March 2008                                                           

Miscellaneous Road Races:

The ladies' team of Gemma Connolly (6th - 84.02), Louise Hogg (12V45 97.38) and Karen Jarvis (14V45 - 100.05) took sixth place in the team race at the Wilmslow Half Marathon on 30 March. The men's team of Chris Levy (185: 92.07), Martin Howard (85V40 : 95.12), Steve Tate (76V45 97.82); and Chris Reid (78V45 98.32) were 24th. The previous day, Oulton Park winner, Julia Eccleston, finished second in the Burnley 10k (43.22).  Wilmslow Results

Committee News: March

Club member Rob Stiffin recently drew the club's attention to the importance of wearing reflective clothing when out training on dark nights. The Committee has considered the question in depth and concluded that it would be in the interests of young athletes to ensure all them wore reflective clothing when away from the track. Therefore, it is proposed to have a supply of club armbands for coaches to distribute before training sessions when road running is involved. Purchases will take as soon as prices can be ascertained.

With regards to senior athletes who may well still be running in the dark during March and April, the Committee strongly advises they purchase they own reflective gear for their own safety. It is increasingly dangerous running on the roads at night and commonsense alone suggests that all athletes should make sure they can be seen.

Recent coaching coordination papers about "The Coaching Structure for Young Athletes", "The Future of Sports Hall" and "Distance Training for Senior Athletes" were approved.  The club is purchasing video cameras for assistance with technical events on the field. Additional field event equipment will be purchased shortly.

It was determined that the new qualification criteria for the club's London Marathon places will take effect from 1st January 2009 which means selection for the 2009 event itself will be based on the existing criteria.

Trafford Young Athletes Open Meeting. 24 March

A small number of club athletes attended the Bank Holiday Young Athletes meeting at Trafford in changeable weather conditions. In the U11 Boys Jamie Dinnar recorded 9.48 (discus), 4.53 (shot), 13.97 (javelin), winning gold and two silvers. Adam Woosey won gold with 12.3 (75) and 23.60 (150) before competing in the long jump (2.97).

Owen Kennedy's 75m (12.4), 600 (2.12) and long jump (3.09) earned him a silver and two bronze while there were three wins for Daniel Elston 600(2.01.3), 150 (23.5) and 3.30 (long jump).  Ben Walsh earned gold in the shot putt (4.71), recording 13.3 (75) and 2.84 (long jump) as well, while Ben Hayburn's figures were 75 (14.4), 150 (28.9) and 1.74 (long jump).

The only U11 girl Rosie Johnson took gold in the 600 ( 2.01.3), recorded 24.9(150) and long jumped 2.62.

The trio of U13 girls all came away with medals. Lucy Renshall took bronze in the 70H 13.5 and high jump (1.25) and also contested the 75m (12.2). Chelsea Jarvis won gold in the 600 (1.42.9) and long jump (4.15) and took silver over 150 (21.4) while Rachel Woosey collected bronze in the 75 (11.5) and contested the 600 (2.01.4) and long jump (3.20).

Liane Bibby and Tricia Spark competed as U15's for the first time, Liane winning silver in the javelin (19.76) and recording 14.5 (100) and 6.76 (shot). Tricia was second in the shot (8.58), claimed third in the discus (15.96) and recorded 31.1 in the 200m.

Tom Green won the U15 100m in 12.3 - a good recovery after his recent illness.

Information and results from Colin Spark and Carl Bibby.

Halton Bridge Race: Runcorn to Hale. 23 March

Gemma Connolly finished second in the women's  race behind Liverpool's Jenny Clague but closer to her than on previous occasions. Gemma's time was 30.19, a personal best for the course. Louise Michelle Hogg (unattached runner indeed!!!!) had a run out the day after her Rivington Pike medal winning performance  finishing third 035 in 34.47. Pam Appleton was third 050 in 39.38 while Paula Evans (43.50) was so impressed with her run she joined the club 48 hours later. Dorothy Fairhurst won the 060 award in 44.45. Jane Ashcroft 50.03 was tenth 040 (watch out young John she's closing the gap!).

In the men's race Ian Costello was 12th in 28.48, Denis Wharton 31.32 (27) while John Appleton returned to racing in 45th place (33.29).  Results

Rivington Pike and Merseyside Fell Running Championships. 22 March

Julie Finn, Karen Jarvis and Louise Hogg ensured the club maintained its unbeaten sequence of county titles with a third successive Merseyside team title in cold conditions at Rivington Pike. Julie made her debut by taking third place in 24.24, Karen was fourth (25.18) and Louise fifth in 26.07. Chris Dickinson was eighth in 29.39.

The senior men lost their title by three points to Wirral who thus became the third team to hold the crown in as many years. Tony Smith grabbed a place in the county team with third place (20.02), Barry Graney was sixth in 21.31 while John Appleton completed the count  in seventh 21.37. Also competing in advance of the Northern Road Relays in two weeks time were Peter Johnson (22.55) and Ian Pass (23.05). Results

Southport Good Friday Races: 21 March

Club captain Julia Eccleston led a party of athletes at the Southport Good Friday road races in Victoria Park finishing seventh in the ladies' race in 26.48. Eleanor Reynolds was 19th in 29.30, Rose O'Hagan (in jacket and pink hat - the former dispensed with, the latter retained) 29th in 31.16 and Christine Dempsey 34th in 31.31. Dennis Wharton was the third veteran over 50 in 25.37 while Owen Kennedy completed the Fun Run in 31st place in a time of 14.04. At the Caldervale 10 near Garstang, Sue O'Hanlon recorded 84.44 as the fourth FV45 to finish. Results

Championship Entry Forms 2008

Entry forms are now available for the Merseyside, Cheshire and Northern Track and Field Championships. These can be obtained from the various websites, individual coaches or Phil Thomas.

Blackpool Open Meeting: 15 March

A small number of athletes travelled to Stanley Park, Blackpool, for an early taste of track competition. Daniel Elston recorded 2.02.7 for the 600 in second place, ran 12.7 in the sprint and long jumped 2.20 while Jamie Dinnar recorded 2.23.9(600), 25.3 (150) and 13.7 sprint. Danny Hughes's times were 60.2 (400) and 2.19.4 (800) earning fifth and sixth place respectively. Michael Hughes was eighth in the shot 7.65 and threw the hammer 23.98 (5).

March Miscellany

A number of reports, including the ESAA, recent indoors and some road races,  which recently appeared on the website have been testing Stephen Hawkins's theories by disappearing down a black hole, which has raised philosophical questions about the meaning of "existence" in the world of artificial intelligence. Phil and Barry are collaborating in identifying the source of the problem while Phil is rewriting them so they reappear shortly. For the non-computer literate Phil wiped them off the hard drive by accident!!!!

Inter-Counties Cross Countries Championships - Nottingham 15 March

There was a splendid day for club athletes at the inter-counties championships held at Nottingham. David Forrester won the U20 event with eleven seconds to spare and on cruise control. Danny Griffiths finished a splendid fifteenth and joined with David in collecting the bronze medals in the team event for Merseyside's only podium success of the day.

The seniors ladies, who included late call ups, Karen Jarvis and Ellie Reynolds (Ellie at 36 hours' notice), performed well, captain Julia Eccleston finishing fourth counter as St Helens-Sutton provided a third of the county team.

In the younger age groups Chelsea Jarvis benefited from a slower than usual start to finish second counter for Merseyside while John Ashcroft and Jemma Shaw provided the anchors for the under 15 Boys' and Girls' team. Matthew Crehan, who has been training with the club in recent weeks did the same for the Greater Manchester U17 squad.

Gemma Connolly had another superb run, finishing fifth for Cheshire completing an excellent cross country season. Results:

North West Sports Hall Final - Wigan - 2 March

The club's U11 girls took the silver medals at the North West Sports Hall finals held at Wigan while the U13 girls and U11 boys each finished fourth. There were also individual medals for Tricia Spark, Sophie Cummings and Danielle McGifford. Full results, including anyone I've inadvertently missed off,  when available. In the interim Carl Bibby whispered in a hoarse voice, " The athletes did  the club proud today. Not everyone won medals but everyone provided us with great memories of a great day. Please make sure they are thanked for their efforts." Thank you everyone who took part. Get well soon cards and sore throat medicine to Carl on Tuesday night. Results:

Haweswater Half Marathon - Bampton - Sunday 2 March

Four hardy club members ignored the possibility of being blown off their tracks by competing in the Haweswater Half Marathon near Shap in Cumbria. Gill Laithwaite (3rd: 85.56), Louise Hogg (8th: 96.37), Karen Jarvis (23rd: 103.18) and Christine Dickinson (36th: 107.21) all defied the elements to finish the course, Karen and Christine taking tenth and sixteenth place in the 040 category at an event which does not allow for categories covering 035 or 045. Results:

Liverpool Half Results

New Coaches:

Four club members have successfully completed the L1 coaching course held at Wade Deacon, Widnes, on Saturday March 1st. They are Ian Hayburn, Greg Williams, Ryan Fahey and Steve Clague. The next stage is for all four to be mentored (Ian by Phil Thomas, Greg by Ray Vose, Ryan by John Naylor and Steve by John Irwin) before moving on to L2 when appropriate. 

The previous weekend Natalie Mullineux completed the core section of her L2 course and will joining Sue Lowrie in December when she takes her event specific course in throws and while Sue takes sprints. Colin Sparks is completing his throws L2 in April.

For anyone interested in taking a L1 course one is scheduled to be held at Sutton in November. Full details are posted on the club notice board. All coaching information is available from the coaching coordinator Phil Thomas.

Full details of the coaching restructure for the young age groups, which is scheduled to take place shortly, have been circulated to all relevant coaches.