Thanks to Tom for this update from Ryde Harriers running cluc. Ed
The hottest day of the year so far didn’t provide the most welcoming conditions for runners competing in Sunday’s D-Day 10k in Portsmouth or in the Needles XC half-marathon. Ryde Harriers managed to field athletes in both races with a mix of results, as some coped better than others with the heat and humidity.
D-Day 10k
In Portsmouth, four Harriers took part in this new addition to the Hampshire Road Race League, the final event in fact. Men’s captain Pete Still anchored the team home in 45:34, closely followed by Mandy Womack in 47:18 showing she had recovered well from the previous Sunday’s Olympic-distance triathlon.
Brian Warren and John Randles completed the quartet finishing with times of 50:03 and 56:47 respectively. Islander Joe Wade, who runs for Aldershot, Farnham and District won the race in 31:33, an impressive minute in front of any other runner.
Needles XC half-marathon
Over in Freshwater, Isle of Wight Road Runner Paul Cameron won the Needles XC half-marathon with Kris Rowdon 1:37:31 the top finisher of the Harriers team.
Good runs too for Andy Keehn 2:10:28 and Sally Roberts 2:16:22, but Tom Blackwell was disappointed with his performance of 1:41:06 after an early bout of nausea, but he fared better than two club members who pulled out due to sickness and injury mid-race.
Recent club night
The most recent club night event was a 3,000m race in Sandown and the runners showed the power of the track with another batch of personal bests for Sarah Kavanagh, Simon Newman and Tom Blackwell.
The best finish of the race came from Phillippa Daley, running in her first ever track race, she held off the experienced Steve Lee as he tried to sneak up on her in the final lap.
Next club event
The next club event in another track run in Sandown or a nominated road run from Ryde Rowing club with both events 10k in distance.
Also coming up are the club 10 mile championships (24/6) with non-club members welcome to join the race (they will not be able to compete for trophies though) and the Brading 10k.
The Brading race is an open event with entry forms and links available on the Ryde Harriers website or on the day at race HQ – Smallbrook Stadium.
