Full results and pictures are being uploaded to the Concept 2 UK website during the day's racing.
Live-written reports on this webpage will be shown in reverse race order.
For the latest live races click here. Earlier races shown below.
Race 21: WU32H
The top heavyweight U23 women race now, a little disconcerting to
commentate here with Matt and James holding a press conference behind
me.
We lost some commentary there, with the server disconnecting. Rebecca
Romer took the lead from the start,and now with 400m to go spliting 1:44
still leads from Laura Gater, who leads from Florence Temple in
third. It's been that order from the start, and looks to be the finish
order with 200m left. Sarah Cottell in fourth, it still Romero from Gater
coming into the last 100m. Romero pulling away; Gater handging onto
second place, with Temple taking bronze and Cottell fourth. Romero won in
6:52.0, Gater was 6.57.0, which is a BUSA U23 gold, and Temple finished in
7:01.7 and Cottell with 7:03.4, taking BUSA U23 silver and bronze
respectively.
Race 20: WU23H, WU23L
The bulk of the slower heavyweight niversity squad race off here, with a
large contingent
from OUWBC, lots from Leicester. The front row of top seeds with
a wide
mix of the top lightweights .Jo Hammond of Rob
Roy
(Cambridge) is a strong contender, with Alison Eastman from the University
of London along side.
They're off, and after the first 300m, it's Becky Thorpe from Nottingham
Uni, who leads Alison Eastman in second and Jo Hammond in third. Both of
these are overrating Thorpe, who's lead is being eaten awau as the move up
ro 1250m to go. Now Jo pushes, and moves up to second place, her and
Eastman close on Thorpe. Fourth place is Laura Fetts, who is trying to
hold off Louise Collins. Hammond now takes the lead, and Eastman follows
her through Thorpe into second place. Hammond doing 1:48, with Eastman
second doing 1:51. Collins has now moved up to third, doing 1:49. Now,
she's taken second from Eastman, who is trying to push back but to no
avail. Hamands still under 1:50, moving away from the field. 600m to go,
Collins starting to push for the finish at 1:49, but it's Hammond clear in
first place with Collins keeping away Eastman for second. Hammond with
400m to go, still steady at 1:48, very calm, and hasn't taken the rate up,
but still pulling away slowly from the rest. Collins finding the pressure
tough, fighting off Eastman for second place. 1:44 from Hammond as she
goes for the line, she takes first in 7:16.0, Eastman took second with
7:23.0 and Collins held third with 7:24.1.
Race 19: M Open H
This is the big one, with the top GB men in action; Matt Pinsent goes
alongside James Cracknell, with the rest if the squad; Steve Trapmore,
Ed Coode, Kieren West and Steve Williams
surround the top pair. Also to go in this are the top end of the OUBC
squad, Tom Westerling a past favourite from the BIRC. With a slowest
predicted time of 6:02 in the top 25 seeds,this should be a really quick
one.
From here we can see the atheletes taking to their machines, taking
outside kit off, most very quiet and mentally focussed. All in place, for
the first time today they're calling the competitors out, announcing them
to the crowd. Large cheer for Ed Coode, bigger cheer for James Cracknell,
and a huge cheer for Matt Pinsent. The press room empties out, as
everyone goes for a closer look. Last few names; Josh West (CUBC and GB
eight) gets called out, we're almost ready to go.
Quiet now, we're ready for the start. They're forward to row, ready, and
they're off. No, it's a false start. Complete anticlimix, and they now
have to refocus again. Off again, and it's a clean start this
time. James and Matt stroke for stroke, matching each other for pace and
length. both a neck and neck, moving a little ahead of the rest, with
Westerling in third. The leader board says Cracknell in front, but there
is really nothing in it. 600m gone, both James and Matt have a length
lead from Westerling, with Steve Williams in fourth. Now it's Matt listed
on top, but looking at them James looks like he wanted ro get the rate up
higher. James at 1:28, Matt at 1:29, James now back in the lead. They've
opened out in front of Westerling, who still maintains a lead over
Williams in fourth. 600m to go, and James has made a move away from Matt
- just trying to hold on, 450m left. Still matching stroke for stroke,
but James still moving away from Matt, with Williams moving up into
third. 200m left and Matt puts the rate up now, trying to get back on
with James, he's
pulled some back, but I don't think it's going to be enough - large cheers
now... and Matt takes it! Incredible finish from Matt there, just to take
the lead on the last stroke from James. Both manage to stay sitting on
the erg, and the crowd applaud their efforts. James can hardly sit
upright, as they recover. Jurgen now is next to James, making sure he
keeps moving, as Matt gets interviewed by a film crew. The next heat
takes there place, with Matt and James still surrounded by people.
Times will come soon.
Race 18: M Open L
Should be an interesting race, with most of the top GB lightweight squad
racing; Tim Male, Matt Beechey, John Warnock, Gareth Ireland,
Nick English; the list goes on. Championship record for this is
Ian Watson in 6:13.7, with the GB record at 6:07.2 for Tim Male. Other
people to watch are Eskild Ebbesen from the Danish Lwt 4- that won at
Sydney, and Filippo Mannucci from the Italian Lwt 4x who also won at
Sydney. Ebbesen is the world record holder, with 6:03.2.
Just passed James Cracknell, on his way to warm up for the Big Race at 2
pm. On wishing him good luck: "I'm going to need it. I much prefer
racing with him than against him (ie Matty P). Just about the most
nervous I've seen him, ever!
Ebbesen leads them off, after Watson then Beechey. All change after few
hundred with Watson and Ebbesen neck and neck for the lead splitting 1:32,
pulling away from Richard Wilder third and Nick English in fourth. Both
Watson and Ebbesen now at 1:33, still very little in it at the front
end. Their lead just shortens with English and Wilder moving a little
closer. Half way stage now, with Watson and Ebbeson changing the lead
every stroke. Tom Male, rating a little low, moves into fifth, with now
Ebbesen just in front of Watson. Ebbesen, overrating everyone, moves in
front of Watson, and creates a small lead. Male takes it up, moving into
fourth. Watson 1:35, Ebbesen 1:33, Male now moves into third place, and
now takes Watson as Watson fades. Male, with 400m to do, takes it down to
1:26, moving up quickly on Ebbesen, that push takes him level. English in
third - now Male and Ebbesen are neck and neck for the lead - last few
strokes, but Ebbesen now takes it down to 1:28, Male at 1:33 - starting to
tell from that massive push. Ebbesen wins in 6:09.2, the Male at 6:11.0
just a litte behind. English with 6:12.5 was third, with Mark Hunter at
6:12.8 in fourth.
Tim Male said after the race 'I was hanging on for grim death in there. I
had a huge push at 500m to go, to see what I could do. The spirit was
willing, but unfortunately the leg packed up. All credit to him
(Ebbesen) for a well paced race.'
Race 17: W Open H
Katherine Granger takes part in this race; the video screens show the 4x
from Sidney winning Silver. Also in this are Sarah Lauritzen, Olympics at
96 and 2000, Hurnet Dekkers, the reigning world indoor champion, and
the Evers-Swindell sisters. Georgina is the fastest women over 2000m on
the erg, and sister Carolie rowed with her for New Zealand in this years
World Championships.
Grainger shows first, against this top class field, with Lauritzen leading
the Evers-Swindell sisters in the next three places. Grainger has opens
quite a lead on the field here over the first 500m, now with Georgina in
second from Dekkers in third. Still Grainger looking very impressive,
taking her time over each stroke to get the most power on. Now Dekkers
moves into second place; it's neck and neck between her and the two
sisters from New Zealand, but still with Grainger out in front. Into the
second half, and still it's Grainger from Georgina is moving now
closing. Dekkers in third place now. Both sisters in black next to each
other, rating in step. Last 500m, 1:40 for Grainger, but Georgina is
moving 1:37 to the lead is now to a few meters. Dekkers now put a major
push doing 1:34, Dekkers now in the lead wth 200m left, Grainger holds
second place from Georgina. Dekkers pulling away now, with Georgina
almost level with Grainger. On the line, Georgina takes second from
Grainger, with Dekkers out in front. Dekkers 6:32.9, 0.3 outside the
british overall record, 1 second outside world best, but a new
championship record. Georgina in second with 6:34.9, Grainger just
pushing into bronze in 6:35.1, with Caroline in fourth with 6:43.0.
Race 16: W Open L, W Open H
In the lightweights we've got three from the GB squad; Sarah Birch, Jane
Hall and Helen Casey,
and the South African Lwt 2- of Georgina Simpson and Jill
Lancaster. Another big name is Juliane Elander, silver in the US CRASH-B
indoor rowing championships last year. The heavyweights are the first of
two heats, with the big names in the later heat.
Off first time with Elander moving into a lead at first place, with Helen
Casey leading the chasing pack.Simpson moves into third place, with the
first two moving away now. First 500m gone, with Lara Hampton moving up
to fourth place to challenge Simpson for third place. Elander rating
37/38 sitting next to Casey who although rating lower, now moves through
to take the lead at almost the half way stage. These two moving away from
the pack now, with Marit Van Eupen now into fourth place and trying to
move past Simpson fir the bronze place. Casey now has a good lead over
Elander, who is slipping back towards the chasing two at third and
fourth. Casey looking very powerful and long, still holding her lead over
Elander, who still keeps in front of Van Eupen who has moved into third
place. Last 300m for the leaders, Casey starts to push now, taking the
rate up to move further away from Elander. In third its still Van Eupen
from Simpson. Casey wins in 7:05.8, with Elander second in 7:10.3, Van
Eupen
taking third place, 7:14.1, with Simpson fourth with 7:15.1. Helen
Casey said afterwards 'I was just hanging on, pulling and pulling. I
was doing it wrong, but I was doing it fast enough!'
Race 15: M Open H
Next heat of the Mens Open sees GB squad members Matt Wells, Tom Stallard
who was in the eight until knee surgery and here representing CUBC, Joseph
Von Maltzahn took his place in the eight. Simon Cottle and David Beckley
have also sone GB squad before now. A fair chunk of CUBC top squad are
also here, with Stuart Welch, Sebastian Mayer, Lukas Hirst and Colin
Swainson.
They're off cleanly first time, Anthony Scoon for Notts County in the
lead, from Mayer, Cottle and Welch. All under 1:30. Scoon still holding
onto the lead, Cottle now into second place. Mayer pushes onto second a
head of cottle. Scoon has dropped out of it into fourth. All the
leaders; Welch, Mayer, Cottle are around 1:30 to 1:31, with Scoon droping
down. At least 6 still in contention in the field. welch still holding
on from Mayer, with Andrew Hodge into third. It changes again, with
Welch, Cottle Hodge and Mayer tight for the top four but moving away from
the rest a little. Welch still holding 1:30 split, moving a little away
from the rest. Hodge and Cottle keep swapping second and third, Welch
still looking to beat his pb of 6:02. Still needs to go faster to beat
the final fastest heat, but might get a BUSA medal. Hodge having another
go, with Cottle trying to close the gap to Welch. Last 150, the rates
come right up, with Cottle just edgeing ahead of Hodge for
second. Stallard takes Von Maltzahn for fourth place. Welch with 6:00.8
takes first, Cottle with 6:01.6 in second, Hodge with 6:03.4, Stallard
6:05.4 in fourth. Welch won silver in the Austrailian Eight looks a good
contender for CUBC this year.
Race 14: M Open H, M Open L
First of three heats of Mens Open Heavyweight. This contains some of
the top club rowers in this country, with later heats having the top GB
squad members. The first of the CUBC members appear here, Ewan Robson,
Oliver Knight, Will Hoppit and Richard McElroy, with a few top names from
Tideway Scullers; Tom Gale and Richard Kelly.
A false start for the top names; the rest continue. Now they start, with
Gale ahead of Philip Simmons. Now they change over, with Pattison now
pushing ahead of Gale, who now settles to fifth place. Angus MacAlister
pushes up to third. Nows it Pattison, Simmonds and Toby
Wallace. Simmonds now pushes back, splitting 1:30 and pushing passed
Pattison. Dave Gillard, ex CUBC, now into third place. Passed half way,
and we've got Nicko Dalton pushing , pushing himself and Gillard into
third and second place. Simmonds still in the lead, pulling 1:33, looking
for the final 500m. Gillard now pushes into the last 500, closing the gap
at 1:29. Under 400m to go now. The oarmen can see their position on the
monitors, and now Gillard at 1:26 enters the last 100m with
Simmonds; Simmonds coming back. Not sitting together, all they can tell
is their place. Level 50m togo, still level, Simmonds finds a bit extra,
and takes first place in this first heat of Mens Open. He gets 6:03.5,
Gildard second in 6:04.1, Nicko Dalton 6:06.5. They'll have to wait to
see where they come overall after the faster two heats remaining. None of
the lightweights figured in the top leaderboard, because of the false
start.
Race 13: M30L, M35L
Current leader in 30L is David Cutting with Philip Healy in second, but
Duncan Paterson in the 35L has sneaked into second place overall. Healy
splitting 1:35, moving back into second, closing on Cutting. Peter
Haining has had a bit of a cold this week, so isn't competing
today. Healy just in front of Cutting, now swapped again - Paterson in
third, Steve Miles now moved in fourth, now third in front of
Paterson. Miles at 1:36, faster than everyone, so starting to move up on
the two leaders. Healy from Cutting by a snort nose still, Miles now just
meters behind th two in front. Paterson stil the 35L leader in fourth
overall. Healy splitting 1:36, starting to move into a lead in first
place. Miles now in second, but with Cutting pushing back - they're
sitting next to each other, they keep looking across at each other
monitors. 250m left, anything could happen. Very close for first, and
now with Donovan moving into fourth, pushing into third now. Miles just
makes it in first place, with Healy second, Donovan holds onto third
place. Times are 6:23.4 for Miles (gold in 30L), a new championship
record by a second. Healy got 6:24.1, Donovan third in 6:24.5. Gold for
35L went to Paterson in 6:27.4, just outside the record.
Race 12: M40L, M45L, M50L
False start for the front row, the rest carry on. Lane 7 - Tim Ellis from
the Prison Service (who says training on a concept2 is like making love to
it). Still waiting for the front row to restart. There off now, looks
like a clean start. Graham Price in front in the 40L, from Alan
Sarbutt-King in 45L, from Brian Hotchkins, 45L in third. Now Phil Talbot
moves
from fourth to second overall. In 40L we've got Prince from Talbot from
Brooks, 45L Hotchkins from Everington from West. Can't see any 50L on the
leaderboard. Price leading by about 20m from Talbot in second, leading
from Brooks who moves past Hotchkins. Everington testing Hotchkins for
fourth place. Over half way gone, Price moves away from the field
splitting 1:36. Nearest challenger, Tolbot is at 1:39. David Hislo,
racing twice today, moved into fourth place, leading the 45L
catagory. He's second race is in 3 hours time. Moving into the last
500m, Price still with a massive lead over the field. One of the record
holder, Jean-Paul Tardieu hasn't turn up. Last 250m for Price, way out in
front of Talbot. Price on for his 5th gold at the BIRC, own record is
6:32.8, which looks like he'll pass today. Yes, beaten it by 10seconds in
6:22.1. Talbot second in 6:37.3. Brooks was third overall and in 40L
catagory. Hislop won 45L, and now has to recover before doing 45H this
afternoon.
Race 11: M55-59L, M50-54H, M55-59H
In the lights, we've got Roger Prowse who won 55L last year, with Andrew
Johnson who should be competitive. In the heavies, Jim Skelly, Andy
Ripley and Roger Uttley look to figure. Skelly took silver last year,
with Andy Riply being the current world record holder in 50-59H. His
rugby playing colleague Roger Uttley sitting next to him, racing for
Harrow School RC. Further down with have Tom Hinsby who won bronze in the
55H last year. His heaviest competitor is probably Donald Leggett, a well
known CUBC coach and founder of the Harry Mahon Cancer Research
trust. He's racing today to raise money for the trust.
Ripley leads the pack, with Roger Ray close in second. Ripley rowing very
long - looks as though he's found something extra by leaning
back. Clearly works for him, splitting 1:32. That would beat his own
record, but he's starting to slip. Elliot in third, leading the 55H
catagory. Leggett is racing a light 18, chatting to the spectators as he
rows. Elliot and Uttley move past Ray into second and third behind
Ripley. Roger Prowse is the top 55L, in 11th overall. Chris
Hetherington, who describes himself as an armchair warrior, has moves
steadily up to fourth. Makes three of the top four are rugby players not
rowers. 500m to go, Ripley still leaning back in firth place, Elliot from
Uttley in second and third. Prowse leading the lightweights, as Ripley
goes into the last 250, 50 ahead of Elliot. Uttley moves into second,
with Ripley splitting 1:40 and looking quiet tired. Finishes with 6:20.1.
Uttley second with 6:29.7, silver in 50H. Elliot with 6:32.1 gold in the
55H and set a new championship record by 15seconds. Bronze in the 50H was
Chris Hetherington, fourth overall. Leggett still going - they might
delay the next race. There's speculation he's being sponsored per minute.
Now he finishes - first quote is 'very very very very bored'.
Race 10: W30-34H, W35-39H, W40-44H
Now the heavies take their turn. Axten leads them off, with Laura Myers
in 30H behind her. In 40H, Sarah Springman is 200m ahead of her nearest
group competitor, in third overall. In 30H, Myers and Jane Fisher in 2nd
and 4th overall. Springman, splitting 1:45, moves into 2nd. Axten from
Springman from Fisher from Myers. Kate Hewitt in 5th, Helen Day now in
4th 30H. The field is spreading out now, coming with 1100m to go. Axten
with a considerable lead, nearest 30H contender being Jane Fisher in
third. Springman still in second, leading her group by miles, and just
holding off Fisher in third. Day and Hewitt still battleing for fourth
and fifth, coming into the final 700m. Still Axten from Springman from
Fisher. Jennifer Smith moving up in the 35H catagory, closing on
Fisher. Fisher looks like she's blown, dropping off the
leaderboard. Smith now going past her, takes the lead in 35H. Fisher
trying to relax - just managing to hold off Smith. Hewitt just pushed
past Day into third, 250m to go. Springman pulling 1:44s, closing on
Axten who is faltering. Big battle for third place, with Fisher in fifth
just holding off Smith. 50m left, Axten now wins it 7:03.3, Springman
7:04.7 in second. 35H winner is Jane Fisher, fifth overall. Not sure who
won the battle for third, the screen is now showing live footage. Now
it's back, Hewitt in third 7:07.7. Day got 7:08.1 for fourth.
Axten wins the 30H, Springman with the 40H and 35H was won by Jane Fisher,
dispite what looked like cramp in the middle; an impressive recovery to
hold off Smith.
Race
9: W30-34L, W35-39L, W40-44L,
Tracy Langlands, GB Lwt single, Jo Nitsch, GB Lwt coxless pair and Helen
Mangan, world record holder for 40-49L are among the starters in this
race. Nicky Dale 30L record of 7:10.7 is the longest standing British
Campionship record, under attack in this race.
Side by side we've got Tracy and Jo, first and second, Ashcroft in third
with Michelle Parsons in fourth. 40L catagory leader is Mangan, with
Rachel Edge chaseing her. Langlands in the lead, and just
undersplitting Nitsch enough to keep moving away. Both of them in
Leander kit, both very good technique. Now in fourth place is Kirsten
Brooks. Mangan now in fifth overall, solid lead over her age group
competitors. Langlands looking very strong and long. 2nd half of the
race, Ashcroft moving towards Nitsch for the silver place. Mangan
sneaking towards fourth, looking for a top three finish - legs moving down
quickest of everyone. Ashcroft moves through Nitsch into second,
Langlands looking a little vunerable. These three all side by
side. Nitsch now overrating Langlands, who's split is 1:48-1:49, now
moving into the last 500m. Now Nitsch pushes again, moves back into
second with Langlands still steady in first. Brooks and Mangan in fourth
and fifth. Can't see clearly from here, but now Ashcroft now pushes
through
Langlands, who can't raise the rate. Nitsch now pushes through Langlands,
looks good for silver. Ashcroft gold in 7:11.4, the record still
lives for another year. Nitsch in 7:14.1, Langlands 7:14.9 after leading
all the way before the last few hundred meters. Mangan fourth, wins
40-44L, with the 35-39L winner still unclear from here.
Ashcroft said afterwards "I had no idea (I was so close), I was just going
for a pb, number 3 kept flashing up, and then I heard on the tannoy that
I'd gone through Jo (Nitsch) so I went again".
Race 8: MJ18H
In this race coming up we've got Matt Langridge, World Junior Sculling
Champion, two ergs away with have Chris Mollison, who one the lightweight
event here last year. After the little loyalty debacle during the fours
head, it's good to see Langridge racing in Brooke's kit again. No sign
of
Mollison yet, and next to Langridge, Thomas James from this years GB
Junior eight is just warming up. OUBC are also out in force for this
race, with Morris, Mathews and Livingstone all racing in dark blue as
juniors.
And they're off... Langridge shows early, Ludlow next, with Mathews just
holding onto third from the chasing pack. Langridge pulling 1:29s,
steady, and moving rapidly away from the pack. Pack of three chasing
Ludlow, just keeping hold of second. Thomas James moves up to third, with
Mathews now second pushing Ludlow into fourth. Langridge has slipped to
1:30, trying to break that 6min barrier for the first tim, the rest of
the field very tight, 100m behind Langridge. Mathews, James and Morris
close for second place. Dimitrij Phoursa and Patrick Scahil both chasing
3rd place. Mathews has stopped - leaving James and Morris neck and neck
for silver and bronce. Scahil in fourth, 20m behind. Last 500m comes
up, Langridge back to 1:30, rating 28. Starts to move now, down to 1:28,
with Morris in front of James for Silver. Langridge to 1:27, rate now
comes up, noone within sight. 1:25 split, Martin Cross is counting him
done -
back to 1:27, very hard work. Coming to the last 100m, looking tight for
6min - 5:59.0, new PB and new British Record. Morris takes silver 6:19,7,
James bronze in 6:22.5.
Race 7: WJ18L, WJ18H, MJ13
Just been talking to the BBC, and they're covering this, but not live: there will be a 10-minute report shown next Sunday.
Race 6: MJ16 and MJ18Ltwt
We're just trying to organise to be able to see the action better, but at the moment are only able to put a little commentary online for each race.
Race 5: Women's J14 and J16 combined
The hall isn't full yet, but as the girls set off, commentators Nigel Mayglothling and Martin Cross are trying to get the crowds going. Natasha Page leads from the off, followed closely by Lydia Barstow, and these two sit in front for a while but then get closed down by Rebecca Kayll. Kayll goes through Barstow, but then Franki Jus-Burke, J14, is through her, and she and Page are on 2-minute splits. Page was last year's J15 winner, and has a strong lead, while Kayll moves through Jus-Burke, and then Lizi Hills, J14, unbelievably blasts though into overall second place. Superb stuff from the J14s, who are matching most of the J16 category. Page finishes well clear to take the J16 crown, Hills second to win J14, and it looks as if Page finished in 7:18, which is outside the current championship record.
Race 4: Men's J14 and J15 combined
We're here in Birmingham, and just setting up. This race is off, and it looks like Andrew Walker is in the lead by a massive stretch, next in the J15 category being Jon Brownley. Yes, they've finished, and Walker won, then Brownley, followed by Joshua Davidson. In the J14 category the commentary is confused and we can't yet see for ourselves, so we'll bring you the result later.
We have sibling rivalry in spades for this event, with two Tatmans (Dame Alice) going off for the WJ18L trophy although Vicky, the younger, is only 15. Plus Cooks galore from LED in the WJ18H. And as they start, we've got Jo Cook, silver J16 last year, in the lead, Ben Duggan (MJ13) second behind her. Now Ben Tufnell (MJ13) is through into second, with Lizzie Tinley (WJ18H) looking good in fourth. The top WJ18L seems to be off the top screen, but we'll see what we can find out. Now Richard Manton, MJ13 favourite, is in fourth, and Lizzie Tatman may be in the WJ18L lead in overall tenth. Jo Cook still in the lead, holding off Tinley who's now in second, while Manton's taken the MJ13 lead. As they get to 500 to go, it's Cook, Manton, Tinley, Saunders, and event leaders are Cook, Manton and Tatman now in eighth. Last fifty metres, and Cook will win, while Manton's just beside her on the line for the overall while he gets his trophy. Cook WJ18H in 7:12.1, Manton MJ13 7:12.2, Tatman WJ18L in 7:29, a new PB.
Shaw in the lead from the off, and Thomas Wilkinson pulling 1:31's to lead the J16 group. Wilkinson in the lead, James Watson now second (J18), with Will Robinson lying third overall, second in the J16 age-group. But it looks as if Wilkinson's blown after his fast start, and Robinson overhauls him, with Shaw not far behind. So the new leaders take up the pace, and these two streak away, the J16 still leading the J18L on power. David Merchant, last year's J15 winner, lies third at the moment, second in his category, but here comes Luke Zakrzewski as the oarsmen pass the 500-to-go mark. Robinson still pulling 1:37's, the Pangbourne boy looking strong and quite steady at about 26. He has what now looks like anilable lead, as Shaw's reeled in by Zakrzewski, previous J13 and J14 champion. Robinson wins in 6:24.7, outside the record, while Shaw's also outside for J18L, at 6:34.