5 days to go...

On reflection, I wish I hadn’t promised to speculate on who may go well in this winter’s series – for the simple reason that I have absolutely no idea who is intending to take part in cross country this winter! Nor do I know which age categories many of the young athletes are going to be in this season. So as a starting point, here is a list of last season’s Manx Gas Cross Challenge champions:

Manx Gas Cross Challenge champions 2006/07

Senior/Vet Men – John Halligan
Junior Men – Andrew Newton
Under 17 Boys – Ryan Fairclough
Under 15 Boys – Conor Delanbanque
Under 13 Boys – Jack Garrett
Under 11 Boys – Shaun Moore
Under 9 Boys – Will Morris

Senior/Vet Ladies – Sarah Nelson & Gail Griffiths (tie)
Junior Ladies – N/A
Under 17 Girls – N/A
Under 15 Girls – Gemma Astin
Under 13 Girls – Sarah Astin
Under 11 Girls – Alice Ashe
Under 9 Girls – Katie Astin

Short Course – Barry Moore

As far as the senior athletes are concerned, it may well be ‘more of the same’ this year. If John Halligan completes the series it is hard to see anyone beating him, although several may put him under more pressure than in recent seasons. Ed Gumbley, Kevin Loundes, Darren Gray, Andy Fox, Tony Okell, Paul Sheard, Simon Skillicorn, Nigel Armstrong, Mike Garrett, Andy Cannell, Paul Clarke, Steve Partington, Gianni Epifani, Tom Cringle, Russell Collister – all of these (and no doubt others too!) are capable of mounting a strong challenge if they opt for the fun and the mud of cross country this winter. Of all the names mentioned, I think Simon Skillicorn is perhaps the most likely to challenge John after enjoying another superb year on the fells.

Sarah Nelson and Gail Griffiths shared the ladies title last year with 3 wins apiece and are likely to continue their close rivalry this winter. With Samantha Cowen having left the island and Dawn Yates not doing much running at present, any serious challenge to these two would probably have to come from new or returning competitors – perhaps one of the Island Games triathletes, or Cal Partington if she returns to cross country this season.

The junior classes are even harder to predict as there are likely to be lots of new faces and many of last year’s competitors will have moved up an age group. Several of last year’s cross country runners enjoyed a tremendous season on the track and it will be interesting to see if the likes of Ryan Fairclough, Tom Richmond, Conor Delanbanque, Gemma Astin and Rachael Franklin can go as well on the mud as they went on the track this summer. It will also be great to see Sarah Astin back in racing action for the first time since April after an injury completely ruined her summer season.

Last year, there was a tremendous turn-out for the first round at Nobles Park, with no fewer than 150 taking part in all categories. Let’s hope for an equally good attendance this time! There is always great enthusiasm in the younger age groups with lots of families getting involved in the fun.

Don’t forget to download your entry form from http://www.manxathletics.com/manxharriers/MGXCENTRY.PDF

More in a couple of days…