80 mph winds faced our brave Roadrunners as they lined up to face this hilly and chilly, (the name doesn’t lie!), 10 miler on Sunday. A hard run but anyone’s standards, not withstanding that many on the startline had attended the club’s annual awards party the night before.
Beginning at the West Wight Sports Centre, the runners were given the okay from the Coastguards to begin their challenge and off they went in to the storm force wind. Along to Freshwater Bay they went and onto the most exposed clifftops on the Island, Tennyson. A tough hill to climb at the best of times, but the conditions were brutal, making every step an effort.
But they made it to the turn at the Needles Battery and a tiny bit of respite before clambering up Headon Warren and onward to Totland.
They were diverted from the original sea wall section at Colwell for safety reasons before making their way back to the Sports Centre for complimentary mince pies and mulled wine.
Simon Pilcher was the 1st Roadrunner back in a fantastic 8th overall and just under 74 minutes. Super Junior Harry Rann was next home in 10th, with Kieron Snow making a fantastic comeback after a hamstring injury.
Holly Newton reigned supreme, winning the ladies race and coming 23rd overall.
“Well that lived upto expectation! Tough course, tough weather, but I really enjoyed it” she said
Hayley Baxter was the next lady over the line in 4th place and Jodie Wilmott in 5th, a bit battered by the elements but pleased with their performances.
Everyone made it home in one piece, all 32 of them. Having perversely enjoyed the death defying conditions.
“It was hard going, but we all loved it in a strange way!” said Alison Butcher
Simon Pilcher 1.13.46 (8th overall)
Harry Rann 1.15.46 (10th overall 2nd Junior male)
Kieron Snow 1.20.58 (1st V40)
Andy MacArthur 1.21.41 (4th V45)
Darren Cole 1.23.04
Holly Newton 1.23.24 (1st Lady 23rd overall)
Dan Williams 1.23.57
Tom Forster 1.24.16
David Blake 1.24.34
Mike Kimber 1.27.59
Darren Andrew 1.28.34
Hayley Baxter 1.28.56 (4th Lady 1st V40)
Gordon Mucklow 1.30.35
Jodie Wilmott 1.30.52 (5th Lady 1st V35)
Peter Wilmott 1.30.53
Richard Bezer 1.31.37
Dallas Price 1.32.14
Darren Dollery 1.32.47
Harry Vernon 1.40.59
Margaret Niland-Murphy 1.41.19 (2nd V50)
Jenny Dewing 1.45.25
Charlotte Williams 1.45.45
Steve Hickman 1.49.14
Ian Williams 1.51.50
Claire Howard 1.52.13
Jane Andrew 1.52.13 (2nd V50)
Dave Wilcock 1.55.41
Sue Hunter 1.56.11
Peter Dixon 1.57.46
Alison Butcher 2.05.00
Julie Salter 2.05.00
Paul Butcher 2.05.00
