Thanks to Tom for this latest report from the Ryde Harriers. Ed
Firstly there is Easter Saturday’s Newport to Ryde, first run in 1931 from town hall to town hall, which now undulates across the farmland, through the woods and along the old railway line that make up the seven miles of off-road between the two towns. The hills can at times seem unrelenting, coupled with a few tricky sections of mud and tree roots to make for a difficult but rewarding race.
This year a field of around 120 took part with two familiar Island champions taking the honours. Paul Cameron cruised in for first place in a time of 43:41 with Ryde Harriers Paul Cook and Tom Blackwell coming next in 45:06 and 46:58. A tense few minutes for the first finishers was crowned by Isle of Wight Road Runners third athlete crossing the line to take the men’s team prize after Ryde and IWRR had tied with two runners home each. Paul Cameron also took the first V40 prize whilst Chris Hall from Stubbington Green was first V50 and Graham Tuck first V60 in a new record time of 53:21.
In the women’s race reigning champion Sarah Kavanagh continued her dominance of the race with a clear victory in 51:13 with Daisy Hall from Stubbington Green second in 52:42 and Wight Tri’s Sarah Woods third in 53:52. Sarah Woods also took first V45 prize whilst first V35 went to IWRR Hayley Baxter and first V55 was Megan Eggeling of West Wight Road Runners. Lucy Diamond of Ryde Harriers was the first junior across the line and she set a new junior female record of 1:03:07. Ryde Harriers women took the team prize with IWRR women’s team second to even the score between the clubs.
The West Wight Three Hills race
Easter Monday saw many runners lining up again for the double-up of the West Wight Three Hills race. Taking in Golden Hill, Headon Warren and Tennyson Down the weather could not have been better with warm sunshine and gentle breezes along with clear views from the high points of the race. This time around the locals didn’t have it their own way. Winner of the men’s race was Malcolm Muir from Ilford AC in 46:48 with Andy Weir from Thames Hare and Hound second in a time of 48:05 and Paul Cameron third in 48:20 but first Island man home.
In the men’s team race it was a repeat of Saturday with IWRR just pipping Ryde Harriers with Wight Tri in third. Veterans prizes went to Malcom Muir (V40), IWRR Peter Sexton (V50), WWRR Paul Judge (V60) and Ryde’s Jonathon Norton (V70).
In the women’s race it was a comprehensive victory for Kath Bailey of Winchester and District in 55:18 with Liz Young from Hardley Runners in second in a time of 58:35 and Sarah Kavanagh third but first Island women home in 58:48. Once again, the women’s team race also saw a repeat of Saturday with Ryde Harriers triumphant over IWRR with Wight Tri third.
Veteran winners were Liz Young (V35), Kath Bailey (V45), New Forest Runners Caroline Woodford (V55) and Rosemarie Osbourn (V65).
Ryde Harriers club news
In club news Les Cupis started his 2015 ultra series with 40 miles of the Black Mountains Ultra. He finished in 26th position in a time of 9 hours 10 mins. The latest Harriers club night was the final 10km nominated race of the Winter series with top points going to Julie King who was only three seconds outside of her stated time of 44:20 with Jonathon Norton second just five seconds inside of his time of 1:00:59.
Image: © Sarah Sharp
