The 10km and 5km Race Walking Championships hosted by West Midlands Police took place in Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. After a period of absence from competitive race walking, Peter Ryan representing Essex Police, returned and comfortably won the Championship Trophy in a winning time of 53 mins.23 secs. Peter was second overall in the actual race.

Second was the ever present Amos Seddon of Metropolitan Police in 58 mins 35 secs. In third place, repeating his position from last year’s championships, was Martin Slevin from West Midlands Police in 61 mins.10 secs.

West Midlands Police gained first team awards, edging out Essex Police into second team place with the Metropolitan Police finishing third.

It was encouraging to see that both Lancashire Police and Essex Police fielded entries for the women’s 5km championships.

Tess Wisbey of Essex Police was first place in 31 mins 51 secs. In second place was Elizabeth Man Rey in 36 mins 21 secs and third place went to Sue Harrison from Lancashire Police in 36 mins 59secs.

Hopefully numbers will increase in future championships for this recently introduced women’s distance over 5km.

The annual match with the Civil Service for the Ryan Cup was once again retained by the Civil Service who packed their walkers well up in the race positions, although the margin was much narrower than the previous year.