It was a beautiful start to the Easter weekend of racing as the sun came out in all its glory on Easter Saturday ready to bathe the Newport to Ryde course in its golden glow, and ensuring that the ridiculously muddy conditions of yesteryear were all but a distant memory . Temperatures were pretty much as high as they were going to get as our 18 runners awaited the off outside County Hall in Newport amongst the 191 strong field.
3pm came and they were given 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 now finishing at Ryde School.
It was clear that the warm weather while it was glorious, was no doubt going to make the run harder. But it didn’t deter our red white and blue warriors from taking the bull by the horns, gritting their teeth and sweating their little hearts out!
Rocket Ross Wilkes flew around the course and was again the first Roadrunner home in just over 45 minutes. An amazing achievement after completing his formidable sub 3 hour marathon only two weeks before! He took 3rd position overall with Sean Williams not too far behind him taking 6th overall and even managing to set a new course record for the M50 category! Steve Apsey then came in to scoop the 10th M40 spot completing our first three chaps over the line. The boys were just pipped to the post from taking the first men’s team on the day and all finished with a shiny silver medal taking the Second spot on the podium.
In the ladies race, it was super woman Sarah Ward that stormed home in 5th place for the ladies, Carolyn Littleton came home in 11th position and 4th for the F55’s, whilst Alicia Burr despite saying she struggled on the day completed our first three ladies home, finishing as the 20th female and also 4th Senior female. Our triumphant trio also all earned themselves a silver medal each for finishing as Second Ladies Team on the day!
There were prize winners galore in the age categories too! Sean Williams and Sue Hunter taking pole position in theirs, Sarah Ward grabbing a2nd place in hers and Ross Wilkes taking 3rd in his.
Absolutely fantastic running everyone, and as always, a massive thank you to all who went out to support, encourage and take photos of our superstar runners. You really do make days like these extra special.
Ross Wilkes 45:39
Sean Williams 48:45 (New M50 Course Record)
Steve Apsey 54:28
Paul Martin 57:42
Noel Finn 57:55
John Newsham 59:44
Sarah Ward 1:04:05
Carolyn Littleton 1:06:29
Jen Gallop 1:06:51 (second claim)
Gareth Driscoll 1:08:00
Alicia Burr 1:11:27
Fiona Attwood 1:11:52
Caroline Curliss 1:12:10
George Butler 1:16:51
Andy Tickner 1:17:01
Louise Morris 1:19:10
Sue Hunter 1:20:35
Tracey Houdoire 1:39:19
Julie Ray 1:39:19
Men’s Teams
2nd Men’s Team: Ross Wilkes, Sean Williams, Steve Apsey
6th Men’s Team: Paul Martin, Noel Finn, John Newsham
8th Men’s Team: Gareth Driscoll, George Butler, Andy Tickner
Ladies Teams
2nd Ladies Team: Sarah Ward, Carolyn Littleton, Alicia Burr
4th Ladies Team: Fiona Attwood, Caroline Curliss, Louise Morris
7th Ladies Team: Sue Hunter, Tracey Houdoire, Julie Ray
