There is something about us modern humans….. we love free stuff. We are never happier than when we’ve found something the sale or got a great 3 for 2 deal or find a buy one get one free offer.
To keep modern runner types happy, the Ryde Harriers have carefully crafted us a race. You get free stuff. “You do?” I hear you all cry… I’m not talking a medal, a mug or a coaster, (and certainly not an ashtray! #Bramley).
Nooooo…. this clever ploy promises 3 but actually gives you 5… sounds like a good deal right?
Well it would be if the item in question wasn’t in the shape of a hill. The West Wight 3 Hills race, promises 3 but actually delivers you 5. What a total misnomer! And it’s not 5 slopes either. It’s 5 brutal, unadulterated climbs of 900ft over the 8 mile distance.
Held every Easter Monday since the early 80s this challenging course was the brainchild of the Harriers’ current Chairman’s father. It was originally marshalled by local Boy Scouts. And what a fantastic idea it was to hold a race of this length on Easter Monday. It weirdly will burn off almost the exact amount of calories contained in an average size Easter Egg. WIN! No wonder 143 runners signed up to face the challenge.
Beautiful patches of Spring sunshine bathed the eager runners on the startline at the West Wight Sports Centre in Freshwater. Great turnout from not just the local clubs, but plenty of mainland runners too. Obviously making the most of an Easter jaunt to the sunny Isle of Wight.
Starting at the Sports Centre the course went straight into the 1st little hill through to Norton and then back down into Freshwater. Then off up to Golden a Hill Fort and continuing up, (Yes! still going up!) to Headon Warren. A little bit of downhill relief as they made their way along to Alum Bay, bracing themselves for the hill that no-one can run all the way up …. Highdown.
By this time, the poor runners are heavy legged and they still have the longest climb to go. But up they went! All the way up to the glorious Tennyson Monument to be rewarded with a whole mile of downhill to pick up their pace and get themselves back to the finish at the Sports Centre.
First back was Simon Randall in a speedy 55.23 giving him an overall position of 9th. Hot on his heels was Andy MacArthur, only 12 seconds behind him, to finish in 11th. Matt Fletcher ran another consistent race to cross the line next in 59.26
First Lady home was Rosie Sexton in a spritely 1.01.02. Superb performance from her, especially after her brilliant run on Saturday in the Newport to Ryde race. A flurry of IWRR girls then crossed the line with Judy McCabe in 4th, Sharon McNally in 5th, Hayley Baxter in 7th and Julie Dixon in 8th. Making it obvious that the girls in white, red and blue vests had taken the team competition top spots.
No fewer than 10 Roadrunners secured a top 3 position in their age categories. Particular well done to Rosie Sexton, Sharon McNally and Judy McCabe for coming numero uno in theirs.
Also pats on the back For Ian Russell, Hayley Baxter, Julie Dixon, Calvin Wright, Julie Rasmussen, Adam Morris, George Butler, Dan Williams and Rachel Dempsey who all ran the course quicker than they had previously.
Despite the difficulty of the course, it was smiles all round at the finish line as runners were presented with their congratulatory bottle of local ale to hydrate.
S.Randall – 55.23
A.MacArthur – 55.35
M.Fletcher – 59.26
D.Williams – 1.00.40
N.Kenney – 1.00.48
G.Mucklow – 1.01.00
R.Sexton – 1.01.02
P.Sexton – 1.01.03
I.Russell – 1.02.04
J.McCabe – 1.02.34
S.Bennett – 1.02.34
S.McNally – 1.03.20
M.Kimber – 1.04.32
J.Doughty – 1.04.36
H.Baxter – 1.05.55
C.Wright – 1.06.30
J.Dixon – 1.07.13
A.Morris – 1.08.38
G.Butler – 1.08.37
K.Rann – 1.08.37
K.Ruth – 1.09.32
J.Dewing – 1.11.35
M.Coultrup – 1.11.35
T.Eldridge – 1.13.13
L.Upstell – 1.13.30
C.Williams – 1.13.32
L.Dover – 1.14.03
I.Dyer – 1.14.08
T.Martin – 1.15.46
P.Butcher – 1.16.03
A.Batchelor – 1.18.14
S.Hickman – 1.18.45
P. Dixon – 1.20.00
J.Rasmussen – 1.20.13
J.Ray – 1.20.23
M. Hetherington – 1.20.34
S.Sharp – 1.20.46
R.Dempsey – 1.23.51
I.Williams – 1.25.05
B.Keyte – 1.32.03
L.Deville – 1.32.58
D.Pointer – 1.36.45
B.Rockall – 1.36.45
S.Brennen – 1.37.51
Mens Teams
1st S.Randall, A.MacArthur, M.Fletcher
4th D.Williams, N.Kenney, G.Mucklow
6th P.Sexton, I.Russell, S.Bennett
8th M.Kimber, C.Wright, A.Morris
11th G.Butler, K.Rann, K.Ruth
12th M.Coultrup, I.Dyer, T.Martin
14th P.Butcher, S.Hickman, P.Dixon
Ladies Teams
1st R.Sexton, J.McCabe, S.McNally
2nd H.Baxter, J.Dixon, J.Dewing
4th T.Eldridge, L.Upstell, C.Williams
6th L.Dover, A.Batchelor, J.Rasmussen
7th J.Ray, M.Hetherington, S.Sharp
9th R.Dempsey, B.Keyte, L.Deville
10th D.Pointer, B.Rockall, S.Brennen
