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Weekly News Reports
12th December - 18th December 2011
Race Walking weekly update: 12th December - 18th December 2011
It may be mid-December, with short cold days and long dark nights - but well over a hundred walkers raced at the weekend, in various seasonal and unusual races...!
On Saturday there were Christmas races in both the Midlands and the South. The Birchfield Christmas Yacht Handicap was held on the track at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, and a couple of new walkers appeared. All enjoyed themselves with walkers being set off at different times and having to chase hard, getting fast times. Mince pies and Christmas presents afterwards, plus Tracey Mills won the turkey...
Meanwhile, down in Selsdon, Surrey, there were a record number of entries in the long held Surrey Walking Club Christmas Cup 5km race - where Mark Easton just managed to beat Francisco Reis, impressing everyone with the way he always stays so fit.
On Sunday, Sarnia Walking Club held their unique race - the Hill Climb, a heart pounding 815 metre race walk up a steep hill. Also, Leicester Walking Club also had their club 10km Championship for the Fortune Cup.
Up on the Isle of Man they again managed to turn out nearly 50 walkers at their Winter League, with some impressive performances in the handicapped walk.
Also taking place last week was the popular 2km Chris Smith League, which helps to promote the development of younger walkers.
So what else has been going on the world of race walking this last week? Quite a lot, it turns out!
Congratulations to Ed Shillabeer who was honoured at a formal celebrity dinner. He was announced as the City of Plymouths Amateur Sportsman-of-the-Year, and his award was presented by Olympian Sally Gunnell. Sally gained fame for 400 metres, while Ed does 50,000 and beyond...
Popular French walker Emmanuel Tardi was in Malaysia to participate in their 12 hour walk, and entertained us all with his holiday snaps - including swimming in a pool located on top of his skyscraper hotel.
The Race Walking Association held their Annual General Meeting on Sunday at Alexander Stadium, and about 35 people turned up to fill the room. Roy Thorpe and Ann Perry were both elected as Life Members of the RWA, an honour achieved by few people. Elections were also held for various positions, and various things were discussed to help progress and develop race walking in the UK. 2012 looks like it will be an extremely busy schedule. 2013 and beyond are already being planned.
Entries have now opened for the Parish Walk - to be held on the Isle of Man on 23rd June 2012 - and have already reached nearly 100! This is undoubtedly the biggest annual walking event in the UK, now with around 1,700 people each year walking up to 85 miles. I will be going, and hope to do the full distance - just to try and get one of the impressive engraved glass trophies presented to each finisher... Everyone is made welcome by the Manx people, and the atmosphere is truly unbelievable. More details at their website: http://www.parishwalk.com/
The biggest race walking news comes from Australia, where six individuals in one day beat the Olympic A qualifying times in their Championships. They now have five A qualified 50k Men, and four A qualified 20k Women. Youve got to feel sorry for those elite walkers who did the hard work but wont make the maximum teams of three allowed from each country for each event. Walkers wanting to emmigrate to the UK will be made welcome!
Anyway, its still not too late to have fun and get another race in before Christmas...
On Saturday (17th) you have the choice between Steyning ACs Alf Palmer Memorial Track Walks - 5km, 11am at Broadbridge Heath, Horsham - or the Ilford AC Open Walks, 5 miles at 1pm at the Redbridge Cycle Circuit, Hainault. Both race meetings are popular and could see some fast times set. Sunday will also have a 3 mile race on Guernsey.
Its your last chance to catch up with other walkers before Christmas. Enjoy the festive season...
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