More than 450 runners took to the start line of the fifth edition of The Abominable Snowman Tough 10 running event at Cheverton Farm in Shorwell over the festive period.
The majority of the field was filled from the various running clubs here on the Isle of Wight including the Godshill Massive, Wight Tri, IOW Road Runners, Wootton Bridge Runners, West Wight and Ryde Harriers.
The course lived up to its billing as wet, cold, steep and muddy. Competitors had to conquer waist deep water, natural obstacles along with the steep and muddy trails during their 10km or 10 mile run on Saturday 29th December.
On a breezy day almost 60 under 11’s took part in the toughest Mini-Snowman race in its 5 year history, all to the music of Fat Samba playing in the background. Many of the younger competitors were accompanied by parents along the steep 1km course.
In the main race, the winner of the 10 mile event was Jack Grundy crossing the line in a time of 1hr 14mins. Second and third overall and first place in their respective categories were Les Cupis (V50) in 1hr 18mins and Sean Williams (V40) a few seconds behind.
Seventh overall in a field of 126 runners was 13-year-old Robyn Fossa. Her impressive time of 1hr 23mins not only took first place in the junior female category, but also first female overall and was certainly one of the day’s notable achievements.
Also completing the course was partially sighted Sarah Probert along with a group of Ryde Harriers who completed the 10Km. Winning the 10 Km overall was in a time of 46mins 46secs was James Fletcher (Junior). Second across the line was Callum Tanner in 48:26 (Senior M) and third was Paul Wood in a time of 50:01 (V40 M).
To celebrate the 5th year of the event, GP Sport teamed up with Goddards Brewery of Ryde to bring an Abominable Snowman beer to the event, samples of which were given to competitors half way round the course. Some lucky winners received bottles as spot prizes too.
This year the top runners were competing for glory and bragging rights but everyone who entered had a chance of taking home a wonderful prize, ranging from edible munchies to head wear, sports bags and, with the help of Goodall Roofing, a top prize of a Love Running voucher of £100, which was scooped up by Clare Bradley.
Event organisers GP Sport have said:
“We are very happy with the way the event went and are pleased to see it grow year on year. This year saw record numbers take to the start line and we have had lots of good feedback.
“The event has become a staple of post-Christmas fun with mud thrown in and we are very grateful to the continued support of the local running community.
“We are already planning the next edition and entries will open later in the year. For details of this event and other GP Sport events go to www.gpsport.org“.
