Photo: Carly Scoble535 athletes – a record field – lined up to take on the challenge of the annual Ryde 10-mile race on Sunday (4th February). The event saw the local club, Ryde Harriers, prove too strong for the opposition and dominate in both the men’s and women’s races. The first 4 places in the men’s race went to Ryde Harriers. The 1st part of the race saw the 4 Harriers grouped together in the lead and trading places. Shortly before halfway, the leading group began to settle down into their eventual finishing positions. 1st home, pulling steadily away from his teammates was Matt Sharp, in a time of 0.53.50 – an impressive time considering the undulating nature of the course. 2nd went to Dan Eckersley in a time of 0.54.32. 3rd was Chris Newnham 0.55.59. The quartet was closed in 4th place by Dave Hunt in a time of 0.57.32. Dave also took the Prize for first vet 40. All 4 are coached by Ryde Harriers’ Geoff Watkin. 1st in the veteran 50 category was ex-Ryde Harrier Daniel Furmidge – who currently lives in Cowes – running as unattached. Photo: Bryan Jones 1st team went to Ryde Harriers with 6 points: Sharp, Eckersley and Newnham. 2nd team – Alton Runners with 33 points – Perret, Hall and Webley. 3rd Ryde Harriers ‘B’ Team with 36 points: Hunt, Amin and McDonald. The Ladies Race was won by Ryde Harriers evergreen Charlie Metcalfe in a time of 1.07.11. Charlie also took the prize for first Vet. 45. Just over a minute back in 2nd place and 1st Vet. 50 in a time of 1.08.16 was Sarah Gurney of Winchester Running Club. Hot on her heels in 3rd place in a time of 1.08.28 was Kerry Riches – who also picked up the prize for 1st Veteran 35 – proving conclusively that age is no barrier to female long-distance Running. 1st Ladies team went to Ryde Harriers with 27 points: Metcalfe, Jones and Johnson. This was a close-run thing as also on 27 points was Winchester Running club: Gurney, Parkinson and Carr. However, Ryde were awarded 1st place for the higher 1st placing. 3rd team was Lordshill road runners: Hooton, Mintoff and Gering. There were no junior ladies, but 1st place in the junior men’s category went to Louis Forster in a time of 1.03.04, running for Vectis Academy Race Team. Photo: Megan Still
7 members of Wight Tri took the start line under the club banner, with several others present in the colours of their 1st claim running clubs.
1st finisher in club colours was Jack Elton-Walters in 1:08:52 for 56th overall, 27th Senior Male. Followed by: Loic Le Floch: 1:18:03, 154th overall, 18th Male 50; Rob Johnson: 1:19:04, 166th overall, 25th Male 40; Lucy Doorly: 1:24:52, 236th overall, 12th Female 40; Neil Cooper: 1:36:11, 358th overall, 45th Male 50; Lizzi Elton-Walters: 1:37:34, 375th overall, 20th Senior Female; Arielle Elton-Walters: 1:39:05, 392nd overall, 22nd Senior Female. Jack Elton-Walters, 1st of the Wight Triathlon finishers.
Entries are open for the following races organised by Ryde Harriers:
Newport to Ryde – Saturday 30th March 2024 West Wight 3 Hills – Monday 1st April 2024 Brading 10km – 2nd June 2024 Isle of Wight Fell Race Series – Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September 2024 68th Isle of Wight Marathon – 6th October 2024