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.
Although not true fell-running terrain the hills around Ventnor which will host the Isle of Wight Fell Running Series have some of the steepest climbs and descents in the South of England.
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.
The 2014/15 Hampshire cross-country league season came to a close with the fifth and final fixture held at Kings Park in Bournemouth on the second weekend in February.