Kevin Loundes wrote his name into Isle of Man athletics history at a very wet Crossags Farm in Ramsey on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Manx Harriers man, who won two individual gold medals at last year’s NatWest Island Games in Bermuda, became the first athlete to win four consecutive senior men’s Isle of Man Cross Country Championships with a start-to-finish victory.
It was his fifth title in all, as he was also the champion in 2009. Graham Clarke, Andy Fox and John Halligan have previously won three successive titles.
Although not absolutely at his best following a recent injury concern, Loundes was never seriously challenged although Lloyd Taggart and Alan Corlett both kept him within range in the first half of the race.
Champion fell runner Taggart, 44, showed what a terrific athlete he is by pulling away from his younger rival on the final lap to take an excellent second place 38 seconds in arrears of the champion and 22s ahead of Corlett. Andy Barron battled hard throughout to take fourth place.
Lancashire champion Rachael Franklin won her second successive senior women’s title with an assured and classy display, and the 22-year-old looks set to dominate this event for many years to come.
Top veteran athlete Gail Griffiths was tracked closely by Rebecca Wallace on the first lap, before stretching away from her Island Games team-mate to take second place by a 52-second margin.
There was an excellent debut from Island Games footballer Eleanor Gawne, who finished sixth.
Jason Moore made a great comeback from long-term injury problems with a victory over Stephen Garrett in the junior men’s race. Jason’s twin brother Shaun, likewise returning from a long layoff, easily won the non-championship short course race.
Katie Astin was the clear winner of the under-17 women’s race in which triathlete Rebecca Storrie ran really well to take second place. Fellow triathlete Joseph Ricciardi took the men’s title.
David Mullarkey and Laura Dickinson took the under-15 honours, David being pushed hard in the first half of the race by Conor Davies who is concentrating more on cycling these days.
The under-13 boys title was won in fine style by the very promising James Strickett. It was a shame that his closest challenger, Rhys Owen, had to retire from the race feeling unwell.
Four extremely talented athletes went head-to-head in the under-13 girls race. Jessica Hill and Lorna Spiers ran practically in tandem throughout, before the much taller Jessica managed to pull clear in the final sprint. Isabella Barnes took the bronze ahead of Angela Aumonier.
TJ Phair and Lydia Morris continued their domination of the under-11 age group this season with excellent victories, but Ieuan Owen, Jake Robertshaw and Corrin Leeming were all superb in the boys’ race.
Oliver Sykes took the under-nine boys title with a brilliant run to beat Michael Webber who had won the previous three rounds. Mairi Harrison, daughter of former Island Games champion Julie (nee Moore), took a great win in the under-nine girls ahead of Lucy Corlett.
It was one of the best cross country championships ever held despite the testing underfoot conditions, and grateful thanks go to Northern AC and all the officials and athletes for making it such a terrific event.
l The final round of the league series takes place at Ballannette, Lonan, on Sunday, February 9. Further details are on the cross-country page at www.iomaa.info