Cold blustery conditions greeted the eleven thousand athletes at the 28th Adidas Dublin marathon on Ireland’s bank holiday Monday morning.
This didn’t affect Stockport Harriers’ Jenny Knass in her ambition to break the three hour barrier.
Jenny cruised home for a new best at the distance by over eight minutes in 2-50-56, the Heaton Moor based runner finished tenth female in a strong international field won by Russian Larissa Zouska.
In the mini marathon 14-year-old Jack Nixon won the race in style from Irish athlete Rory McGlynn.
Jack was presented with his winner’s medal from Irish running legend Eamon Coghlan.
Three wins at Manchester Area Cross series
Reports: Dave Turnbull & Maureen Wilkins - 2/11/08
GB cross country international Steve Vernon opened up his cross country season in style over a muddy six mile Heaton park course on Saturday.
Steve, of the Harriers’ Lloyds TSB endurance training squad based at Woodbank Stadium won the first of the Manchester Area Cross races after opening up a lead at the end of the first lap.
He held onto the lead to win in a time of 32-57 at the finish by over thirty eight seconds ahead of Altrincham AC’s Matt Smith.
He was followed home by his squad team mates Andy Nixon in 10th and Jamie Loxam 11th
Michael Cooke also got his cross campaign off with a win in the junior men’s under-20 race winning in 36-23 over half a minute clear of Altrincham’s Rob Nicholl.
Bryony Pearce didn’t wait for her rivals as she stormed away from start to finish in the under-17 women’s race to win comfortably in 16-14 from Amelia Pettit of Vale Royal second in 17-20 and Warrington’s Sarah Griffiths 3rd in 17-45.
In the under-17 men’s race Jack Morris finished third.
The rain never stopped at Heaton park on Saturday morning, but we had a great turnout for those harden athletes who worked endlessly trudging through mud and climbing hills with some great effort.
We had some first timers in the senior ladies; Sarah Aylmer who shown some great work and Emma Hampson, who was quite nervous, but once she set off she was well into her race,.
The children were amazing and they shown us seniors some real camaraderie, the work and effort they put in was remarkable, I'm sure they will be are future Olympians.
As for the men's race, where did they all come from, over 200 and so many Stockport men in the line up.
It was quite enjoyable to watch the men scrambling up the hill, slipping and sliding (well Tim Edwards!).
All-in-all it was a great turnout considering the weather. Stockport showed some great support to each other and working together as a club - well done to you all!
Maureen