6 September 2008

Olympian Jo Jackson (Redcar RWC) returned to action following her British Record in Beijing by dominating the UK/RWA 10km and UK Race Walk Challenge Final on Saturday.

Jackson in her last competitive outing of the season dominated the proceedings in the women’s race from the start clocking 45.20 in windy and wet conditions. The win was also enough to clinch the UK Challenge for 2008. Jackson passed the 5km point in 22.31 as she finished 4^th overall in the race.

She said “That was hard today, it has been tough since Beijing to keep the training going with everything else going on! I am looking forward to a well earned rest now!” Junior Chelsea O’Rawe Hobbs (Blackheath) took 2^nd place in 56.32 just ahead of Dianne Bradley (Tonbridge).

In the men’s race Daniel King (Colchester Harriers) set the early pace on the fist of the 6 laps with his twin brother Dominic alongside him. Daniel soon pulled well clear of his brother and went through half way in 21.30. Behind him Dominic was being closed down by junior Ben Wears (Redcar RWC) and Irishman Brendan Boyce (Coventry Godiva Harriers).

Boyce moved ahead of Wears in the second half as they passed Dominic King shortly before he was disqualified. Daniel King maintained his lead to come home in 43.52 ahead of the closing Boyce who set a new personal best in 44.26. Wears came home in 3^rd place in 45.05, ahead of Luke Finch (Colchester Harriers) who made a welcome return to competitive action after a 2 year gap, taking 3^rd place in the RWA Champs in 46.23. The second Junior was Mark O’Kane (Coventry Godiva Harriers) in 47.51 for 6^th.

King’s victory secured the UK Race Walk Challenge title. In the battle for the minor placings, Scott Davies (Ilford AC) crucially finished in 5^th (46.27) ahead of Mark William’s (Tamworth AC) 48.30.