After the warm temperatures of the previous days, could the runners be really unlucky and face one of the hottest days of the year so far. Of course they could! From the get go, the sun was shining full blast with not a wisp of a cloud to be seen.
Famously tough, the Needles half marathon course is just about as multi terrain as you can get. Tarmac, footpath, grass and sand all feature as this course winds its way around the 13.1 miles from the West Wight Sports Centre and back again. The full marathon following approximately 12 miles of the half course before disappearing into the surrounding countryside and it’s rolling hills.
9am came and the small field of marathoners were off….. out into the already blinding sunshine and heat.
The course took them off toward Norton and then along the beach at Totland before beginning the series of climbs at The Needles, Headon Warren and Tennyson Down. With some 362m of elevation between them it is really tough going.
After peeling off at Freshwater Bay, they embarked on their 2nd half of the journey. They continued onward toward Mottistone, Brighstone Forest and back toward Chessell another 425m of elevation facing them.
It was around this time that the Half Runners were given the off.
The sun was getting fiercer as midday approached making our runners uncomfortable despite the welcome breeze up on the high ground.
The half Runners quickly got stretched out in the first disturbingly flat 5 miles, before they started making their way up, then up, then up.
Hill upon hill upon hill piled on the pressure, but one by one they made their way around the course and to the final stages of each race.
They pushed through the pain and the heat until they emerged on to the field back at the West Wight Sports Centre and over the finish line.
In the marathon Stuart Backhouse smashed it. Despite having run a major marathon just the previous Sunday, placing 9th against some top class runners within it AND competing in the South Downs Relay the day before, Stu displayed his strength, his resilience and his class as an athlete to power his way around crossing the line in a triumphant 2nd place overall and 1st V40.
“My legs felt pretty good considering I’ve run 4 marathons in 6 weeks as well as the South Downs relay. The new route had more acsent then last year and therefore made it a harder course but I’m pleased l got 1st Islander home. That won me a voucher for a new pair of trainers from Love Running”
Dan Williams was next home to take 3rd despite battling cramp from 20 miles onward. Andy MacArthur also stormed it placing 4th. Like Stu, he had also run Dorchester Marathon in a stonking time just 7 day’s prior. Between the 2 of them the rest of the V40 trophies were swept up.
The next of the marathoners to cross underneath the welcome golden arch of the finish was young Ross Wilkes who finished in 8th overall and 3rd in his age category.
“Never, ever again!” He declared on Facebook later in the afternoon.
But let’s face it, that’s what all us marathoners say…. until the next time.
Hill lover Michael Coultrup was the next home, happy that he didn’t get lost this year and to take 2nd V50.
But the next runner to cross the line kind of stole the show….. Hayley Baxter. Despite having only run over 11 miles only once since October, she excelled herself to repeat her fantastic performance in last year’s IOW Marathon to emerge victorious. Yes that’s right! She only went and flipping won it!! AGAIN!!! A reigning double champion!
“I loved that today” she beams “I just felt so strong all the way around”
Harry, Ian, Lou, Tim and Steve all made it home safe….. some a little more worse for wear than others after the heat had taken its toll… but they made it.
Last but by no means least was club legend Sue Hunter, who ran brilliantly, completing the course in under 6 hours winning her age category.
In the half, Paul Cameron continued his recent return to form fly round the course to finish in a marvellous 2nd place and 1st V40.
Steve Rumsey was fresh from his victory in the 10k yesterday to finish 16th overall and 3rd V50.
In they came, one by one and two by two, all 36 of the white, blue and red vests. All having run their hearts out on those hills.
Particular mention goes to Steve Bennett who finished 2nd in his V60 category, Sarah Ward who was the 1st lady IWRR across the line, despite it being her first half marathon, and Nick Carter who competed in the maximum possible of 3 races over the weekend
“That was hot and tough” he tells me “but the support of the IWRR family was amazing”
Finally…a big well done to all the Roadrunners who gave up their weekend to volunteer. From marshalling, to giving out cold sponges, to backmarking, the Roadrunners gave up their time to support not only the event itself, but their fellow club mates, giving them the vital boost they need on a challenging run such as this. That is why we are quite simply the #bestrunningclubintheworld
Marathon
Stuart Backhouse – 3.33.12
Dan Williams – 3.40.13
Andy MacArthur – 3.45.50
Ross Wilkes – 4.10.04
Michael Coultrup – 4.11.30
Hayley Baxter – 4.13.47
Harry Rann – 4.15.47
Ian Russell – 4.19.18
Lou Howell – 4.51.11
Tim Cordery – 5.01.12
Steve Hickman – 5.11.00
Sue Hunter – 5.57.28
Half
Paul Cameron – 1.27.22
Steve Rumsey – 1.38.03
Nick Kenney – 1.40.56
Dean Pike – 1.41.22
Richard Harvey – 1.44.02
Steve Bennett – 1.50.28
Tim Keyte – 1.54.46
Noel Finn – 1.55.05
Darren Dollery – 1.56.14
Glen Jones – 2.00.16
Kevin Rann – 2.00.25
Ivan Ward – 2.04.02
Dallas Price – 2.05.39
Bill Goozee – 2.05.50
Sarah Ward – 2.09.59
Nick Dover – 2.14.30
Giorgio Marinelli – 2.14.30
Keith Ruth – 2.14.30
Jess Hill – 2.15.58
Julia Parker – 2.21.59
Kim Hulacka – 2.25.13
Clare Foster – 2.26.01
Fiona Attwood – 2.28.59
Nick Carter – 2.32.56
Sue Meredith – 2.32.58
Fay Tosdevin – 2.33.29
Peter Dixon – 2.35.56
Dave Wilcock – 2.46.28
Caroline Curliss – 2.47.53
Bridget Keyte – 2.47.53
Alison Butcher – 2.47.54
Sam Grist – 2.49.04
Pat Harris – 2.54.00
Callie Hatcher – 3.00.12
Suzannah Lovett – 3.12.59
Debbie Radestock – 3.13.04
Lyn Snow – 3.30.12
