Karen Lawrie and Tony Mackintosh have become the first Manxman and Manxwoman to take part in the prestigious Paris Alsace race walk. The two local race walkers, who received support from SMP Partners, were among just 30 men and 15 women selected to compete in the event, which took place from 3rd to 6th June.
Competing against a number of renowned professional race walkers, Karen completed the 192 mile course in around 47 hours, becoming the first Manxwoman and fourth British woman to complete the women’s race. Things initially looked good for Tony, but a combination of extreme temperatures and unexpectedly tight cut-off times meant that he had to retire from the men’s race. However, this did not stop him joining Karen to support her during the last 60 miles of the women’s race – an impressive feat in itself!
SMP Partners’ support for Karen and Tony during the race helped to cover the costs of transport, food, kit and equipment for them and their support teams.
Karen said: ‘While the race was a huge challenge, both physically and mentally, Tony and I both enjoyed it immensely and we are already planning to try and qualify again for next year’s event. We endured some fairly extreme weather conditions during the race, including a hailstorm, thunder and lightning, as well as temperatures so hot the tarmac was starting to melt beneath our feet – only eight of the 10 women completed the course, and one of the top French women and a male walker even had to be hospitalised due to the heat.
‘I am absolutely delighted to have finished the race, and to be the first Manxwoman to do so is an added bonus – practicing in Manx landscapes definitely gave me an advantage, as I was the fastest woman on the hilliest sections of the race! Having our own support teams there with us was a fantastic help too, and one that I don’t think would have been possible without the generous support of SMP Partners.’
Tony added: ‘Only eight out of 24 competitors managed to finish the men’s race so, while I am disappointed that I had to retire early from the race, it’s nice to know I wasn’t alone – even the current French champion was forced to bow out! I am determined to go back and complete it next year, as the atmosphere throughout was fantastic, which really helped you to stay positive during difficult sections of the race. The logistics of it all may seem daunting, but they are not impossible, and the race organisers are eager for more Manx walkers to compete in the future.
‘There is a great deal of preparation involved in competitive race walking events, which was certainly made easier with the sponsorship of SMP Partners, and we would once again like to say a huge thank you to the company for supporting us and believing in us.’
SMP Partners’ Managing Director Mark Denton said: ‘SMP Partners prides itself on its involvement with the Island’s community and local sports initiatives, and we were delighted to support both Karen and Tony’s as they contested this year’s Paris Alsace.
‘It really is an honour to be selected to compete in a race such as this, alongside famous race walkers, so to have Tony and Karen represent the Island in such a prestigious race was fantastic. We hope that their story will be an inspiration to our Island’s own race walking enthusiasts ahead of this weekend’s Parish Walk!’
Photo - Karen and Tony (right) with their support team.
