Isle of Man of Steel 2008 (Thursday and Friday)

14AC made their 1st ever trip to the internationally renowned Easter Athletics Festival on the Isle of Man.

The team comprising of Leon, Andy, Martin G and Pete K weren't too sure what to expect, other than high carnage. This based on Leon's report from his trip avec Doss AC (Leeds Past&Present) last year.

Logisitics meant that Foster and Kellie travelled with the majority of the Leeds mob on board the 'chunder catamaran'(Thursday evening). Over half the people on board were sick and comotose, special mention to the guy in the recovery position throughout. Leon meanwhile, happily knocked back several beers whilst chuckling away under his breath.

Once at the hotel, more beers were chanced upon, but Pete had to go to bed as he had an important race the next day.

Early doors Friday, and after breakfast Leaf and Gasman arrived, having had an easier but still pretty hairy flight over from Gatwick. Having surveyed the scene,Gasman departed for his abode in with Edinburgh.

But not after declining the chance to purchase the latest 14AC accessory, the green football sock. This on the basis 'he had some at home'. For a minute we thought Martin had a second home on the Isle of Man, but no, and he ended up looking the stupid one once we all had said socks.

The Leeds based contingent went on the afternoon steam train to the south of the island, where the 10k race was based. Very leisurely, this was the ideal way to travel to the race.

A quiet hour was spent in a tea shop whilst a gale blew past, and the people around us all purchased the most tempting cakes you've ever seen.

We then realised we weren't anywhere near the registration, and so a swift walk allowed us to collect our numbers. At this point our proud and distinctive heritage as 14AC'ers was called into question, the signs point to dirty Alehouse (Manchester) tactics, but we quashed the organisers questions with ease and headed to the start, though not before applying a dose of green war paint, at precise 45 degree angles.

The race started in a snow storm, and was windy throughout, as on a fairly undulating course, the boys got to work. Leaf was slightly disapointed not to break Baptistes course record of 34.00, being 2 seconds outside that mark, but came home in a very respectable 14th, especially given the race was being led by some real class athletes. Gaunt battled onwards through the winds, and ran a well timed race, to close within 25 seconds of Andy by the end, in 21st place. Pete meanwhile, battled bravely through his recent niggles to claim 31st place. This meant the team finished a creditable 6th overall, beating Leon's friends from Leeds on a tie-break!

Leon meanwhile, 'jogged' round in 47.01, 98th position, but this was all part of the team plan.

It was a real drag to get to the pub after these toils, but we made the 10 yards look easy, and were at the bar in no time. It was here we met one of the all time Isle of Man Greats, Gods, some might say. The famous 'Y.P' of Edinburgh and Hunters Bog Trotters. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the tale, Mr Y.P. managed to run 100 miles and drink 100 pints in 100 hours. Not an easy task. And you can tell he did it too. At first we thought we had met the local drunk, but after a while his ramblings made a sort of sense and we were able to engage in a form of communication. When asked for advice on 100/100/100, his answer was legendary but not publishable on tinternet. In awe, we had another pint or two in his honour.

Then it was back to the hotel, after a brief bout of beach spraying. Andy and Pete, had to witness and indulge in the Leeds and Doss beer trials, which Leon won for the second year running. Martin made a fleeting appearance, only to tell us the Manchester trials were par superior, then buggered off again. Kellie and Greenleaf were very close on both races, but Andy managed sub 6 on both rounds to win. Unluckily for them, they didn't get to partake in the 'beefcake' challenge, or the 2 pint challenge. With a hill race to face tomorrow, it was just as well....