Thanks to Tom for this report from the Ryde Harriers. Ed
February started with a busy day for Ryde Harriers as they organised the latest Hampshire Road Race League event, the Ryde 10. With over 400 entries it was one of the busiest stagings of this challenging ten mile race and the glory went to an Island athlete with IWAC runner, Joe Wade, taking the win.
Dibden Enclosure
The following week it was the final Hampshire cross-country league fixture at Dibden Enclosure in the New Forest.
In the senior races there were seasons best placings for Ryde Harrier Sarah Blackwell who finished 18th in the women’s race and IWAC athlete Daniel Eckersley who was 29th in the men’s event.
Ryde’s women’s team finished their season in an excellent seventh place in the league ahead of several larger clubs. For Ryde’s men it was a bittersweet finale as they finished with their best team score to equal City of Salisbury’s 15, but the overall placing score for the season saw Salisbury just hang onto second place in Division 3 to claim promotion by a slim margin.
‘Let’s All Run Together’
February club night events featured the all-Island ‘Let’s All Run Together’ meet up. Started by West Wight Road Runners in 2014 this ongoing series of runs sees the major Island clubs opening their club night events for anyone to take part to forge links across the Island running community. Ryde organised a torchlit post-Ryde 10 recovery run involving laps of Appley and Puckpool parks then laid on hot soup and rolls for the near-on 100 runners who took part.
The previous week saw a five mile road race begin the month’s programme. Using a 5km loop followed by a two mile out-and-back the course is great for a battle with rivals. Winner Luke Gardner had no rivals to speak of on his charge to glory as he crossed the line in a personal best time of 31:58, nearly four minutes ahead of Sam Cleare in second and Andrew Lewis in third. There was much more of a battle between the women as Julie King just managed to hold of the challenge of Tracey Dillon to take the win. King finished in 36:20 whilst Dillon crossed four second later with Elaine Parry in third in 38:23.
5km / Five mile
Next up, twenty runners take on the fast blast of the 5km handicap. New member Gordon Mucklow took the men’s points comfortably with Andrew Lewis in second and Simon Joy showing his returning form to take third. Juliette Chan was first woman on the night with Samantha Fancourt second and Angela Thornton in third.
The final Tuesday of the month was a five mile nominated event with Graham Skelley scooping maximum points as he finished just five seconds inside his stated time of forty minutes. Second was Jake Brougham, nine seconds outside his time of thirty five minutes and third place went to Rosie Eldridge with a twelve second difference in her times.
Next meet
The club meets every week at 7pm with runs starting at 7:30pm from Ryde Rowing Club and new members or guests are very welcome.
For those looking for a new challenge or wanting to give running a try, Ryde Harriers will be starting a beginners running course in April.
See the Website for more details and how to sign up.
