Thanks to Tom for this latest report from the Ryde Harriers. Ed
There have been a number of noteworthy performances from Island athletes this season with participation up as well.
A bright, but breezy day welcomed the Island contingent to the undulating environs of Kings Park with IWAC juniors plus seniors from Ryde Harriers and Wight Tri in attendance once again. On initial inspection the course seemed the most innocuous of the season with large sections of flat ground, but there were still stings to be found especially for the senior men who had four laps to contemplate the worse aspects of the 2.5 kilometres of parkland and woods.
As ever, the junior races opened the programme with Mabel Lewis finishing 10th in the under 11 girls. The under 13 boys came next and Henry McLuckie finished his season in style with a brilliant second place secured by a strong sprint finish. Henry anchored home the team who finished a superb third place in the league. This was matched by their colleagues in the under 17 boys team who were lead home by Sam Metcalf.
In the senior races Ryde Harriers women finished 8th in their league, above a range of bigger and supposedly stronger clubs. The final race saw their captain Sarah Kavanagh break into the top twenty for the first time with a 19th place finish. Other team members Rosie Eldridge and Elaine Parry also finished the season strongly, Elaine being ever-present on her debut season. In the men’s race the first Islander home was Wight Tri’s Sean Williams who finished in 50th place.
Wight Tri couldn’t match the team challenge from Ryde Harriers though as Ryde managed hold their third place in Division 3 with the triathlon club finishing in 4th. Ever-presents for Ryde were Tom Blackwell and Andy Leal with Les Cupis finishing as 23rd in the vets overall positions for the season.
