Fun filled and family oriented, this weekend had something for everyone. Although the Needles Half Marathon itself has been operating for many years, for 2017 the event had been expanded to cover a whole weekend.
From junior fun runs to a full on (and this is fullon, full on!) marathon there was a distance to suit everyone.
Entertainment in the form of live music, a climbing wall, couch to 5k lessons (given by our very own Julie Dixon) and even an outdoor screening of the inspirational film Chariots of Fire were all on offer alongside the included camping.
So to kick off the events was the 5 and 10k races. Both courses twisting and turning around the footpaths of the Freshwater countryside.
In the 5k we had brothers-in-law Dave Cass and Dave Smith flying the road runners flag.
Dave Cass flew home in a fantastic 22.02 and 6th place overall and top dog in his V50 category, with Smith not too far behind in 9th and 25.55 and 2nd in his age
The 10k and hour later saw both Daves back on the startline, but this time accompanied by a few more fellow roadrunners.
Nick Kenney was the first roadrunner across the line in 6th place and a speedy 42.46 giving him 2nd place in his age category. This was his last competitive outing before his Island Games quest at the end of this month. Dan Williams was the next in to claim the top spot in his age catagory, followed by Cass who secured 2nd place V50. Harry Vernon was the next white, blue and red vest to make it home in a cracking 50.37 and 3rd in the V50.
Next in were all the girls. Sara Truckel is storming back to form and crossed the line as 2nd place lady with Katie MacKenzie not too far behind her in 3rd and Kelly Forster closely following in 4th. Margaret Niland Murphy closed the bidding for the ladies team coming over the line in a nifty 9th place with Dave Smith coming in in 57.33 to complete the team.
5k
Dave Cass-22.02
Dave Smith-25.55
10k
Nick Kenney-42.46
Dan Williams-45.18
Dave Cass-48.19
Harry Vernon-50.37
Sara Truckel-52.33
Katie MacKenzie-52.56
Kelly Forster-54.47
Margaret Niland Murphy-56.49
Dave Smith-57.33
