Glorious sunshine welcomed competitors to the latest Hampshire Cross Country League fixture, but the beautiful conditions belied a beast of a route on the frosty fields of Popham Airfield.
Another large contingent of Island runners made the short trip over to the popular Gosport half-marathon on Sunday to join the capacity field of 2,000.
Sunday’s IW Marathon, organised by Ryde Harriers, and run over a circular course from the Community Club, Cowes via Shalfleet to the West Wight and back, saw just two runners break the three hour barrier.