Thanks to Tom for this latest report from the Ryde Harriers. Ed
Ryde Harriers were competing for the annual Alan Reed Memorial Trophy on their latest Tuesday night club event. The trophy is presented to the runner with the closest finishing time to their nomination for the approximately five mile course.
The route goes out along the sea front to Seaview before turning back along a hilly section through Nettlestone, Pondwell and Bullen Road.
Victory for Simon McMorran
This year’s winner was Simon McMorran, fresh from a great run in the London Marathon. Simon was just 14 seconds inside his nomination of 37 minutes.
Second place went to Julie King and third was Graham Skelly.
Easter runs
Over Easter weekend the Harriers organised the annual duo of testing off-road runs starting with Saturday’s Newport to Ryde.
Originally a road race, the course now winds along paths, tracks and a little bit of road with some tough hills at points. This year, runners were rewarded with excellent ground conditions, perfect weather and two sections of bluebell-filled woods to enjoy.
Winner of the men’s race was Ben Douglas for Durham University. Ben, who is an Islander but runs for in his university colours, was running less than a week after a brilliant run in the London Marathon. He finished in 42.23 with Paul Cameron 2nd in 43.48 and Ryde Harrier Paul Cooke in third.
Great result for the women
In the women’s race Ryde had a dominant performance taking four of the top five positions with Sarah Kavanagh in first place, Yolanda Gratton from Nene Valley second and Julie King third.
Both men’s and women’s team prizes went to Ryde.
West Wight Three Hills
A very competitive field lined up for the second race on Easter Monday. The West Wight Three Hills is close to being a fell run with the course either going up or down what feels like more than three hills.
The warm conditions offered a change from the previous year’s strong cold winds.
Winner in the men’s race was Scott Edgington who runs for Southampton A.C. with Paul Cameron having to settle for another second place with Wight Tri’s Jack Grundy in third.
The women’s race was won by Jackie Perrin from Reading Road Runners with Elzbieta Jeczen second and Sarah Kavanagh in third. Wight Tri fielded an excellent spread of runners to take both first and third in the men’s and second in the women’s. Isle of Wight Road Runners took second prize in the men’s and third in the women’s with the women’s team trophy going to Ryde Harriers.
Legend raced in Newport to Ryde Race
The Newport to Ryde race also featured an athletics legend in the field in the shape of Mike Gratton. Mike won the 1983 London Marathon as well as a bronze medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games. He still runs for the Canterbury-based Invicta AC and finished Saturday’s race in 59.22.
Next club event is the annual club 10k championship Tuesday 29th April at 7.30pm.
