Dave Evans reports:

The presence of a trio of youngsters new to race walking gave today’s event a lift and straddled almost 70 years of experience. The debutantes were keen to go for it and each of them exemplified the benefit of being advised by one of the country’s very best race walkers . They walked the lesser distances of 1 and 2k with some style.

The main event, the Dick Smith 10k, saw Tony Bell setting the standard with septuagenarian Roy Gunnett in his wake but managing to stay very much in touch till at least halfway. Octogenarian , Glyn Jones, still recovering from a chest infection, walked with great endeavour and was rewarded for his concentrated efforts with a fine 33 minutes 10 secs having declared in advance that he would contest this shorter distance of 5k.

Andrea Lennon continues to defy her age and Pat Evans continued to show how consistent she is deciding after an hour’s walking that she would save her best for another day.

Scratch {RWA24008/1}

1. Tony Bell 66 mins 23
2. Roy Gunnett 68 mins 10
3. Phil McCullagh 76 mins 41
4. Joe Hardy 76 mins 47
5. John Crahan 76 mins 47
6. Ian Hilditch 79 mins 15
7. Dave Hoben 80 mins 05
8. Pat Evans 62 mins 14 (8k)
9. Glyn Jones 33 mins 10(5k)
10. Andrea Lennon 39 mins 53(5k)

Young Athletes 1k

1. Maisie 5 mins 34
2. Aneka 6 mins 01
   

Young Athletes 2k

1, Sophie 12 mins 47

Handicap

1. Roy Gunnett 64 mins 40
2. Phil McCullagh 65 mins 41
3. Tony Bell 66 mins 23
4. Ian Hilditch 66 mins 35
5. Joe Hardy 66 mins 47
6. John Crahan 67 mins 36
7. Dave Hoben 68 mins 35
8. Pat Evans
9. Glyn Jones
10. Andrea Lennon

Thanks to Dave Evans for taking the photos whilst otherwise detained