105 runners set off from the Isle of Wight Community Club in Cowes for the 66th Isle of Wight Marathon on an overcast, showery Sunday morning (2nd October).
Luckily, conditions soon improved with the rain lifting, to be replaced with blue skies and sunshine as competitors tackled the West Wight circuit.
Gary Marshall, representing the race organisers Ryde Harriers, took the lead from the off and pulled away from the field as the race progressed. Having won the title in 2018, he took his 2nd victory in 2 hours 40 minutes 49 seconds winning the Veteran 40+ category in the process.
Gary is the 4th Harrier to take the title. He was aiming for a sub 3 hours’ time, but as he felt good, he pushed himself in what proved a very lonely race for him. It was almost 22 minutes before the next man came home.
David Willett (Southern Counties Veterans AC) recorded 3: 02: 44 making it a profitable awayday from Portsmouth. Next home was another Islander Chris Elliott (unattached) in 3: 03: 55. Chris a regular football player said it was an ideal temperature for him and he was glad of the sunshine in what was his maiden Marathon race. In 4th place was William Goozee (unattached Sandown) in 3: 07:43.
Veteran 50+ Wayne Matthews (Ryde Harriers) was making his debut over the distance. It was a remarkable performance for someone whose football career was cut short by a horrendous leg fracture some 25 years ago. A few years ago, Wayne started running with a near neighbour gradually increasing his pace and distance. In this race, he was running with a number of clubmates with Stuart Backhouse setting the pace.
After Wayne broke away to take 5th place in 3:10:13 Stuart (Vet 50 +) followed him home in 3:14:55. Graham Gardner (RH Vet 40+) followed in 3:15:44.
With Ryde Harriers’ men, Gary, Wayne and Stuart placing well they secured the Men’s Team Trophy (12 points). IW Road Runners were the 2nd team with 39 points: Ross Wilkes, Simon Randall and Richard Bezer.
In the Women’s race, Claire Angell from Ryde Harriers took 1st place and was also 1st F Vet 35+ in a time of 4:07:36. Sophie Smith (Devises RC) was 2nd 4:13:10 and Carolyn Littleton IWRR 3rd in 4:19:51. Carolyn also took the F Vet 55+ title.
The winning Women’s team was Ryde Harriers (17points): Claire Angell, Sarah Cass, Natalie Rose. With IWRR 2nd (20 points): Carolyn Littleton, Jennifer Gallop, Louise Morris.
Malcolm Knight (RRC) aged 76 took 101st place and was 3rd in the Vet 70+ category. Malcolm was running his 40th IW Marathon.
