Three Manx athletes contested the British Grand Prix of Race Walking at Roundhay Park in Leeds on Sunday.

The 20km event incorporated the British, English and Irish championships and was the official trial for the world championships in Doha.

A select, international field contested the race, held on an out-and-back one-kilometre lap alongside a lake.

In the men’s 20km, 19-year-old Tom Partington (Manx Harriers) put in a fine performance in only his third race at this distance.

The Leeds-based student looked comfortable and controlled as he passed through halfway in 46min 05sec, dropping only 22s over the second 10km.

His finishing time of 92m 27s improved his previous best by over two-and-a-half minutes, placing him sixth in the all-time IoM list.

Tom was ninth overall, fourth in both the British and English championships.

Erika Kelly (Northern AC) approached the women’s race quietly confident of improving on her 20km personal best.

After a disciplined start she reached the 10km mark in 49.30 - on target and looking comfortable.

Unfortunately, at 12km, she suffered a repeat of the stomach problems which have affected her in recent 20km events and she was unable to maintain her earlier pace.

While disappointed and frustrated with her finishing time, the 26-year-old had the consolation of picking up two medals - bronze in the GB championship and gold in the English champs.

It’s fair to say that Hannah Hunter (Manx Harriers) had an eventful race. Short of endurance training she was hopeful of a solid, sub-two hour 20km.

That’s what she ended up with, but it wasn’t straightforward.

After a positive start, she went through 10km in 57 minutes, but soon afterwards picked up a third red card. Under the new ’pit lane’ ruling she had to stop for a two-minute penalty.

Hannah returned to the action determined to finish strongly, crossing the line in 1hr 57m 20s, enough to win the bronze medal in the England championships.

All three will now concentrate on shorter summer events, before contesting the Isle of Man 20km at the beginning of September.

l Tom and Erika are grateful to IoM SportAid for their continued support.