The Stockport 10

Stockport 10 winner Dave Norman receives his prize from Tony Audenshaw. This year's race had a record entry of over 700, providing a huge boost to club funds.

Whoever is shouting about global warming should pay a visit to Woodbank Park in early December.

With misty rain, temperature of 6°C and a severe chilling wind (within a short time of opening the Up and Running stall had sold out of gloves) thoughts were more for staying in bed and eating a Sunday cooked breakfast rather than braving the challenges of the now infamous Stockport 10 road race - but brave it they did, with a record entry of over 700 athletes from all corners of the UK and beyond.

This year's course despite being challenged by a record number of roadworks brought excellent times throughout the field - last year's winners were invited back to see if they could retain their titles.

Last year's male winner, Mike Aspinal from Lancaster and Morecambe, put up a brave fight finishing second to Dave Norman of Altrincham who clocked just under fifty one minutes in very windy conditions. First Stockport male and 10th overall was Mike Shaw in 57-26 beating his 2005 time by over a minute. Strong support for Dave Norman by his team mates from Altrincham (Paul Smith and David Alderson) secured team prize.

Making it two in a row Pauline Powell of Blackburn Harriers once again took the ladies' mantel with a strong run from start to finish, her time of 59-54 put her 20th overall, a very close second was Louise Gardner from Lancaster and Morecambe only 9 seconds adrift of the leader.

Stockport Ladies were led home by strong performances by Jenny Murray and Jenny Knass finishing just outside the 60 minute mark - the ladies won team prize, pipping Altrincham, with Stockport's third counter Sally Keigher also take the L35 award - who says she's just a Dizzy Blonde!

Equal interest was also given to the winner of the Golden Goody Bag - this went to to Barrie Ainscow of Dragon Sports who finished in 477th but is now £100 better off for doing so.

Not only has this year's race had a record entry it has also made a record profit for your club, an enormous thanks must go to all our sponsors, organisers, marshals and supporters without whom this event wouldn't only not be successful - it wouldn't even take place. Lets now look forward to a successful Offerton 10k and an even bigger and better Stockport 10 next year.

Ladies take Stockport 10 team award

Stockport 10 team winners; Jenny Knass,Jenny Murray and Sally Keigher

Report: Phil McCann

On a wet and dismal Sunday Morning the Stockport Harriers' 10 miler got under way and with a couple of laps of the track they were away. A group of men with Andy Norman, Michael Aspinall and Rick Hayman battled through the course to finish the top three.

Meanwhile the ladies' race was a little different with last years winner Pauline Powell was back to defend her title. We also had our top two ladies Jenny Murray and Jenny Knass both having finished second in the last two years. Also in there were a strong field from Altrincham along with another of Jenny Murray's rivals Louise Gardner of Lancaster.

After 4 miles the group was of 4 - Pauline, Louise and our two Jennys. Jenny Knass was the first to drop and had to let the group go. The three then were battling together up to the final 2 miles where the break was made on the New Zealand Road hill. First to go was Pauline Powell followed by Louise Gardner. Jenny Murray tried to respond but found that her lack of training since her injury was not enough. Still they battled on and nothing was definite. First into the stadium was Pauline to win in 59-54 her second successive win. Close behind her was Louise finishing 2nd only 9 seconds behind 1-00-09 with Jenny Murray 3rd a further 15 seconds behind to finish 1-00-24. Meanwhile Jenny Knass had consolidated her 4th place to finish 1-02-28.

But the race was still not over with the team prize up for grabs and a big contingent of Stockport Ladies battling away. Alison Sedman of Belle Vue was next to finish (1st V40) then Altrincham's Rachael Thompson, Vanessa Mullholand and Kath Harvey (1st V45). It was down to Stockport's Sally Keigher 1-10-40 (1st V35) to follow in and edge the team prize in Stockport ladies favour by 5 points.

Stockport ladies' performance team were as you expect performing well. Samantha Thomas 1-11-31 was close to her best even with the conditions. Alice Dagg 1-13-54 and Karen McCrackle 1-14-19 had worked together throughout Alice getting revenge for the last race they ran together. Next was Maryte Moore finishing with a personal best of 4 minutes in 1-16-47. Maryte has worked extremely hard along with Jenny Hopes, Jane Nyland, Vicky Buckley and Debra McCann. They have had a fantastic year since they joined the team. Toni McIntosh was next and would normally be well up the field but today helped her Sister around her first 10 miler. Then it was down to the Jenny Hopes 1-18-32 with a personal best and then Jane Lawton 1-19-32.

Vicky Buckley and Jane Nyland both with personal bests and a battle to the finish with a joint time of 1-19-37. Debra McCann was trying to catch them on the run in and was only 22 secs behind to finish 1-20-00. Meanwhile Maureen Wilkins endurance ladies were also not to be out done and what performances they had as well. First for the group was Helen Todd 1-21-10 and what can you say about her success this year but she always works hard. Ros Mann 1-22-24 who has run some fantastic endurance runs this year had to relinquish to Helen this time but what a battle. Marie Kay who is always there to run in events if need be ran well to finish 1-27-06 followed by Deborah Cox was running her 1st Stockport 10 finishing 1-28-18.

The next four ladies had personal bests with Maureen and Helen proving what can be achieved having been out of training for awhile. Jenny Day 1-28-32 battled with Maureen Wilkins 1-28-43 all the way to the finish a proud moment for Maureen. Kath Ward was close behind 1-29-03 but just couldn't catch them. Helen Beard was not to be outdone and knocked two minutes off her time to record 1-34-36.

A fantastic achievement for Maureen's coaching well done to her ! With 610 finishers it was another success for Stockport Harriers women runners hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. When you come back refreshed after your Christmas Turkey or Pudding. Its back to the New Year's training and on towards more success.

All the Best from Phil McCann and Maureen Wilkins the Ladies Endurance Coaches (devils in disguise!)

Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships

The Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships held at Bury on Saturday saw Andy Nixon retaining his Junior title.

Sarah Kay second in the under-17 and Richard Hindley taking bronze in the under-13s.

The under-17 men took second team and under-15 boys third team.

Palma-Calvia International 1/2m Mallorca

Report: Phil McCann

Jenny Murray had travelled out with her school to Mallorca for an overseas study trip. The Organisers had heard much of her from her invited school and they too invited her to take part in the event.

Unfortunately Jenny had a leg injury and was unsure whether she could run. Jenny apparently was built up in the news over there to be one of the 3 favourites to win the race. So on the day she decided she would give it a go and managed to get to 11 miles before she started to seize up. At this point she was in 2nd place with the winner a Kenyan 3 minutes ahead.

A Spanish lady passed her on the final stretch and Jenny came in 3rd in 1-21 41.

The organisers were so impressed with her commitment even with her injury that they have invited her back to their next event a 1/2 marathon in March. We are also awaiting another invite that may come for Jenny Knass to also go out and join her there.

Another success for Stockport Harriers' Ladies

Percy Pud 10k Sheffield

After 2 weeks recovery from her leg injury Jenny turned to run in the Percy Pud 10k in Sheffield, which is close to where she lives. Once again off little training Jenny won the women's race and was only 8 seconds off her personal best.

The course a rolling one she managed to drop the girl in 2nd place by 8k and strode on to win. Afterwards Jenny said she could have pushed on harder but didn't want to cause any reaction to my leg if there was any to come. Thankfully there wasn't and she is looking forward to the Stockport 10 miler.

Manchester Area Cross Country - Macclesfield

On a cold and windy Sunday afternoon Stockport ladies again battled through the mud. The course changed from previous years found a few more obstacles to test them.

A few who had run at the first two events were not available for this one but we had some more able to get some cross country running under there belts.

Estelle McGuire was up amongst the leaders on the first lap with Jenny Knass getting the feel of the course. Behind her was Toni McIntosh followed by Samantha Thomas, Vicky Barrett and Vicky Buckley.

They all battled away and by the 2nd lap Jenny had overtaken Estelle and was moving up the field. Toni and Samantha were having a battle which helped them move up the field too. Samantha overtook Toni so there was no leeway as Toni tried to battle back. However Vicky Barrett was close on their heels and was working hard as well which did not let them ease up.

Vicky Buckley on her first cross country this season was enjoying it even though she had taken a tumble in the mud in her warm-up! Another lady who was there was Janet Booker having a good run and also ran at Boggart Hole Clough.

Turn-out from the Club's juniors was a bit lower than usual due to the Greater Manchester Country Championships beingh held the following weekend. Meanwhile first home in the senior men's race with Steve Haylock finishing 16th and first V45 despite going the full 7 rounds in the previous evening's pub crawl.