10 March 2009 

Jo Jackson (Redcar RWC) broke yet another British Record in taking victory in the EAA Permit Meeting, Gran Prenio Citta di Lugano. 

In perfect conditions on the flat picturesque lakeside course Jackson competing for Team England, set the early pace alongside Russian Olga Povalyanyeva. Just before 5km Povalyanyeva began to pull away passing 5km in 22.32 to Jackson’s 22.42, however, a storming last 4.12 kilometre saw Jackson storm past the Russian to take victory to set a new British Record of 1.31.16 removing the 1.31.33 she set in Beijing from the record.

Jackson’s victory also puts her top of the IAAF Race Walking Challenge standings on 8 points. Jackson said:  

"I am pleased with the win, but disappointed with the time as I was forced to hold back once I received my second card just before 8km". 

Jackson is now a second away from the A standard required for the World Championships in Berlin this year.  

Jackson’s performance was the highlight for an excellent day for British race walking. In the Junior Men’s 10 Kilometres Ben Wears took over a minute for his personal best in finishing 2nd place in 43.11 to German Carl Dohmman (42.49). Behind him Mark O’Kane (Coventry Godiva Harriers) smashed his personal best in to record 44.53 in 5th place. He was followed up by Tom Bosworth (Tonbridge AC) who removed almost 3 minutes from his personal best in clocking 45.29 in 8th. They were followed by Alex Wright (Belgrave Harriers) 46.27. All 4 were well inside the UKA guideline time for the European Cup of 47.00. 

Team England were represented by the Colchester Harriers trio of Dominic King, Luke Finch and Daniel King in the senior men’s 20km. Daniel set the early pace amongst the trio, but Dominic passed 5km in 21.33 ahead of twin brother Daniel 21.38 and Luke Finch in his first international race since his comeback to the event last year. By the halfway mark Dominic was still leading the trio in 43.30, whilst Daniel was just behind in 43.41 and Finch 43.51. In the second half despite tiring over the last few laps Dominic hung on to record his fastest time since 2003 clocking 1.28.33 (for 10th place) to go to the top of the Power of 10 Rankings for 2009. Finch passed Daniel King with 5km left to record a huge new personal best of 1.28.38 in 11th and Daniel bought the team home in 1.28.51. Team England were 2nd to Belarus in the team event.