14 May 2012

Heather Lewis (coach: Martin Bell) was in red hot form in unseasonable conditions at the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in Saransk, Russia (12-13 May).

The 10-strong Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland squad raced in temperatures of 30 degrees plus on a tough undulating course.

The intensity of the sun was a real challenge for the British girls in the junior 10km. However, Heather Lewis acclimatised extremely well to secure 23rd spot in a time of 50.38 – only 45 seconds outside her personal best. International debutants Tash Webster (Martin Bell) and Ellie Dooley (Andi Drake) found the conditions too much and both 16-year-olds did not finish the race, with Webster retiring through injury.

First up on day one was Jamie Higgins (Andi Drake) in the junior 10km. After a positive start, passing the 5km mark in 46th place, a shin problem forced the Leeds City athlete to retire.

The final race on day one was the men’s 20km with Tom Bosworth (Andi Drake), Alex Wright (Ray Hall) and Ben Wears (Jacinto Garzon), with the trio aiming for the UKA B standard time of 1:24.30. However, the soaring temperatures dashed their hopes of achieving this. Wright was the first Brit to cross the line in 54th – in a season’s best time of 1:26.38, with Bosworth and Wears finishing 72nd and 94th.

Twins Dominic King (Andi Drake) and Daniel King (Andi Drake) led the British charge on day two in the gruelling men’s 50km race. Dominic posted his second fastest ever time of 4:13.25 for 51st place ahead of Daniel who clocked a season’s best of 4:20.49 in 61st to move to second in the McCain Power of 10 Rankings.

2010 Commonwealth champion and UK record holder Johanna Jackson (Andi Drake) concluded the 2012 IAAF World Race Walking Cup in the women’s 20km. The Middlesbrough & Cleveland athlete, who was competing in her first major race since a knee operation in the winter, bettered her competition best of 45th to come home in 42nd spot. A season’s best time of 1:38.29 was enough to reach the summit of the McCain Power of 10 list.