TWICE former Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year, Jess Petersson, has a more than decent chance of grabbing a late qualification spot for Olympic Games selection if she can produce a fast time in the 32nd Virgin London Marathon this Sunday.
Jess, whose background is in ultra-distance triathlon events, has produced some extraordinarily good distance running in recent years - including a 1hr 13min 26sec half-marathon in Bath last month.
Her personal best for a marathon of 2hr 42min was set at Berlin in 2005 when she was still very much into multi-discipline events. Quite frankly, she is capable of demolishing that time and getting close to, or even bettering, the UK Athletics consideration standard of 2hr 31min.
The snag is, with Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi already confirmed as running the Olympic marathon for Great Britain in London this July it leaves only one team place, plus a reserve spot, vacant. With runners like Liz Yelling, Jo Pavey, Claire Hallissey, Susan Partridge, Louise Damen and even ex-model Nell McAndrew in the mix the odds are stacked against Jess qualifying for GB.
But, the fact that she has changed her club team for the event from UK-based Stragglers Running Club to Aarhus 1900 of Denmark may suggest that she is instead attempting to qualify for her country of birth. Watch this space.
It is also a fair assumption that Jess will be the fastest Manx/Isle of Man resident in this weekend’s event.
Mike Garrett of Manx Harriers should be the fastest local male by quite some way. He has been setting personal best times through the winter and, aged 42, has benefitted from a two-year marathon break.
Gianni Epifani, 40, is making his debut at the 26.2-mile distance and is well capable of a fast time. He is aiming for a sub-three hour performance but is capable of a lot quicker, however, he will have to be careful not to go off too hard.
Nigel Armstrong lost ground through injury (a fall in the Baldwin fell race in which he suffered a couple of cracked ribs). Paul Curphey is in his best shape for years and will go back under three hours. Andy Watson should go sub-three, while Jim MacGregor is in great form.
Murray Lambden is aiming for 2:50 and top three over-55, which would be a superb result.
Mark Clague, 3FM DJ Adam Russell and Ramsey Town Commissioner Richard Radcliffe are all likely three-hour men, plus possibly Tim Knott and Paul Cubbon.
Radcliffe and Curphey are running their 19th London, Ian Callister his 22nd.
One surprise package could be double former Superbike World Champion James Toseland who, although not an experienced long-distance runner, is a very fit guy and well capable of a low three-hour time.
Tim Crookall MHK, the Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, is tackling his first marathon. More than half of the 47 named below are making their London debuts.
Oldest of the local contingent is Andreas man Henry de Silva. The 76-year-old retired physical education teacher was recently announced as an Olympic torch bearer.
Husband and wife, Julian and Louise Thomas, have both run the event previously, but not in same year.
The list of Manx born or resident entries compiled by Murray Lambden of manxathletics.com is as follows: Adam Russell; Adrian Shorthouse; Alan Sandford; Andy Watson; Barry Moore; Bruce Wagstaff; Caroline Moran; Clare Ledger; Daniel Roberts; Dominic Winrow; Emma Rogan; Eugene Wilson; Gianni Epifani; Helen Taylor; Henry de Silva; Ian Callister; Ian Piley; James Graham; James Moffett; James Toseland; Jess Petersson; Jim MacGregor; Julian Thomas; Kath Ashton; Keith Green; Kevin Quirk; Kim Hicklin; Louise Thomas; Mark Clague; Mark Peberdy; Mark Spiers; Mike Garrett; Murray Lambden; Neil Cushing; Nigel Armstrong; Paul Cubbon; Paul Curphey; Rebekah Pate; Richard Radcliffe; Rob Gillanders; Roy Faragher; Sam Comaish-Coole; Sarah Curphey; Sharon Cheeseman; Tadhg O’Mahoney; Tim Crookall; Tim Knott.
If you know of any other runners that qualify for inclusion please email john.watterson@newsiom.co.im or murray@manxathletics.com