Church to Church Walk 2011. Report & photos by Paul Jackson:-

Isle of Man walkers with former Commonwealth Games walker & race organiser Rob Elliott (Sarnia WC)

Isle of Man Veteran Athletes' Club racewalkers took top honours in the Guernsey Church to Church Walk on Sunday 4th September. There was local glory for Stuart Le Noury of event organisers Sarnia Walking Club as he covered the 19.4 miles and all parish churches en route to win the historic annual classic road walk at his 7th attempt in a personal best time of 3hrs 05min 54sec. Top Parish Walk duo Jock Waddington and Vinny Lynch joined forces early on to challenge Le Noury's early lead which had extended to four and a half minutes at the half way stage. Despite the Sarnian fading over the closing miles, the pursuing Manx walkers were forced to settle for joint second place at the finish on South Esplanade, St Peter Port in a time of 3.06.43, and six minutes ahead of second local finisher Phil Lockwood in 4th place. In the women's race, last year’s winner Marie Jackson overhauled early leader and course record holder Cath Duhig of Ryston Runners at the 4 mile stage steadily increasing her advantage as the race progressed to retain the women's title in a new age group course record time of 3.21.25. Jackson's overall 5th place helped to secure the Fletchersports Team Shield award for the IoM Vets together with joint race runners-up Waddington and Lynch who also won the top Veteran 40 and Veteran 50 men’s awards respectively. Unfortunately Parish Walk record holder Sean Hands was forced to retire at the ten mile stage due to injury.

Leading finishers: 1, Stuart Le Noury (Sarnia Walking Club) 3hrs 05min 54sec; 2=, Vinny Lynch (IoM Veteran Athletes' Club) 3.06.43; 2=, Jock Waddington (IoM Vets) 3.06.43; 4, Phil Lockwood (Sarnia WC) 3.12.51; 5, Marie Jackson (IoM Vets) 3.21.25; 6, Cath Duhig (Ryston Runners) 3.27.20. Full results and photos at http://churchtochurch.wordpress.com/

Team Award / Shield being presented to Vinny, Marie and Jock.