Thanks to Tom for this latest report from Ryde Harriers. Ed
Ryde Harriers track races come to an end with the finale mile championship on 9th September and it’s been an enjoyable series for runners this year with the reappearance of two shorter events on the programme for the first time in ten years.
Excellent battle
Over two Tuesdays in August the club have run 800 and 400 metres with first up the 800 as twelve athletes lining up for the tough two laps.
There was an excellent battle between the first male and female runners for the outright winner of the race with Tom Blackwell at 2:18.4 just managing to hold off IWAC’s Carla Plowden-Roberts who finished in 2:21.6. Third was Grace Crumplin in 2:34.3 just ahead of another female/male battle as Sarah Kavanagh just eased in a second ahead of Andy Keehn.
Two weeks later and it was time for the 400m with this time a women’s and men’s race. The five athletes in the women’s race all ducked under ninety seconds with Sarah Kavanagh winning in 1:12.5 followed by Emily Wildon in 1:17.5 and Charlotte Pacy in 1:18.7.
In the men’s race Tom Blackwell just failed to break sixty seconds as he won the race in 1:01.5 with Simon Newman showing his strength in the final 100m to take second in 1:06.4 and Andy Leal third in 1:13.7.
First inter-Island club run
Away from the Harriers, Wednesday 27th August saw the first inter-Island club run with representatives present from all the Island’s running clubs. Arranged by West Wight Road Runners, 50 runners chose 4, 5 or 6 mile courses along the seafront from Shanklin to Sandown and back.
Isle of Wight Road Runners, Wight Tri, Ryde Harriers, Hash House Harriers and Isle of Wight AC were all present along with other participants from some of the more informal running groups that meet across the Island. It is hoped that this will be the first of many such runs.
IW Fell Running series
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September are the dates for this year’s IW Fell Running series in Ventnor.
There are three different races ranging from three to 12 miles and all starting from Ventnor Seafront. Race HQ is at St. Catherine’s School with entry forms available from www.rydeharriers.co.uk or you may enter on the day.
