Sunday’s IW Marathon – organised by Ryde Harriers – saw a field of over 160 runners having to deal with warm, dry conditions.
From the start at Isle of Wight Community Club, Cowes, 2-time winner and defending champion, Gary Marshall, from the host club was vying with young debutant Joshua Price.
As the race progressed, Gary’s experience saw him gradually pull away from the younger man. On the return from West Wight, it was obvious Joshua had something left in the tank as Gary’s niggling calf injury slowed his progress.
At around 24 miles, Gary finally lost his lead and Josh gradually pulled away to record his maiden Marathon win in a time of 2:48:32, which was the first triumph by an IW Road Runner since Paul Cameron in 2009. Josh has been running for some time but only recently has entered competitive races over a variety of distances.
Gary Marshall, (1st Vet 40) was runner-up in 2:50:46, with his clubmate Keaan Amin completing the podium in 3:09:59. Keaan recorded 2:51 in Brighton earlier this year and, in this race, his 2nd IW Marathon, he progressed through the field after a conservative start.
With 3 Islanders on the podium and Ryde Harrier Wayne Matthews ( 7th & 1st Vet 50) coming home in 3:16:09, Ryde Harriers claimed the Men’s Team Trophy with 12 points.
Rivals I.W.R.R. were runners up on 24 points, with race winner Joshua Price being joined by Ross Wilkes 9th in 3:22:00 and Ashley Crabbe 14th in 3:36:26.
In her 29th Marathon, Anna Smith-James, an unattached runner from Fareham, came home in 12th place overall in a time of 3:28:12 and was the first lady to finish.
Anna described the course as hilly and admitted she was not too worried about her time; she simply enjoys running Marathons and this course was different. She even enjoyed the scenery in West Wight.
Felicity Bull – an unattached runner from Godalming – was the second lady home in 3:41:23.
Representing London City Runners, Hannah Green recorded 3:45:55 and was the 3rd lady home. Having recorded a good time in this year’s London Marathon, Hannah knew it would be a tough course here, having been driven round it by her parents, who live on the Island.
Winners of the Ladies Team Trophy were Ryde Harriers: 10th Sarah Cass 4:29:41, 11th Donna Drobina 4:32:44 and 12th Natalie Rose 4:36:59.
Runners up: I.W.R.R. 16th Carolyn Littleton 4:40:34, 18th Alice Rayner 4:49:13. and 22nd Sarah Ward 4:52:45.
Well done IWRR! Great running!