Thanks to Alan for sending through this report from Sunday’s Isle of Wight Marathon. In his own words. Ed
Host club Ryde Harriers tasted triple success in this year’s IW Marathon. Starting at Ryde Boating Lake runners completed a circuit through Binstead, Wootton, Pan, Arreton, Lake and Brading before descending back into Ryde.
At Wootton, Ryde Harrier Leslie Cupis was looking strong in second place. Meanwhile Mary-Louise Norman (R.H.) was looking comfortable in 18th place overall.
As the field of some 100 competitors made their way to Newport the sun began to shine and the temperature rose steadily.
55th year for the marathon
At the finish Les Cupis took the tape in 3:06:40, becoming only the second man in Harriers colours to triumph in this race which has been run for 55 years. Les was almost eight minutes ahead of runner up Kevin Balchin of Stratford A.C. who clocked 3:14:26.
Two other Island men finished inside the Top Ten: Stuart Backhouse was 4th in 3:16:55 and edged out Eric Smith by just one second!
Islander Mary-Louise Norman came home 13th overall to take the ladies title in 3:27:57. Mary-Louise, the reigning ladies champion, also won in 2003 and 2004.
With Les Cupis leading the way, club mates Ian Cullingworth 16th in 3:32:24 and Simon Newman 37th in 3:55:59 secured the men’s team trophy for Ryde Harriers.
