Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this report from Sunday’s Isle of Wight Marathon. Ed
Race records tumbled when 157 runners lined up for this year’s Isle of Wight Marathon. Organised by Ryde Harriers, this event incorporated the national Police Marathon Championship. Last year their race was staged in Milton Keynes – a very different course from the Island’s 26+ miles.
With the IW Community Club at Cowes as the start/finish venue, competitors completed a circuit via Gurnard, Locksgreen, Shalfleet, Yarmouth Road, The Causeway, Thorley, Shalfleet, Corf and back to Cowes via Pallance Road.
New course record
First home was Island-born Christopher Redhead, in a time of 2:45:32, a new course record. He now lives and competes in France and was previously a competent cyclist, starting out with Vectis Roads Cycling Club.
He inherited the lead after about 20 miles and had a winning margin of some four minutes. Chris is only the fifth Islander to win the race in 59 years, but is the first to be triumphant twice, having previously won in 2013. He also won the Veteran 40+ category this year.
Competition struck with dead legs
Another former winner (in 2009) is Paul Cameron (IW Road Runners), who held a lead of more than two minutes for well into the race. Paul, however, was forced to withdraw this year after 22 miles when he pulled up suffering from ‘dead legs’. Following treatment from the Red Cross he appeared at the finish walking unaided.
All the next four finishers were police officers. Male police champion was Alex Davies from Newquay Road Runners/Devon&Cornwall Police in 2:49:37. It was a deserved victory as he was runner-up in the last two annual police championships. Alex was also second in the IW Marathon and second Vet 40+.
Police Marathon Championship
Third overall and second in the Police Championship was Dave Giles, representing Newcastle Tri Club/Staffs Police in 2:55:39. He was also third Vet 40+.
A Scot, Richard Cockbain, was the only other runner to break three hours in 2:57:46. Running in the colours of Edinburgh AC/Scottish Police he was fourth overall and bronze medallist for the police.
Women runners
An excellent run by Sarah Hill from Farnham Runners/Hampshire-IW Police in 3:00:31, a female course record saw her crowned the women’s Police Champion. Once a running companion of the Olympian Kelly Holmes, she also took the Female IW Marathon title and the Female Vet 40+ title.
Tara Malone was second woman home in the IW Marathon and Ffion Davies third. Judy McCabe (IWRR) was the first Island woman to finish.
Personal bests
As the fifth male finisher, sixth overall, Daniel Faulkner of IW Road Runners posted a personal best of 3:01:25 in only his third Marathon. Last year he ran 3:27 – some improvement.
Winner in 2011, Ryde Harriers’ Les Cupis was tenth in 3:10:05, a new course record in the Vet 50+ category and record IW Male Vet.
Family triumph
There was a double family triumph for the Holmes brothers from Fleet & Crookham A.C. Nicholas won the Vet 55 title in 3:29:49, a new course record whilst Adam, was the top Vet 60+ in 4:05:36.
Their team mate Richard Simpson was taking part in his 30th consecutive IW Marathon.
Meanwhile, Ryde Harriers’ Jonathan Norton, tasted success in the Vet 70+ section in 4:05:36 beating his own course record by seven minutes.
IW Road Runners triumphed as the top Men’s Team, with Devon & Cornwall Police runners up. IW Road Runners ‘B’ was third placed.
Amongst the women team contenders, IW Road Runners finished ahead of the Metropolitan Police trio.
Image: © Suzanne Whitewood
