Steve Edmunds, a loyal club member since the 1960's who was awarded the club's highest honour of Life Membership in 2015, died this recently following a very short illness. Steve held the club's Marathon record of 2:15.24 for 42 years until MATT BOND broke it in the 2016 London Marathon. Steve was an active club member, on the list to help marshal the final Sizzler 5k in two weeks after he returned from holiday. Deepest condolences to all those within the club who knew Steve a near lifetime and were very much a part of his life and, of course the club's deepest condolences to his grieving family.

Steve Edmunds joined Sale Harriers in 1959 aged 12 and was coached by club legend Alan Robertshaw and Alan’s father (Mr Robbo). Training in those days was from the Rackhouse Community Centre near Wythenshawe Park and sessions often consisted of 3 x 1 mile on the road and a four mile run on Thursdays. Sunday runs were often along the Bridgewater Canal from the old sewerage pumping station in Sale.

Steve competed for Sale Harriers from 1959 to 2005, from boys through to the veterans. Between 1962 and 67 he was on winning teams for boys, youths and juniors in the East Lancs Championships and the Northern and National Cross Country Championships.

Between 1967 and 78 he regularly represented the club in National track and field leagues and Pye Cups, doing the 5000m and 10,000m and was a regular on Northern and National relay teams. His 5k and 10k pbs were 14:16 and 29:17 respectively.

Between 1967 and 2000 Steve regularly represented Sale Harriers in road races from Newcastle upon Tyne to Torquay. He was on the team which won the 1969 Cardiff to Caernarvon relay, setting a new 200mile record of 14:3.50. In 1971 he was on the clubs 10 man team which broke the 24 hour track relay world record and the following year his team broke the record again covering over 293 miles in 24 hours.

In 1973 with Dave Farmer and Norman Carrington, he was on the winning Maxol Marathon team when he ran his pb of 2:15:24 which stood for 42 years. He allegedly covered the last 2k faster than any other British runner. Said Steve of those years, “Alan Robertshaw instilled into us all how very important it was that a commitment to run for the club in team events was a must and I believe that that was the reason that the club was so successful in those days”.

Since 1996 Steve’s main club involvement has been a very willing and valuable club marshal. He was part of the marshalling team for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. His loyalty, commitment and availability to Sale Harriers for over 50 years were exemplary and inspirational.

At a recent club race, the Sale Sizzler, a minutes silence was held in his honour.

His funeral will be held at Manchester Crematorium, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 7GZ at 2pm on the 15th of August 2023. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Ann's Hospice, Heald Green.Donate Here.

Afterwards family and friends are invited to Northenden Golf Club, Palatine Road, Northenden, M22 4FR.

Life member Steve Edmunds

Pete Shaw

Torrential rain at Bebington on The Wirral meant the meeting was abandoned after 43 of the 58 events had been completed.

LIAM O'BRIEN was our star in the U15 events winning both the 300m and Hurdles. ALFIE DICKS was runner up in the 100m with a Level 9 performance of 11.8 seconds. DANNY OAKES took part in three events.

One week after winning the England schools title IMOGEN HILL won the U15 girls 800m with her trademark sprint finish to remain unbeaten this season. ROXY Mc HUGH ran very well to finish runner-up over 200m as did LOLA RICHARDSON over 800m. A special mention to NIAMH COPE who, having raced a hilly 5k Parkrun then received notification she was needed at Bebington where she competed in three events in borrowed spikes.

In the U13 boys events DANIEL WELLS won the shot whilst primary aged LENNY ALVES was runner-up in the hurdles. LEO OGEBIDIE competed in three events and was particularly impressive in the sprints.

In the U13 girl's events ROBYN HEYWOOD-YOUNG had a great run to win the 800m with a level 9 performance whilst GRACE HILL ran a PB to finish runner-up. EVA ANWYL for the 3^rd match in a row was the only athlete from any club to achieve the highest Level 9 performance in three events (sprints and hurdles).

LILY VALENTINE had two sprint victories for the 3^rd match in a row whilst multi-eventer ANNABEL LAMA competed in three events, finishing runner-up in the Shot and Hurdles.

Sale Harriers Manchester finished 5^th out of six teams. A massive thanks to team manager CARL WORTHINGTON and the club officials who attended. Many of them got extremely wet in the deluge that accompanied the thunder and lightning curtailing events in the afternoon.

THE WEEKEND THAT WAS

UK ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sale Harriers were, as ever, among Britain's best at the weekend's UK Senior Championships at Sportcity.

LAZARUS BENJAMIN added the Pole Vault silver to his bronze medal last year. From his recent England championship title, he's ready for take-off for the U20 European Championship in August.

KIRSTY LAW retained the silver medal she won last year. She wrote on social media “I'm so happy to take the silver with a seasons best 57.30.This one means a lot. If this season has taught me anything, it's to have fun and enjoy what you do. This season has been tough for a number of reasons, and I'm so grateful for the love and support from my family friends and Coach”. Kirsty was the British Discus Champion in 2020 and is a multi Discus medallist over the years.

JONA EFOLOKO won the 200m bronze with a 20.45 PB. Readers will know that the club's Olympian last year won European and Commonwealth Gold and World Championship bronze in the 4 x 100 metres relays.

SEUN OKOME leapt to a personal best of 15.93m (+2.0) in round six to secure his British bronze triple jump medal and he adds it to last year's bronze.

GABRIELLE GARBER, the club's 2nd claim High Jumper and the UK's No.1 in the U20 rankings, won the bronze medal with a PB and European qualifying standard of 1.81m.

There were several of the club's very talented youngsters with great futures who gained invaluable experience in this major cauldron. Some even produced PB's. Of special note....

• U20 SUCCESS EDUAN recorded a 200m PB of 23.20 to rank 2nd in her U20 age-group in Europe. Her time is also a club record beating Sale Harrier's very own SHAUNNA THOMPSON's 15 year old 200m record of 23.42 set in 2008 at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India.
• RACHEL BENNETT, new to Sale Harriers, recorded a 200m PB of 23.66 to now rank 3rd nationally in her U23 age group.
• U20 FREYA DOCKERTY recorded a 100m Hurdles PB of 13.99.
• U23 EWAN BRADLEY dipped under 14m for the 1st time in the 110m Hurdles to record a PB of 13.99 to rank 4th in the UK.
• SHAUNNA THOMPSON recorded her best ever position in the Shot in this Championship. As in February's UK Indoor Championships she just missed out on bronze in 4th place.
• There were several more of the club's talented youngsters with great futures who gained invaluable experience in this major, intimidating cauldron. Some even produced PB's. Of special note....
• U20 SUCCESS EDUAN recorded a 200m PB of 23.20 to rank 2nd in her U20 age-group in Europe. Her time is also a club record beating Sale Harrier's very own SHAUNNA THOMPSON's 15 year old 200m record of 23.42 set in 2008 at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India.
• RACHEL BENNETT, new to Sale Harriers, recorded a 200m PB of 23.66 to now rank 3rd nationally in her U23 age group.
• U20 FREYA DOCKERTY recorded a 100m Hurdles PB of 13.99.
• U23 EWAN BRADLEY dipped under 14m for the 1st time in the 110m Hurdles to record a PB of 13.99 to rank 4th in the UK.
• Then there were TESS Mc HUGH (400m), MAX WHARTON (1500m), MEGAN DAVIES (1500m), JESS SPILSBURY (1500m), HERMIONE MASON (400m Hurdles), HANNAH BLOOD (Hammer), SOPHIE ASHURST (Pole Vault), Olympian ABIGAIL IROZURU (Long Jump) REYNOLD BANIJO (Long Jump), NICHOLAS WALSH (100m) and MARCUS Mc CLEAN (100m).

SIZZLER 2

Among the 28 Harriers who participated in the 2nd club promotion of the 4 x 5k Sizzler series, those with good reason to celebrate were:-

• FINLAY GODDARD who was again 1st U20 and JACKIE CORDINGLEY again 1st L60
• KATHY WELLAM who ran her fastest 5k since 2016.
• WAYNE SHAW (19.08) who improved his PB by 5 seconds, SOPHIE ARMITAGE (20.57) who improved by 23 seconds; DMITRY ROZHDESTVENSKIY (21.37) by 34 seconds, DEBBIE Mc EVOY(24.14) by16 seconds and M70 GEOFF BEATTIE (25.36) who improved 40 seconds on his 1stSizzler
• MARCUS NICHOLSON (16.20), BARNABY GORDON (19.06), LUCY COOKE (19.30), HEATHER LENNOX (26.51) and LISA WORMLEIGHTON (26.56) all made their 5k debuts.
• The encouraging turn-out of a new generation of volunteers to take this important club promotion into the future is applauded.

WILMSLOW SUMMER 10k

The Wilmslow Summer 10k is the North-West's super fast, popular course with 2,500 finishers this year. Thirty green-hooped vest were among them in pursuit of fast times and lifetime best performances. Most of the club's 30 runners had every reason to celebrate.

They drank from the elixir of a PB

KEN HUNT (32.24): A 15 second PB on his Manchester 10k

STEVEN HENDERSON (34.16): A 9 second PB on 2022 Lytham 10k

CHRIS MILES (35.52): A 38 second PB on Trafford 10k

JON SMALLEY (36.12): A 14 second PB on 2021 Wilmslow Festive 10k

JON TERRY (37.02): A 18 second PB on last year's race

CHRIS WEBB (44.19): A 12 second PB on last year's Trafford 10k

DEBBIE Mc EVOY (50.44): A 35 second PB on last year's race

CHRIS TAIT (37.19): Debut 10k

BARNABY GORDAN (39.36): Debut 10k

HEATHER LENNOX: (57.45) Debut 10k

It was their best of 2023 (so far!)

PAUL PETERS (32.34)

TOM STEPHENSON (33.36)

JASON BOWERS (36.44)

DUANE CORDINGLEY-GAUNT (39.15)

ALISTAIR KELL (39.28)

KATHERINE BARKER (44.11)

JOHN MORRIS (43.58)

FRANK CORDINGLEY (47.16)

HELEN REAGAN (57.38)

JACKIE CORDINGLEY (44.51) was 2nd L60 and JOHN ARCHER (49.36) was 3rd M70

Full results

THE WEEK'S NEWS 4th July 2023

THEA BROWN FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES

It's official! THEA BROWN is selected to represent GB & N1 at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad & Tobago between August 4th – 11th. She'll compete in the 100m Hurdles, High Jump and 4 x 100m mixed relay. This is Thea's finest hour in her burgeoning career and a great tribute to her immense talent, her coaches including Sale's DAVE LOWE and to her family and training groups.

OLIVIA GREEN'S DAY TO REMEMBER

Another whose finest hour it is is OLIVIA GREEN. Competing for Team GB in the Modern Pentathlon at the European Games in Krakow, Poland, she won brilliant bronze, her first senior individual medal. In a scintillating and very hard-fought final she came away with not just with the bronze medal but was the top Brit and a qualification spot for the Olympic Games. Most pleasing of all was the final event, the run-shoot when, after starting in 11th she ran up to 2nd, with her total run time being the fastest of the day. Her running honed as a Sale Harrier, won her the podium place! She also helped the GB team to secure three team medals. (NB. Though she's qualified for the Olympics she's not yet guaranteed a place. If more than 2 British athletes qualify for the Games, then the decision as to who will be going will be made next year....so fingers crossed). Her boyfriend, Olympic and World champion Joe Choong also won silver and hopefully both have punched their tickets to Paris. Olivia is based at the University Of Bath Centre Of Excellence with the GB Pentathlon team.

OONAGH IS EUROPEAN BIATHLE CHAMPION

OONAGH Mc MANUS became the U15 European Biathlon Champion. At the championships in Erding, Munich she raced superbly with a very strong first 800m run and entered the lake in 1st place. Her swim was awesome gaining about 10 metres on 2nd place and in her 2nd run she opened up a 50 meter gap to comfortably win and be crowned U15 European Champion.

In the run up to the Championship, she'd won her first Triathlon in Lytham St Anne’s and qualified for the NW team to compete at the National championships at Mallory Park in September

ENGLAND SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS

Every school-aged athlete's sporting pinnacle are the ESAA English Schools championships. Known as the 'Kid's Olympics', this year they were held at the Alexander Stadium Birmingham . We don't yet know who all the successful Sale athletics are since the official results are not yet available. As soon as they are we'll be applauding them from the rooftops. However we do know of some who've been very successful and BIG congratulations not just to them but to their coaches and very proud parents. IMOGEN HILL became the English Schools Junior Girls 800m Champion, GABRIELLE GARBER became the senior High Jump Champion, improving on last year's bronze medal. HERMIONE MASON retained her senior girls 400m Hurdles silver medal and JASMINE RICHARDSON retained her senior bronze medal in the hammer and FREYA DOCKERTY also won senior bronze in the 100m Hurdles. Well done to their top-class coaches KAREN HILL & PETE SHAW, JESS TAYLOR-JEMMETT, ALEX WORT and LEE DOYLE.

A SAVAGE PB

Two weeks after winning bronze at the England U20 Championships ELLIOT SAVAGE again dipped under fifty seconds for 800m at the BMC meeting in Watford recording a great new PB of 1:49 46 that now ranks him 4th nationally. (He would have become the England Champion with this time).Elliot is coached at Wythenshawe by NORMAN POOLE.

CHRIS FIELDS NORTHERN IRELAND BRONZE

CHRIS FIELDING made a really worthwhile return to his Northern Ireland homeland for the N I & Ulster Senior Championship. Arguably his proudest achievement to date, he became the NI 5000m bronze medallist with a PB of 14.45.22. Chris is his first year with Sale Harriers.

LADIES SMASH WELSH CASTLES

A few weeks after the endurance section's Welsh Castles Relay – the 2 day, 20 stage, 209 mile relay the length of Wales from Caernarfon to Cardiff and arguably the biggest event in the Endurance Section's calendar, a full report and the club's women clinching a magnificent 2^nd place is now on the club's website.

NORTHERN LEAGUE DISAPPOINTMENT

The weekend's disappointment was the club lowly 2nd to last in its penultimate Northern League match at Blackburn. The result has nothing whatsoever to do with those club stalwarts who ran, jumped, threw and hurdled their hearts out (You should have seen them!) but they were badly let down by their club colleagues. The club is far from achieving its potential in its league commitments and every Sale Harrier - athletes, coach and parent have to take a collective responsibility. It's YOUR club! The club has the resources to win these matches as it proved in its 1st match in May at Ellesmere Port.