Thanks to Tom for this latest report from the Ryde Harriers. Ed
Ryde Harriers celebrated another year of running success with their annual awards night at Yelf’s Hotel.
Winners of the four main awards were from across the club ranks with the Runners’ Runner going to Samantha Fancourt for her excellent improvements in the 2015, as voted by her club mates.
The other three awards were decided by the committee, with Club Person of the Year going to Graham Maitland for his huge effort to get the new Website up and running.
The Female Athlete of the Year went to Julie King for consistent wins and excellent times in her age group along with representing the Island at this year’s Island Games.
Male Athlete of the Year went to Jonathan Norton for his brilliant performance in the Milton Keynes Marathon, where he gained a national ranking with his sub-4 hour time. Norton dedicated his award to his coach and fellow Vet 70 Steve Lee.
There was a final extra award for Les Cupis for his outstanding run in the Lakeland 100, recognised by the club as an extraordinary achievement. Along with their trophies, the winners were awarded keep-sakes fashioned from Ryde Pier timber by Gordy’s Wood Co.
Three marathons
There have been some good performances from Ryde Harriers in three different half marathons.
Mike Dignan competed in the Bournemouth Half and finished in a time of 1:54:01, whilst Rob Wilkinson took on the Robin Hood Half in Nottingham and finished in 1:47.
Finally Sally Roberts was back in her old stomping ground to take part in the Bridlington Half Marathon and managed to match her personal best exactly, three years on from setting it at Gosport, her finishing time was 1:46:39.
Hants XC League season
The first fixture of the new Hants XC League season saw Harriers women’s and men’s teams competing.
For the women Sarah Kavanagh came home in a very respectable 40th place with a time of 27.29. Next in was Tracey Dillon running her first Cross Country League race finishing in 28.52 for 62nd place, and Elaine Parry next home in 30.39 for 80th place, a considerable pb from last year’s Farley race. These performances saw the Ladies team very well placed in 10th position in their league.The men’s team with six runners making the start line.
First home was Jake Brougham in 112th with a great time of 41.09. Beating Tom Blackwell, who finished in a decent time of 43.18 and 162th. Next in was Pete Young, solid as ever, in 172nd place with a time of 44.06. Andy Keehn improved on his previous year’s performance to come 213th with a time of 47.36.
Rowland Sillito was next home, in 222nd, 48.28. A good performance after a couple of months off due to injury and on his XC debut. Last home was Trevor McAllister in 227th and 48.58. Impressive, as only a week ago he was up to his nose in muddy water for Tough Mudder and, again, he was making his Hants XC debut. These performances leave the men well placed in 3rd place in Division 3.
The most recent club nights have seen first a 10k nominated run, won by Rosie Eldridge who was thirteen seconds inside her stated time of 50 minutes. Then, more recently, the first 5km handicap of the winter series saw thirty five runners competing with Steve Brougham winning for the men and Zoe Pattison for the women.
