With a successful club turn-out for the 2015 Brighton Marathon we had an even bigger contingent of IOWRR’s complete it this year – 36!

Clear blue skies and sunshine for spectators and racers, with low temperatures making it perfect marathon weather.

After a successful debut the Ashford & District Marathon & Half Marathon returns to Kent for a second year. This rural marathon and half marathon uses the quiet lanes surrounding Ashford, Westwell and Charing with a section along the Pilgrims Way. The marathon is a two-lap scenic multi-terrain course with half marathon runners covering a single lap. We had Michael Coultrup complete the full and Steve Hickman the half. The course is undulating but fast.

Bespoke medals and finish line goodies for all finishers.

Mick – 7th – 03:30:19 (Out of 82 competitors)

Steve – 53rd – 01:55:58 (Out of 144 competitors)

IOWRR Danny Faulkner travelled to France to partake in the 40th Paris Marathon, one of the largest marathons in the world.

This mostly flat picturesque marathon attracted a phenomenal 46,200 runners, a massive 140 nationalities represented. The weather was perfect; bright sunshine and mild temperatures. The race starts at the avenue de Champs Elysee, with the masses queuing up to an hour to cross the start line. Then the runners head down the Rue de Rivoli, and to the outskirts of east Paris into the nicknamed “Paris Lungs”, finishing in the leafy Bois de Vincennes, which is also Paris’ largest park. Runners are treated to an incomparable backdrop, with spectacular views and historic landmarks, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Arc du Triomphe, and the Tuileries tunnels mile 17.

Danny completed Paris Marathon with a PB time of 2 hours 57 minutes and 2 seconds – amazing running, well done Danny! Which was a 628th.

Steve Morris partook in the Vitality Reading Half Marathon. The new faster flatter course of 2015 was utilised again due to popular demand.

Runners commenced the race in the stunning parkland of Green Park and continued round the highlights of the town centre of Reading experiencing huge crowd support whilst also passing through beautiful grounds of the University campus. The final straight took them into the magnificent Madejski Stadium where they experienced a finish like no other.

The race is perfect for both the experienced athlete looking for a new PB and the complete beginner looking for a friendly safe and fun environment to run in. The new course from 2015 with minor undulations, being very conducive to PB’s, attracts a field of 19,500 runners with one of the largest elite fields another attraction being the biggest individual prize pot in UK road racing with a guaranteed prize fund of £30,000.

Steve finished in a time of 01:54:21 in 3870th position – brilliant!

One IOWRR, Darren Cole had the chance to run in the footsteps of some of the greatest and future stars of our sport. He took part in the Cardiff Half Marathon World Championships, which was set to be one of the most prestigious and enthralling UK endurance events of the year. There were a massive 54 countries represented and 16,000 participants to include elite men and women.

The race started outside Cardiff Castle before runners then head down past Cardiff City Stadium on the way to Penarth. They take in the glorious Penarth Marina before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay. Runners run right through the heart of the bay taking in the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre. The course then heads towards the north of the city with runners completing a loop of the beautiful Roath Park Lake before the grandstand finish on King Edward V11 Avenue amid a number of Cardiff University’s most impressive university buildings.

The weather was atrocious with high winds and torrential rain. A few undulations but lots of support from the crowds of Cardiff. All televised on BBC1.

Darren completed in a time of 1:39:53 in a position of 2013 – a superb run in tough conditions, awarded with an Adidas Welsh T-shirt and Cardiff Castle medal.

The final Easter Weekend race again hosted by Ryde Harriers this time traversing to the other side of the Island with the start and finish of the Three Hills being the sports fields of West Wight Sport Centre in Freshwater. Storm Katie had luckily subsided mostly for the midday start, with winds gusting up to 106 mph off the Needles at 5am.

A hardy 22 IOWRR took part and were triumphant in their medal haul also:

So age category-wise:

Matt 3rd V40, Roger 2nd V60, Sarah 1st V40, Victoria 3rd V35,  Fay 1st V55.

We also had teams 5 mens teams of three and 2 womens teams of three – brilliant work!!

The first race of the Easter Weekend was hosted by Ryde Harriers. The course is an undulating one following mostly paths and tracks starting from the Council offices in Newport and finishing in Ryde High School playing fields:

We had 20 IOWRR’s turn out to race with lots more helping Ryde Harriers and supporting the runners.

A huge well done to Paul for 2nd Man home and 1st in the V40 age cat. closely followed by Pete Sexton 1st V50, Andy McArthur 2nd V45, Garry Sharp 3rd V45 and Steve Bennett 3rd V55. For the ladies Margaret came 2nd V50, Calli first Junior Woman, Julie Rasmussen 2nd V45, Sarah Sharp 2nd V40 and Sue Hunter 1st V60. Team-wise we got 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th Mens Team and 3rd and 4th Womens Teams. A superb set of results and brilliant team turn-out!

This was the second year of the Memorial Rog Run. It was another blustery one for those braving the elements to complete the hilly Ventnor run.

The rain ceased for the 11am departure from the seafront, the route continued up to the top of the downs and back to the seafront via Bonchurch.

We had trophies for the closest Male and Female to their estimated times for the 7.5 mile course. Also a team trophy donated by Rogers family for the closest combined three. A pair of Hoka shoes for the closest male and female with Easter eggs going to the first over the line and top team.

Results as follows:

So first home was Trish Train and Paul Cameron with the winners of the nominated times being Ian Russell and Elaine Harris, with winning team “Snot Rockets” consisting of Lou Dover, Matt Fletcher and Nick Scott-Denness.

There was no entry fee just donations which are to be split between Rogers chosen two charities – Macmillan Cancer Support and SSAFA. A massive £355 was raised – thank you all, also a massive thank you to those who helped time keep, back-mark and marshall. A great day I’m sure he’d be proud of.

Club Secretary Keith Ruth travelled to London to partake in the second Vitality North London Half Marathon. This event takes place across the London Boroughs of Brent and Barnet.

13.1 miles of closed London roads, a few undulations starting from Bridge Road, Wembley travelling as far as Allianz Park, home of the Saracens Rugby, and then back to finish inside Wembley Stadium with an expected 8,000 runners.

Results:

Position: 2182 – Chip Time: 01:48:35