It was a startline full of local running royalty that turned out in front of County Hall in Newport for the first of this years Easter races. Lining up amongst the 163 starters were marathon winners, half marathon victors, Hampshire League champions and Island Games medalists, thus promising an exciting battle for the top spots.
The weather held off as a sea of smiley runners gathered just off Coppins Bridge for the off.
First run in 1933, this race used to go by road from the Town Hall in Newport to the Town Hall in Ryde. The course however, has changed several times over the years to maintain runners safety and now takes a more multi terrain route through Barton, New Fairlee Farm, Belmont Woods, Lakeside, Firestone Copse and finishing for the first time this year at Ryde School.
The recent rainy days made for some interesting conditions underfoot as the Runners left the road and embarked through the woods.
“Muddy, muddy, mud!” exclaimed George Butler on Facebook later in the day
But it didn’t deter the warriors in white, blue and red from absolutely smashing it.
New signing, Ben Douglas, (brother of existing member Michael), certainly made an entrance on his club debut as he romped home to take the top spot, fighting off some stiff competition in just under 42 and a half minutes. Next in was Paul Cameron in 5th place continuing his long awaited return from injury to claim 1st V45. Bill Goozee was next home in 8th with Ross Wilkes in 10th.
In the ladies race Holly Newton maintained her good form by storming home in 4th overall with Hayley Baxter in 5th and Jenny Dewing coming over the line in 10th.
There were prize winners galore in the age categories too, with Ben Douglas, Paul Cameron and Tarnia Eldridge emerging victorious in theirs, Harry Rann, Hayley Baxter and Due Hunter grabbing 2nd and newly returned member Stuart Backhouse and Jodie Wilmott taking 3rd in theirs.
Ben Douglas – 42.26
Paul Cameron – 44.24
Bill Goozee – 47.06
Ross Wilkes – 48.01
Dean Pike – 49.42
Stuart Backhouse – 50.11
Harry Rann – 51.32
George Butler – 53.37
Gordon Mucklow – 55.43
Tom Forster – 56.23
Richard Bezer – 56.35
Holly Newton – 56.47
Hayley Baxter – 58.38
Paul Martin – 1.00.03
Jenny Dewing – 1.02.24
Giorgio Marinelli – 1.04.04
Tarnia Eldridge – 1.04.05
Emma Ford – 1.05.40
Keith Ruth – 1.05.47
Jodie Wilmott – 1.07.59
Steve Hickman – 1.08.48
Julie Ray – 1.10.57
Claire Howard – 1.10.57
Ivan Ward – 1.12.25
Sarah Ward – 1.12.26
Julia Parker – 1.14.12
Nick Carter – 1.15.44
Caroline Curliss – 1.18.07
Callie Hatcher – 1.18.57
Bridget Keyte – 1.21.25
Dawn Pointer – 1.23.37
Bel Rockall – 1.23.38
Sue Hunter – 1.23.47
The team competition was dominated by the runners in the red, white and blue vests with 5 full teams both the ladies and men. The Roadrunners took the 1st and 3rd positions in both the ladies and men’s competitions for the second year in a row. What a treasure haul!
Mens Teams
1st B.Douglas, P.Cameron, B.Goozee
3rd R.Wilkes, D.Pike, H.Rann
5th G.Butler, G.Mucklow, T.Forster
8th R.Bezer, P.Martin, K.Ruth
11th S.Hickman, I.Ward, N.Carter
Ladies Teams
1st H.Newton, H.Baxter, J.Dewing
3rd T.Eldridge, E.Ford, J.Wilmott
6th J.Ray, C.Howard, S.Ward
8th J.Parker, C.Hatcher, B.Keyte
9th D.Pointer, B.Rockall, S.Hunter
Great day of running guys – well done
