529 athletes lined up along Ryde Esplanade to compete in the Ryde 10m race on Sunday (2nd February), organised and staged by Ryde Harriers.
Ryde 10m is part of the Hampshire Road Race League, which features 12 races – and Sunday’s weather couldn’t have been better for it.
The race started on the Esplanade and took in a lap of the canoe lake before runners were directed up East Hill Road, the first of many challenging hills. The race then proceeded to St Helens, passing through Nettlestone. At St Helens, runners were greeted with spectacular views as they reached the furthest point of the course that takes them along the St Helens Duver, and then turn back along a more costal route through Nodes Point and down into Seaview.
In a change to previous years, runners were saved running up Puckpool Hill in the final 2 miles. Instead they were treated to a flat and fast run through Puckpool Park and along the seafront back to Ryde Harbour.
Host club Ryde Harriers showed their strength, taking all 3 men’s podium positions. Matt Sharp took victory in 53:06, Chris Newnham 2nd in 53:49 and Gary Marshall 3rd (and 1st V40) in 56:01. This excellent result also put Ryde Harriers in first place in the Men’s team’s competition, significantly ahead of Denmead Striders in 2nd and Vectis Academy Race Team in 3rd.
Daniel Furmidge added to Ryde Harriers list of prizes, by taking 1st Vet 50.
For the ladies, it was Winchester Running Club that showed their strength, taking 1st and 2nd podium positions, Sarah Gurney in 01:05:36, and Karla Borland in 01:05:58, with Katie Horton from Eastleigh RC taking 3rd in 01:06:03. In the lady’s team’s competition, Winchester Running Club took 1st, Liss Runners 2nd and Vectis Academy Race Team in 3rd.
First lady home for Ryde Harriers was Becci Wilkinson in 01:10:18, an excellent time for her first time completing 10 miles.
In total 42 Ryde Harriers members competed in the race, adding depth to the team’s strength – managing to get a second men’s team over the line ahead of the first men’s team for the majority of other clubs.
For the full results visit https://www.rydeharriers.co.uk/results/ryde-10miles-2025-results/.
The next Ryde Harriers races are: Newport To Ryde on Easter Saturday, and West Wight 3 Hills West Wight 3 Hills. For more details see https://www.rydeharriers.co.uk/races/.
Race Report by Trevor McAlister
