Thanks to Tom for this latest running report. Ed
Salisbury was the venue for the final fixture and the course offered a loop-heavy challenge made unusual by the strong winds; it was easier running up hill than down.
The juniors running for IOW AC only just made the start line and had to deal with a vicious downpour of hail at times. Elsie Lewis and Ellie Bacon were inseparable both finishing their run at 9.57 in 30th and 31st place. Eden Crumplin battled well for 18th in the Under 15 girls.
The under 13 boys finished the season a very creditable 5th in their league with usual team of Tom Timmons, James Haggerty and Laurence Lynch. Their Under 15 colleagues managed 8th in their own very competitive league with their team lead home by another superb performance by Micheal Ilott in 5th (7th overall for the season) supported by Sam Hutchinson and Jacob Lewis.
The final juniors race was the Under 17 boys with Austin Law and Aidan Pearce crossing the line just a few seconds apart in 27th and 28th place respectively.
Senior women had Island runners from Ryde Harriers and Havant. First home once again was Sarah Kavanagh in 26th (16th overall for the season) followed by a strong finishing Grace Crumplin 33rd and 8th Under 20 as well as 6th overall for the season. Mary Norman came next finishing 44th to give her 11th place overall in the vets ranking for the season. Kaya Simpson and Annabel Marsh crossed a place apart in 50th and 51st respectively but 12th and 13th in the Under 20 category. Ryde Harriers Julie King (54th) and Abi Cooke (72nd) completed the Island runners.
For the men Billy Hancock had another good run to take 36th overall and 11th Under 20. Ryde Harriers completed their debut season 3rd in Division 3 with their usual team complemented by the speed of Paul Cooke finishing in 50th. Next came Tom Blackwell in 95th, Les Cupis in 102nd (21st in the season’s vets standings), Dominic Jacobs 120th (20th Under 20) and Paul Charlton-Smith 141st. Paul’s season ranking in the vets individual placing was 44th but he was 2nd vet 60, a just reward for some tough running.
