St Johns
Ratch-slieau Valley Keeill Eoin
Information
| Distance | 3 miles |
| Ascent | 900ft |
| Category | A/Short |
| Start | St Johns Football Club (GR277 817) |
| Details | The organisers reserve the right to change any part of the course and their decision on any matter concerning the race is final. Minimum age of entry is 18 years on day of race, entry is £3. Held under FRA rules Waterproof whole body cover, map and compass, whistle, emergency food required |
History
Slieu Whallian is better known as the witches hill as anyone suspected of being a witch was put inside a barrel with spikes on the inside and rolled down the hill, survivors were declared to be witches!
In 1985 St.Johns cricket club moved from Greeba to their new field in St.Johns village. Instead of having the Greeba fell race as one of the events of their annual sports they had the Slieu Whallian fell race. The route through Mullen e cloie river, up the steep bank, along the bottom of the plantation, up through the fields by the plantation wall and along the ridge to the summit of Slieu Whallian was devised by Ian Callister. The first race was won by Keith Callister in 24.19.
The St.Johns village fair held on Tynwald fair field also had a Slieu Whallian fell race (using a different route) from 1976 to 1988. Keith Callister won for a second time in 1986 in a time of 23.49.
The battle of the Steve’s took place in 1987. Steve Brennan broke the course record setting new figures of 23.16. Steve Hull was runner up also breaking the record and Steve Partington was third just one second outside the old record.
Tony Rowley had wins in 1988 and 1991.
The cricket club sports stopped in 1993 so the race finish was moved to the Farmer’s arms car park and to keep the distance the same the start was moved to a point on the road near St.Johns football field.
Tony Rowley won for the third time and Steph Maddrell without a barrel became the first lady to complete the race recording 30.28.
Tony Rowley won the next two years to complete his hatrick and take his total to five wins. Steph Maddrell also completed a hatrick and moved the ladies record to 28.20.
In 1996 Graham Clarke broke Steve Brennans course record by 18 seconds and Brenda Walker improved the ladies record to 27.24 when she scored the first of her four consecutive wins. Brenda improved the ladies record to 27.15 in 1997.
In 1998 the route went to the top of the plantation instead of through the fields. Keith Callister won for the third time, 15 years after winning for the first time!
In 1999 the start and finish was moved to St.Johns football field. Tony Rowley won establishing a course record which he improved the following year to 23.58 which is the current course record.
In 2001 Tony Okell scored the first of his hatrick of wins and Brenda Walker won the ladies race for a record fifth time in 29.00 which is the present ladies record.
In 2002 Rose Hooton scored the first of her hatrick of wins.
