St George. Roman soldier. The slayer of the dragon. The patron saint of England. Made so in 1327 by King Edward III because he embodied everything that he wanted his England to be… Powerful and Warlike.
That’s exactly what every runner had to be on this beast of a race. Relentless undulation peppered with some epic climbs makes this course a true challenge of grit, strength and determination.
150 runners lined up under the golden arch at St. George’s School, to begin upon on the rude awakening of the uphill start.
Off they went into Watergate Road for a little respite before they embarked upon the first big climb of the race in the shape of Nunnery Lane.
But the effort was worth it as the runners were treated to their first vista of the race with a panoramic view of Carisbrooke Castle. The overcast skies began to break and the sun began peeping through the clouds making an already muggy day even warmer. Onward, the runners made their way along the course to Gatcombe. Supporters, friends and family popping up along the route to cheer.
But then the real business began as the runners arrived in sunny Chillerton. All they had to do way get to the top of this beast of a hill (all 2 miles of it), and they’d be making the downhill turn for home.
At Berry Lane the insurmountable rise had been conquered by all. Each one of the runners slaying their own dragon as they reached the summit. The drinks and waterguns at the top were a sight for sore eyes (as was the view) as the runners then descended back toward Gatcombe.
Although the race was half run and the worse of the ascents behind them, the continuous ups and downs of the last few miles was draining for most of our plucky competitors as the humidity started to take its toll. More so for 2 of our Roadrunners as they both got stung by flying beasts. Poor Laura Holme took a bee sting in her mouth (Yes!! Actually inside!!) and Ladies Captain Julie Ray took a sting to her face which made it go numb. Despite this, the determined duo battled on right to the finish.
This year’s overall winner was Joe Wade, in an amazing 59.12 with Andrew Quigley from Fetch Everyone in 1.02.18 coming in 2nd and 3rd place went to Cole Pearce of Ryde Harriers in 1.02.42.
In the ladies race Kathryn Bailey smashed the ladies course record previously held by IWRR’s Carla Plowden-Roberts, in a phenomenal 1.07.32. 2nd place went to Ryde Harriers’ Charlie Metcalfe, fresh from her spectacular performance at the Island Games, blasting around the course in a mere 1.09.01 with Elizabeth Steward of Denmead Striders taking 3rd position in 1.15.44
Full results can be found here – https://www.fullonsport.com/event/st-georges-10-mile-road-race-2017/results
For the Roadrunners it was Bill Goozee to cross the line first to come in just under 63 minutes and a fantastic 4th overall. Simon Pilcher was next over the line to take 8th, Tom Forster in 10th and Michael Douglas in 12th. For the ladies it was Ashleigh Douglas who stormed in first for the Roadrunners in just over 83 minutes and 7th lady , followed by Julie Dixon in just under 85 and 8th place, Sarah Holmes 45 seconds later in 9th and Benita Kochanowska in 10th.
In they came, one by one, hot, tired and exhausted but almost all of our trusty Roadrunners giving it one last push with everything they had left to sprint to the finish line. I say almost all, Nick Kenney decided to do a forward roll across the line!
All that was left to do was present the hard earnt trophies, buy out the cake stalls wares and regale each other with stories of how we won’t be running it next year because it’s so challenging…
But the tougher the race, the sweeter the reward. They all came and saw and conquered the hills, they conquered the dragon!
Tomorrow is another day… the tiredness will have faded and the pain forgotten about. The senses of pride and achievement with will be all that remains… for they all became St. George for the day.
IWRR Results
Bill Goozee – 1.02.48 – 3rd SM
Simon Pilcher – 1.04.36 – 2nd V30
Tom Forster – 1.08.11 – 3rd V30
Michael Douglas – 1.09.28 – 4th SM
Kieron Snow – 1.12.16 – 5th V40
Simon Riley – 1.13.32
Tim Cordery – 1.15.15
Ian Russell – 1.18.37
Dave Cass – 1.22.30 – 2nd V50
Ashleigh Douglas – 1.23.12 – 2nd SF
Richard Bezer – 1.23.15
George Butler – 1.24.02
Julie Dixon – 1.24.56 – 4th V35
Donnachadh Deasy – 1.25.09
Sarah Holmes – 1.25.41 – 5th V35
Benita Kochanowska – 1.27.16 – 3rdV45
Adam Morris – 1.28.24
Claire Howard – 1.29.37 – 4th V45
Richard Whittington – 1.32.00
James Shoulder – 1.33.22
Martin Keyworth – 1.34.04
Charlotte Williams – 1.34.44
Katherine King – 1.36.14
Pete Dixon – 1.37.05
Jane Andrew – 1.38.50 – 2nd V55
Nick Kenney – 1.39.25
David Smith – 1.43.11
Julie Ray – 1.43.26
Steve Hunt – 1.44.27
Sarah Delaney – 1.44.58
Tracy Pole – 1.46.24
Jessica Hill – 1.46.33
Laura Holme – 1.48.28
Belinda Rockall – 1.49.09
Dawn Pointer – 1.49.27
Sue Hunter – 1.49.53 – 4th V55
Misha Hetherington- 1.50.09
Bianca Johnston – 1.54.27
Shelley Harris – 2.05.30
Lyn Snow – 2.17.41 – 5thV55
Team Positions
Men
2nd – Bill Goozee, Simon Pilcher, Tom Forster
4th – Michael Douglas, Kieron Snow, Simon Riley
Ladies
2nd – Ashleigh Douglas, Julie Dixon, Sarah Holmes
3rd – Benita Kochanowska, Claire Howard, Charlotte Williams
5th – Jane Andrew, Julie Ray, Sarah Delaney
See you next year ……
