Thanks to Alan Whitewood for this report from the Isle of Wight Marathon that took place on Sunday. Ed
Ryde Harrier Les Cupis put in a spirited defence of his title on Sunday having won last year’s Isle of Wight Marathon. Unfortunately he was outclassed by Woodstock Harrier Dominic Croft, who previously won the race in 1996, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Dominic was in a class of his own as he gradually stretched his lead over the course of the 26 miles 385 yards circuit of East Wight. He breasted the tape on Ryde sea front in two hours 41 minutes 40 seconds.
Crispin and Les took second and third
Runner up Crispin Allen (Stragglers) clocked 2:58:24. Les Cupis finished third, five minutes faster than his winning time of last year, posting a time of 3:01:41. Les had occupied third place for most of the race.
At 15 miles Les had just a one second advantage over his team mate Kristian Rowden but that was the closest Kristian would get. Eventually Kristian followed Les home in fourth place, recording 3:06:49.
Eight in top ten all over 40 years old
Showing that age and experience counts in Marathon running the first six runners were all over forty (veterans). In fact eight veterans filled the Top Ten places with over 60 veteran Kenneth Fancett from Beckenham Running Club 7th overall in 3:13:22.
Dominic has now won the race five times, a feat only bettered by Paul Rogers of Tipton Harriers who was victorious on 7 occasions.
Good timings for others
Other notable performances by Island men were: 8th Stuart Backhouse, IW Road Runners 3:14:28, 13th Eric Smith IWRR 3:22:41 and 14th Steve Gratton Wight Tri 3:22:53.
Ryde Harriers trio of Les Cupis, Kristian Rowden and Rob Cooch- 22nd in 3:35:57- secured the Joan Tait Cup as the Top Men’s Team. In the process they equalled Woodstock Harriers record of 11 titles.
Helen Bennett takes Ladies title
96 runners finished the race with the ladies title being taken by Helen Bennett (20th place overall) in 3:27:14 for AVS Tri.
Last year’s ladies champion Mary Norman (Ryde Harriers) was fourth placed lady in 3:54:51 followed home by her team mate Tracy Dillon 4:09:44.
Organised by host club Ryde Harriers the IW Marathon consists of a one lap course from Ryde Boating Lake to Binstead, Wootton, Staplers, Pan, Arreton, Lake, Sandown, Brading and Elmfield back to Ryde sea front.
First run in 1957 this year’s Marathon was the 56th consecutive race. Since 1976 the ladies have had their own race, run in tandem with the men’s race over the same course.
Image: Ken Fancett – 1st over 60 veteren runner.
