Fiercely competitive and ferociously challenging, these races are tough. The 24th Ryde Harriers annual Fell series did not disappoint. With ascent totalling 1165m over the 3 races, (that’s 3822 feet in old money), the tired legs of competitors will have climbed the equivalent of Mount Snowdon and then some by lunchtime on Sunday. To run one of the events is an achievement of grit, sweat and determination, but to run all three is indomitable . Popular with many of the London clubs, this event attracts some of the best Fell runners in the South.
Kicking off at 11am on Saturday morning, the first race is short and sweet. Well it’s short at least. Just 2 and a half miles. However, it is from sea level straight up to the highest point on the Island and back. So steep in fact it’s hard to run down, let alone run up.
All our plucky runners, negotiated the monolithic mount and returned safely to the finish line at the race HQ of St Catherine’s School in Grove Road, most of them quicker than their times last year. Hayley Baxter smashed it coming 8th woman overall and 2nd v40. Poor Darren Dollery took a nasty tumble in the final mile, giving him a nasty swollen knee, leaving him unable to compete further in the series.
Race 1 – The Boniface Fell
Stuart Backhouse 20.39
Harry Rann – 22.32
Hayley Baxter – 24.35
George Butler – 25.08
Ian Dyer – 26.45
Tarnia Eldridge – 29.48
Julie Salter – 32.17
Darren Dollery – 37.05
A couple of hours recovery and, joined by a couple more members, they were back down on the seafront for round two.
This time 7.5 miles and 443m (1453ft) of elevation lay before them. Once again they set off on the extreme uphill start as the first 2 and a half miles took them back to St Boniface Down, but this time up the other side and onto Down Lane.
Over toward Wroxall they went before some welcome flat ground heading along the cycle path to the the outskirts of Shanklin before they turned for home and back onto the downland and finally back to the school.
Again Hayley Baxter came 8th lady overall and 2nd V40.
Race 2 – The Ventnor Horseshoe
Stuart Backhouse – 1.04.42
Hayley Baxter – 1.12.53
Harry Rann – 1.15.59
Ian Dyer – 1.21.21
George Butler – 1.25.56
Clare Mucklow – 1.26.29
Lisa Upstell – 1.31.12
Tarnia Eldridge – 1.31.59
Julie Salter – 1.33.54
10 miles combined done….. 13 left in the morning….
Day 2 and most of yesterday’s competitors were joined by a few more club runners, taking on the longest and last of the events on its own.
The runners once again congregated at the paddling pool on Ventnor Seafront for the 10.30 start.
A more gentle start this time, as the runners ran along the seafront and cliff path through the temperate Botanic Gardens. Despite the cloudy beginnings, the sky hid humid and hot conditions as the runners battled their way round the course. They began their ascent through St Lawrence, passing the football ground at Watcombe Bottom before continuing further up to the never ending climb of Stenbury Down.
But what goes up must come down, as they were treated to a bit of downhill relief.
The runners then continued through the countryside skirting Wroxall and Godshill before passing through the Donkey Sanctuary, which was hosting a family fun day.
“It was great going through the Donkey Sanctuary” said Sarah Holmes “It was really busy with people cheering us all on and loud music. Nick Carter even stopped to have a bit of a dance! It was a real boost!”
A welcome flat section along the old railway line was soon negotiated as they then ascended what are lovingly referred to as “The Steps of Doom”. So steep are these, that you have to use the handrails to heave yourself upward.
At the top, they found themselves back on St Boniface Down, but this time on the flat as they followed the ridge along the top.
At last they reached the final steep descent and the welcome sight of the School for that last uphill push. All tired, but all triumphant. Unbelievably, Hayley Baxter showed great consistency by yet again, coming 8th lady and 2nd V40.
Race 3 – The Wroxall Round
Stuart Backhouse- 1.38.03
Harry Rann – 1.44.40
Bill Goozee – 1.54.04
Hayley Baxter – 1.54.12
Dan Williams – 1.56.07
Michael Coultrup – 2.01.28
George Butler – 2.11.09
Charlotte Williams – 2.14.17
Tarnia Eldridge – 2.22.03
Julie Salter – 2.26.28
Giorgio Marinelli – 2.28.07
Sarah Holmes – 2.28.20
Zoe Elliot – 2.28.22
Nick Carter – 2.28.45
Ian Williams – 2.30.37
As is usual with this weekend of racing, most of the overall top prizes were swept away by the overwhelming presence of some very high class runners from clubs such as Victoria Park and Serpentine. However a particular mention must go to Hayley Baxter whose consistent performance all weekend earnt her 1st IOW lady in all three races and Stuart Backhouse who, despite nursing a tight hamstring, was first IWRR back in all 3 races and held his own amidst some stiff competition in his age category.
Prizes and overall positions
Hayley Baxter – 1st IW lady, 8th overall and 2nd v40
Tarnia Eldridge – 28th lady and 9th V40
Julie Salter – 30th lady and 7th V50
Stuart Backhouse 43rd male and 11th V40
Harry Rann – 70th male
George Butler – 97th male
Ian Dyer – 102nd male and 28th V40
