum-University of Wales Institute Cardiff/Leics-10:15
2-Holly Smith-Cadbury College-10:21
3-Kathryn Granger-King Ecgberts, Sheffield-10:37
4-Lauren Gimson-Beauchamp College-11:10
5-Keera Rayment-City Tech College, Kingshurst-11:40
6-Gabrielle Terry -Hull Collegiate-11:59
7-Jasmine Nicholls-Leysland H.S., Leics-12:06
8-Emma Achurch-Blaby Stokes, Leics -13:16
9-Eleanor Mills-Grace Academy, Chelmsley Wood-13:17
10-Cassandra Tingey-Sharlands Collegiate Academia, Smethwick-13:43
11-Maria Walker-Market Weighton, East Riding of Yorkshire-13:48
12-Caitlyn Akers-H.S. Academy, Sheffield-14:00
13-Lisa Costelow-Blaby Stokes, Leics -14:08
14-Niamh Sculley-St Edmunds Campion, Erdington-14:15
15-Gwenan Jones-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:02
16-Georgia Cooper-Michael Drayton, Nuneaton-15:03
17-Aimee Holloway-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:08
18-Fiona Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-15:09
19-Rebecca Chambers-Greenhill, Sheffield-15:30
20-Chloe Pateman-Greenhill, Sheffield-15:37
21-Katherine Jolley-Brantwood, Sheffield-15:43
22-Jessica Warren-Burbage Junior School-16:38
23-Imogen Nicholls-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:39
24-Eve Stain-Heartshill High School, Nuneaton-16:43
25-Laura-Jo Bazylinski-Blaby Stokes, Leics-16:44
26-Becky Cooper-Heartshill High School, Nuneaton-16:45
27-Kezia Brown-Blaby Stokes, Leics-17:19
28-Sam Vesty-Hall Orchard, Barrow-17:46
29-Rosie Parson-St. Joseph’s Junior, Nuneaton-18:44
30-Sophie Naylor-Blaby Stokes, Leics-19:25

Tuesday 16th October 2007

THE 7th European Cup of Race Walking which was staged in May in Royal Leamington Spa was recognised as an outstanding World Class Event at the recent Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sport Awards.

The awards ceremony was staged at the Ricoh Arena, home of Coventry City FC. The event staged by Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sport was hosted by former World 5,000 metres record-holder Dave Moorcroft.

Competition Director Ian Richards said: "It is fantastic that all the hard work of the LOC has been recognised by those involved in sport across the sub region."

Norton Handicap 10km Trophy 2007

Haynes Road, Leicester

Saturday 6th October 2007

COLIN VESTY won the Norton Handicap 10km Trophy event after a narrow finish that was held at Haynes Road in Leicester following a narrow finish.

Vesty finished ahead of team mate John Sturgess (69:57) in a time of 60mins 43secs as Lionel Humphreys, a recent new member of Leicester Walking Club, claimed third place in 66:18.

Fastest overall walker was Chris Berwick in 57:39 as he finished in fourth place, Sue Rey recorded 71:45 as the only women competitor in the race.
Full Results:
1 Colin Vesty 60:43; 2 John Sturgess 69:57; 3 Lionel Humphreys 66:18; 4 Chris Berwick 57:39; 5 Mark Wall 63:53; 6 Sue Rey (W) 41:45; 7 Tony Kent 78:52

2007 IAAF Race Walking World Challenge Final

Saransk, Russia

Saturday 29th September 2007

VLADIMIR KANAYKIN sensationally chipped five seconds of the World record for the men’s 20km Race Walk and surprised everybody including himself at the final of the 2007 IAAF Race Walking World Challenge in Saransk, Russia. The women’s 20km was won by Olga Kaniskina, the Osaka World champion, in a race which she dominated with a world season lead of 1:26:47.

Everyone enjoyed an opening ceremony the night before which filled the town’s stadium. Yes, more than 5000 turned up for the flag waving and speeches for a race walk championship. No wonder, the town makes a proud claim as the walking capital of the world.

Thousands of spectators standing 2 or 3 deep in places also thronged the sides of the 2km loop course to cheer on the competitors.

Not even coach Victor Gegin thought an eclipse of Jefferson Perez’s four-year old mark was on the cards until the last 400 metres, and then it became increasingly clear the 22-year-old was about to delight his home town following on a perfect course.

Kanaykin had already posted a super fast 1:17:36 in winning the Russian Championships in June, but this race was at the end of a long season including 50k at last month’s World Championships in Osaka, where he failed to finish.

It helped that he had the help of three countrymen for all but the last 2k lap. But such was the speed the quartet were travelling it said much for Kanaykin’s technique and strength he was the only one of the four to survive the judge’s red disc.

The weather was also as perfect as the course. Starting at 10am local time, it was overcast, with temperatures hovering around 15 degrees. More to the point there was no wind, but the 2k loop was as straight as a dye, except for the turns at either end. The local organizing committee were also congratulating themselves on forking out some of their $800,000 race budget by re-surfacing the entire course.

Kanaykin built up a eight-second lead at 5k reached in 19:25, but was then quickly joined by Valeriy Borchin, Igor Yerokhin and junior champion Sergey Morozov making his debut.

At 10k the four shot through in 38:28, with the rest of the field trailing in their wake.

Luke Adams from Australia was more than a minute back, and Norway’s Erik Tysse was struggling with a hip injury a minute further back. Both were vying for the top $30,000 Challenge prize, but on the next lap Tysse called it a day unable to shug off a hip injury sustained in Osaka.

At the sharp end, Kanaykin was shrugging off the opposition like a worn out coat.

Yerokhin was first to see the red disc, and a tiring Morozov, making his debut at the distance, had already fallen off the pace by the time he was removed as he attempted to start the final lap.

Kanaykin must have sensed something was on as he hammered down the final straight, and coach Gegin shouted a warning even though the talented Russian had yet to post a card.

Breaking the tape five seconds ahead of Perez’s mark set at the World Championships in Paris in 2003, Kanaykin looked as if he could do another three laps at the same pace.

“I realised with one lap to go I could break the world record, but my coach warned me about being DQ’d,” said Vladimir Kanyakin. “It’s amazing, and I can’t really take it all in right now. I never thought I could break the record. The course was impressive, but not as much as the people cheering for me. “I knew I had to walk hard for them – after all, most of them are neighbours.”

Kanaykin’s coach Victor Gegin said: ‘This was never expected. It’s beyond my dreams. But he (Kanaykin) is a wonderful athlete. He can walk 50km, 20 any distance you want – and has the capability to win them all.”

Adams moved through from fifth to second having passed just Vladimir Stankin, but the real story of the day went to a man, whose name translated into English means ‘the whole world’.

“The course was perfect but it seemed long because of the long straight. My PB is 1:19:19 so 1:21:03 is not so good for me,” confirmed Luke Adams. “I was hoping to get 5th place and I feel very lucky to have finished second. I was hoping for a fast time here as I trained hard for Osaka. I am tired with all the travelling and only trained once a day. There were a lot of problems getting here but once we did, the course, food and organization have been perfect.”

Erik Tysse who did not finish the race commented: “My hip flexor has been a problem since Osaka and bearing that in mind did not think that it was worth it to hurt himself further bearing in mind I have to start training for Beijing (Olympics) next week.”

She always wears a pained expression even from the gun – but Olga Kaniskina made light work of the Race Walking Challenge final in her home town.

Osaka’s World Champion was never headed, and after a season in which she has ably stepped into the shoes of former champions like Olympiada Ivanova, the latest from the Russian champions production line must now be considered favourite for Olympic gold in Beijing next year.

The 22-year-old had company for 16k, and then shook off final challenger Anisya Kornikova to come home just 44 seconds outside her best.

Kornikova, at just 17, gamely kept up the chase and was rewarded with 1:27:59 for a sparkling debut at the distance.

Third went to Tatyana Korotkova, a veritable veteran at 27, who was nonetheless rewarded with a season’s best of 1:28:45.

The sun came out for the start of the race turning up the heat for the field of 23. Not that seemed to make much difference to Kaniskina, Tatyana Shemyakina and Kornikova.

They bore numbers, one, two, and three and were determined to make it much the same on the podium.

At 4k they already had nearly a minute lead over a distant group of 12 that included Kjersti Platzer, Romanian Claudia Stef, and Greek Athina Papayianni plus a throng of promising Russians.

The leading two then lost Shemyakina after four 2k laps and then increased the difference over the rest to reach 10k in 43:17.

Thereafter, it was one way to the finish line for the first two, although there were rewards for those that battled the red tape to get to Saransk in the first place.

Norwegian Platzer dropped out at 9k as a back problem flared up: “The pain was in my left leg today, but it’s a result of my back injury. I’m pleased to have finished so high up the Challenge.”

“This race was more difficult than the World Championships, because there was more responsibility to perform for my coach and the people here,” said Olga Kaniskina. “The weather was not a problem, but I was not concerned about a PB. It’s also too early to worry about Beijing.”
Leading Results:
Men
1 Vladimir Kanaykin (RUS) 1:17:16 (WR); 2 Luke Adams (AUS) 1:21:01; 3 Vladimir Stankin (RUS) 1:21:26; 4 Sergey Sergachev (RUS) 1:21:56; 5 Aleksandr Prokhorov (RUS) 1:22:13; 6 Ivan Trotsky (BLR) 1:23:13; 7 Antaloly Kukushkin (RUS) 1:23:38; 8 Aleksandr Yargunkin (RUS) 1:24:49
Women
1 Olga Kaniskina (RUS) 1:26:47; 2 Anisya Kornikova (RUS) 1:28:00; 3 Tatyana Kortokova (RUS) 1:28:46; 4 Lyudmila Arkhipova (RUS) 1:29:20; 5 Tatyana Sibileva (RUS) 1:29:53; 6 Olga Mikhaylova (RUS) 1:31:46; 7 Sabine Zimmer (GER) 1:32:19; 8 Athina Papayaánni (GRE) 1:32:34

Report by the IAAF.

World Masters Track & Field Championships 2007

Riccione, Misano Adriatico and San Giovanni, Italy

4th – 15th September 2007

TONI BOA from Harborough AC led Great Britain’s women’s team to Gold at the 2007 World Masters Track & Field Championships held jointly in the Italian cities of Riccione, Misano Adriatico and San Giovanni.

In the event affected by torrential rain and storms Boa produced two impressive performances over 5,000 metres on the track and 10k on the road.

In the 5,000m Boa finished in ninth place in a time of 29mins 19.6secs in very windy conditions in the race won by home athlete Maura Marchiori representing Italy in 26:50.7.

Over the 10km on the road Boa clocked a time of 60:34 to take 10th place as team mates Julie Bellfield (63:25) and Fiona Bishop (64:29) combined to secure the team Gold for Great Britain.

www.riccione.wma2007.org/

ESAA Sainsbury’s English Schools AA Combined Events Championships 2007

Exeter Arena Stadium, Exeter

Saturday 15th September 2007

FIONA McGORUM representing Leicestershire & Rutland was edged out into the Silver medal position in the Senior Girl’s 5km race at the 2007 ESAA Sainsbury’s English Schools AA Combined Events Championships held in fine weather at Exeter’s Arena Stadium.

McGorum, the 18-year-old 2006 AAA Bronze medallist from Countesthorpe College finished 21 seconds adrift of South Yorkshire’s impressive Rebecca Mersh in a time of 27mins 23.69secs to take the Silver medal.

British international Mersh from the City of Sheffield club collected her sixth ESAA title winning in 27:01.53, with Keera Rayment representing the West Midlands third in 28:54.96.

In the Junior Boys 3km fellow Leicester Walking Club team mate Chris Vesty from Rawlins College improved his lifetime best over the distance as he finished in fifth place in a time of 17:26.34. County compatriot Makz Orzel of Leicester Grammar finished in 10th place on his debut in 20:47.57. Victory went to Hampshire’s Michael Silvestre in 15:17.37.
Leading Results:
Senior Girls 5km
1 R Mersh (South Yorks) 27:01.53; 2 F McGorum (Leicestershire) 27:23.69; 3 K Rayment (West Midlands) 28:54.96; 4 C Kaneen (Merseyside) 32:04.28; 5 J Sampson (Dorset) 32:15.52
Junior Boys 3km
1 M Silvestre (Hampshire) 15:17.37; 2 C Ball (Hampshire) 15:19.86; 3 J Hobbs (Kent) 15:38.66; 4 S Webb (West Midlands) 14:13.05; 5 C Vesty (Leicestershire) 17:26.34; 6 N Duncan (Humberside) 17:39.93; 7 T Bower (South Yorks) 17:53.25; 8 E Brebner (South Yorks) 17:53.31; 9 P Cowell (Somerset) 18:23.73; 10 M Orzel (Leicestershire) 20:47.57; 11 A Rutherford (Lincolnshire) 20:48.83

Full results are available on the following link: http://esaa.net/

Tom Sharlott Walks (Incorp. Young Athletes Grand Prix)

Abbey Park, Leicester

Saturday 1st September 2007

LEICESTER Walking Club retained both the Men's and Women's titles at the Jim Sharlott 10km Open Walks staged at Abbey Park.

Nuneaton's Andy Penn, the 40-year-old who represented Team England at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia, won the Men's race in a time of 48mins 03secs, as his international class and quality shone through to cross the line comfortably ahead the defending champion Mark Williams of Tamworth (48:48).

Last year's Silver medallist, Nick Silvester representing Aldershot, Farnham and District secured third place in 49:09.

Chris Berwick was the first Leicester athlete home taking seventh place as he led the host team to victory crossing the line in 54:58.

Mark Wall combined with Colin Vesty and Dennis Myers packed in closely in 12th (1:01.11), 13th (1:01.24) and 14th (1:02.01) places to secure the title.

Dianne Bradley representing Tonbridge claimed the Women's title in 56:26 ahead of Leicester's 2006 AAAs Bronze medallist Fiona McGorum (58:46) (pictured above) and team mate Jill Eve (59:40).

In the Junior Young Athlete Grand Prix support races Leicester's Jasmine Nicholls showed fine form to win the Under-13 Girls 2km in a new personal best of 12:27.

Chris Vesty finished third in the under-15 Boys 3km also recording a new personal best of 17:32.

Blaby's Emma Achurch won the Under-11 development race with a promising performance, just breaking the six-minute barrier in 5:55.

Full results are available on the following link: www.racewalkuk.com/Results.asp?sYear=2007&sMonth=9

2007 IAAF World Athletics Championships – Day 8 Morning Session

Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan

Saturday 1st September 2007

FOUR times a Commonwealth champion, now top of the world. Nathan Deakes walked away with the 50km race walk Gold on a blistering Osaka morning in the Nagai Park today after putting in a devastating burst between 35 and 40km that killed off the opposition.

After finishing fourth at 20km in 2001, the official world record-holder now joins an exclusive club containing Cathy Freeman and Jana Rawlinson as the only Australian IAAF World champions.

“This is what every athlete dreams of,” he said. “It is a great feeling, records are to be broken, but nobody can take from you away the world champion title.”

Deakes bided his time in the early stages and made his move with 15km of the race to go, destroying the threat from sudden race leader Yohan Diniz of France who took the Silver. The Australian, who has been preparing for the World Championships in the Tuscany region of Italy, entered the sun-bleached stadium in glorious isolation with his white cap still tugged tightly over his shaded eyes.

He crossed the line in 3hrs 43mins 53secs, his face streaming with tears. “I had my plan and executed well,” he said. “I will remember forever the feeling when I came into the stadium and it was clear I was the champion. It was quite emotional. I think it was my 10th 50 km, so it’s a great jubilee.”

Deakes was a superb winner, and once he took the lead his victory was never in doubt. But Diniz also had a good race as both produced their fastest times of the year in the kind of heat more suited to barbecues than race walking. Diniz finished in 3:44.22.

“The gold wasn't out of reach but it wasn't for me today,” said Diniz. “But Nathan Deakes was too strong.”

Italy’s Alex Schwazer, the fastest man in the field this year, took the Bronze in 3:44:38 after a desperate surge over the last five kilometres that almost brought him Silver. For him, the expectations had been high, and another Bronze after winning the same colour two years ago was hard to take.

“I am very disappointed,” he said. “Unfortunately my race was not the best one tactically speaking. I started too slowly and then I could not catch up. In these conditions, I wanted to be cautious, but now I know that I was too cautious.”

The temperature was already in the high 20s at shortly after 7am when the walkers left an eerily empty Nagai Stadium after four and a half laps around the track.

Deakes led them out under the long shadows that striped the streets around Nagai Park, although the Spaniard Santiago Perez and China’s Yu Chaohong soon opened an early lead of 14 seconds on a group of nine containing the three eventual medallists plus Yuki Yamazaki of Japan and the 2005 champion Sergey Kirdyapkin.

The leaders stretched their advantage to 23 seconds by 5km (23mins 36secs), but after 36 minutes on the road, Yu put his foot down and strode away from the Spaniard to become the outright leader.

Less than 10 hours after Liu Xiang’s hurdles victory, this was an eye-catching move by the Chinese walker who finished fourth at the Athens Olympics. Two years ago he produced one of the fastest times in history so it was no surprise to see him figure so highly.

At 10km (45:54) he had a 42-second lead on Perez while Kirdyapkin led the nine-man group through, 1:29 behind. By now the defending champion was joined by the youngster in the Russian team, 22-year-old Vladimir Kanaykin, and these two began the chase, hauling in Perez after 14km, and separating themselves plus Deakes and Diniz from the rest of the huddle.

At 15km (1:08:07) Yu increased his lead to 1:41, but Deakes, Kanaykin and, much to the delight of the few early morning spectators, the Japanese record-holder Yamazaki, had reduced the deficit, with Diniz a step or two behind. Kirdyapkin soon went through a bad patch and slipped back as his compatriot began to cut into Yu’s lead, reducing it to 67 seconds. The defending champion would eventually drop out.

Perhaps his early pace was taking its toll. The answer came at 20km (1:31:30) when split times showed Yu’s lead down to 18 seconds. It had been a bold attempt to win China’s second gold in two days, but within another kilometre Yu was swallowed up by Kanaykin, Yamakazi and Deakes. He hung on for a kilometre or so, but as Kamaykin upped the tempo, his bid for glory bit the dust and he was later disqualified shortly after 25km.

Meanwhile, Kanaykin led Deakes and Yamazaki to the half way point in 1:53.35 with Diniz now 14 seconds back and Yu, fading badly, almost a minute behind. A second group containing Schwazer and Kirdyapkin were another 2:14 adrift.

The leaders strode together through 30km in 2:15.39, with Diniz a quarter of a minute behind, but the Frenchman was closing fast and he stomped past the leaders like a late commuter in what can only be described as the race walkers’ equivalent of a flash. It was the fastest km of the race, 4:12, and only Deakes could respond.

The Australian had bided his time and clearly still had plenty in reserve. Slowly he pulled away from Diniz to pass 35km in 2:37.33 with a six-second advantage as Yamazaki moved into third a further 34 seconds back.

By now the heat was taking its toll on the walkers – Latvia’s Igors Kazakevics was stretchered away from the course wrapped in cold towels. Not that it seemed to affect the iron man Deakes who was oblivious to the carnage around him, kicking in kilometres of 4:18, 4:19, 4:16, 4:17, 4:19 and 4:21 to reach 40km in 2:59.05 with a lead of 39 seconds.

Behind Deakes and Diniz, Schwazer caught Yamazaki whose determined effort to bring host nation its first medal of the championships was over.

Deakes maintained his relentless pace slowing slightly in the last 10km, although never more than his challengers. As he approached the stadium Deakes gave a thumbs up sign to Aussie fans at the side of the course. By now he was sure of the gold and the grimmace of pain and sweaty concentration he’d shown for the last 10 kilometres turned into a smile.

He raised another thumb at the crowd as he strode into the arena and by the time he reached the finish line he was already in tears. He put his hands over his face in exhausted joy and wept.

Diniz punched the air, also delighted with his medal, while Schwazer was the absolute opposite. Disgusted with himself he stormed off the track, ripped off his race number and collapsed in the tunnel. His were tears of frustration.

“Maybe I will be able to rejoice in my medal later,” he said, “to appreciate it in the evening, the last 5km were very tough,” said Deakes. “But I was able to manage. Next year at the Olympics I want to try the double. But 50km is always a long way, so we will see.”

Report by the IAAF

Full results of Day 8 are available on the following link: http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/index.html

2007 IAAF World Athletics Championships

Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan

Friday 31st August 2007

THERE was certainly an interesting start to the Women’s 20km Walk at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka as the early leaders attempted to leave the Nagai Stadium one-lap ahead of schedule and had to be chased back in by red-faced officials, briefly costing them their lead.

Olga Kaniskina, last summer's European silver medallist, was a runaway winner in 1hr 39mins 9secs.

The 22-year-old Russian finished 33 seconds clear of team mate Tatyana Shemyakina, this year's European Under-23 champion. Spain's Maria Vasco took the Bronze in 1:30:47.

"It was a bit weird at the start because there was a man waving a white flag at me so I thought I could go out," Kaniskina said. "I went out and a woman waved me back and a couple of others back inside," she added. "The white flags kept going up and down - I didn't have a clue if I was on lap three or four."

Russian world record holder and defending champion Olimpiada Ivanova pulled up with a leg injury before the walkers left the stadium. Defending champion Rita Turova missed the championships because of health problems.

Great Britain’s Jo Jackson, the only home nation athlete in action in the morning session in Osaka, had her hopes of a higher placing stifled following two warnings. The 22-year-old UK champion from Redcar completed the course to finish in 25th place in a time of 1:39.34, a good solid display in the tough and demanding weather conditions.

Jackson became the first Briton to compete in an international championship walking competition since Lisa Langford finished 35th in the 10km track discipline 12 years ago in Gothenburg, and will look to build on this experience and performance ahead of the Beijing Olympics next year.

"I got to two calls before 10km, which stopped me going faster," said Jackson. "That meant I had to be careful to ensure I just finished. "The cards were probably because of a little lack of concentration and fatigue.

“Coming here was never in my plans for the season, but I have learned a lot being here - especially about preparation - which will be useful for next year."

The competitors were supposed to cover before going out on to the 2km road loop. The racers were supposed to cover 1.7km in the stadium before going on to the roads. After just a little more than two laps, Kaniskina, Shemyakina, their team mates Tatyana Sibileva and Olimpiada Ivanova, accompanied by the host nation’s Mayumi Kawasaki, had already established a gap on the main pack. As they rounded the bend past the finish line, the youngster led them towards the gate.

Too late, the race marshals spotted the error, and while some other walkers also detoured, the Russian quartet probably went about 50m out of their way, though not enough to lose their positions.

Kaniskina notably picked up the pace, perhaps to the discomfort of the defending champion and world record-holder Ivanova, who rather than leave the stadium, made for the mixed zone, the 37-year-old’s first race of the year finished before she had gone 2km.

The event was already missing the 2007 world leader, Rita Turova, of Belarussia, the winner of races at San Giovanni, Krakow, La Coruna and the European Cup, but withdrawn from these championships by her federation’s officials on medical grounds.

Kaniskina clicked through 2km in 9min 1sec, 3km in 13:31, leaving the rest trailing: Sibileva, in third, was 10sec down even after just 3km, Kawasaki – with her own little fan club carrying banners in support – and Vasco some 24 seconds down on the leader.

Shemyakina picked up a warning on the fourth kilometre, which may have impeded her chase, though she would still have had to go some just to keep pace with Kaniskina, who covered the 1,000m to the 5km mark in just 4:19. Sibileva could not even sustain steady 4:30-paced kilometres, and by the quarter-distance mark, she was 39sec off the lead. Vasco and China’s Song Hongjuan were a further 22 seconds back, just ahead of Australia’s Jane Saville. Kawasaki, despite the local support, was already drifting back, and was now 14th.

And so the dye was cast. Kaniskina continued to march towards her first international title, her style clean as far as the judges were concerned.

This was not the case with Saville, who picked up her second warning card before she got to the 10km mark. The woman so famously disqualified within touching distance of Olympic gold in her home city of Sydney in 2000, would be pulled from the race by 12km.

The rosy-cheeked Kaniskina, though, began to look a little flushed as she approached halfway, and after consistently sub-3:30 kilometres, she slowed markedly just before halfway (reached in 44:33). She was still 44 seconds clear of Shemyakina, with Vasco now up to third (45:53), and the Norwegian Kjersti Platzer on a charge, moving into fourth place from eighth at 5km.

With the mercury rising through the morning to 30 degrees, the sun out and the humidity around 65 per cent, as Kaniskina grimaced, we wondered whether she would fall prey to the conditions and her ambitious schedule.

As she passed the water stations en route, it was clear this was a two-bottle day: one bottle to be greedily drunk while she barely broke stride, the other tipped over her head in a makeshift shower to keep her body temperature down.

As Sibileva faded (she would eventually finish ninth), by 15km the top five positions were set as they would be at the finish. Although Vasco was closing rapidly on Shemyakina, the Spaniard could get no closer than the five seconds that separated her from silver by the finish – her World Bronze was not bad reward for a woman who nearly gave up the sport last year.

Kaniskina slowed markedly in the last 5km – her final kilometre was only just inside five minutes - but her rivals were suffering just as much in the latter stages and the woman from the Volga duly claimed the world crown.

Report by the IAAF

Full results are available on the following link: http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/index.html

2007 IAAF World Athletics Championships

Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan

Sunday 27th August 2007

ECUADORIAN veteran Jefferson Perez clinched an unprecedented hat-trick of world titles with a flawless demonstration of his physical and tactical superiority.

The experienced 33-year-old, who captured the 1996 Olympic 20km title in Atlanta, refused to panic when Italian Ivano Brugnetti established a 17-second lead at 10km. Instead Perez chose to bide his time and his wily approach paid dividends as he made his move on the long-time leader at 13km and eventually ran out a 20-second winner in 1hr 22min and 20sec.

Behind the gold medallist, European champion Francisco Javier Fernandez crossed the line second. But the Spaniard, who had pegged back an improbable 15m gap on Tunisian Hatem Ghoula in the home straight, was adjudged to have lifted and was disqualified post-race. However, a later Jury of Appeal decision returned the runners-up sport to the Spaniard.

Ghoula with the bronze became the first African to win a race walking medal at either a World Championship or Olympic Games. Fourth place went to Mexico’s rising star Eder Sanchez in 1:23:36.
An elated Perez said of his history-making achievement: “I had big respect before of all the walkers. I also knew I could be the first with three consecutive golds but shortly after the start I forgot about this. I needed to concentrate on today’s particular race as if it would be any other race.

“In the last three laps I was thinking ‘Just breathe well and do what you can.’ I was not thinking about the positions. Just to give the best fight. I am not sure, but this could be the toughest of my victories. After the finish line I said, ‘My goodness, maybe this is a dream, but my dream.’”

Ghoula, 34, was also elated to finally win a major championship medal and added: “I’ve been quite consistent in the last few years, fifth in Helsinki, fourth at last year’s World Cup. I’m so happy to get a medal for my eighth participation at the World Championships, besides it is the first Tunisian medal in the history of the competition. In the home straight, I drastically reduced my pace. I saw the judges close to me and got scared I could get disqualified.”

The starting pistol was fired at 8am as the 42-strong field faced a gruelling 20km challenge in temperatures of 32 degrees and 51 per cent humidity.

Perez was quickly to the fore and he led after almost eight minutes on the track before the participants left for the roads and nine 2km loops outside the Nagai Stadium. While many of the leading protagonists preferred a conservative approach Brugnetti, the Olympic 20km champion, seized the lead after 4km and passed 5km in 21:49 with a two-second advantage from Perez, Ghoula and Fernandez. The slender Italian continued to pull clear of the main field and by 10km (42:14) the 1999 world 50km champion had extended his lead to a healthy 17 seconds ahead of Perez, Sanchez and Fernadez.

However, the Italian, who had suffered two warnings for lifting, was starting to show the first signs of distress by taking on board fluid at every drinks station. Sensing the time was right to make his move Perez finally broke free from the main pack at 12km and Russia’s European under-23 champion Valery Borchin followed.

The fading Brugnetti was caught and passed after 13km by Perez and the Italian’s race was over a little further down the road when he suffered a third and fatal warning. The sapping heat was starting to take its toll on many of the competitors and Borchin’s medal bid came to an abrupt end when he dramatically collapsed on the side of the road.

At 15km Perez was joined at the front by Ghoula and the pair hit three-quarter distance in 1:02:31 – a couple of seconds ahead of Fernandez. The Spaniard worked hard to attach himself to the back of the leaders but before the final loop the Robert Korzeniowski-coached athlete started to wilt and could not sustain his effort to stay with the lead duo.

Perez injected more pace on the final 2km loop and opened up what was to prove a decisive lead on Ghoula. The South American raised his hand in acknowledgment of his historic achievement as he entered the stadium.

However, there was to be no dramatic celebration for the three-time champion as he collapsed to the ground with what appeared to be severe cramps moments after crossing the line and was carted off the track on a stretcher.

Report by the IAAF

Full results are available on the following link: http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/index.html

Wednesday 1st August 2007

BRITISH international walker Lisa Kehler has escaped with a public warning after contravening anti-doping regulations last month.

The 40-year-old Wolverhampton and Bilston veteran provided a sample which identified the presence of Terbutaline at the Carnegie Grand Prix of Race Walking in Leeds on July 7th.

Terbutaline, a Beta-2 agonist, is included as a specified substance on the 2007 World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.

Kehler accepted the substance was present in her test, due to using an asthma inhaler, for which she did not have a valid therapeutic use exemption certificate.

The British 20 kilometres road walking record holder waived her right to a disciplinary hearing which she was entitled to under IAAF rules and those of UK Athletics.

It was the athlete's first anti-doping rule violation in her lengthy career and UKA is satisfied that there was no intention to enhance performance.

UK Athletics and the IAAF are satisfied with the factors involved and Kehler is free to compete, although her performance in Leeds has been annulled.

The race review below is the original event report produced before Kehler was found to contravene anti-doping regulations.