Fabien Lassonde and Cat O’Shea dominated 3 challenging races, conquering hills, trails and over 4,300ft of ascent in the 31st Isle of Wight Fell Running series.
Last weekend (13th/14th September) attracted 140 registered runners, with 287 finishers, and strong representation from Victoria Park Harriers, London Frontrunners, Serpentine Running Club, Compton Harriers, and local club Ryde Harriers.
Mostly dry weather over the weekend allowed strong performances despite slippery conditions from earlier rain, with overall times generally faster than last year.
In the first race, St. Boniface Fell on Saturday morning, the runners tackled 4 km with 776 feet of ascent from Ventnor seafront to the summit and back.
Joe Dale (Victoria Park Harriers / Tower Hamlets AC) won the men’s race, followed by Fabien Lassonde and Dermot Bryers. Tyler Rimmer (DarkStar Running) was the top Island runner, finishing sixth. Cat O’Shea (Victoria Park) won the women’s race, with Hazel Norton-Hale second and Natasha Sheel third. Veteran winners included Joe Dale (Vet 40), Martin Fray (Vet 60), and Geoff Newton (Vet 80), who broke the existing record.
In the second race, Ventnor Horseshoe on Saturday afternoon, the runners climbed St. Boniface, looped through Wroxall, St. Martins Down, and Luccombe Down, covering 12 km with 1,600 feet of ascent.
Joe Dale again won the men’s race, with Fabien Lassonde second and Hugh Torry (Serpentine RC) third. Tyler Rimmer finished sixth. Elizabeth Dyson (Haldon Trail Runners) took the women’s win, with Cat O’Shea second and Natasha Sheel third. Veteran winners included Nick Tearle (Vet 50) and Geoff Newton (Vet 80), the first vet 80 to complete this race.
In the third race, Wroxall Round on Sunday morning, the runners faced 21 km and 2,000 feet of ascent, including La Falaise Park, Stenbury Down, Gat Cliff, and the descent of St. Boniface.
Ben Windsor (Unattached) won the men’s race, with Fabien Lassonde second and Angus Bane third. Tyler Rimmer placed 11th. Natasha Sheel won the women’s race, followed by Cat O’Shea and Jess Hannah. Veteran winners included Fabien Lassonde (Vet 40) and Geoff Newton (Vet 80, setting a new record).
Over the series, Fabien Lassonde was crowned SEAA Fell Running Champion for men and Cat O’Shea for women. Tyler Rimmer was the top Island runner, finishing sixth overall. Team championships went to Victoria Park Harriers for both men and women, with Serpentine RC runners-up and London Frontrunners (men) and Ryde Harriers (women) third.
The Chris Blow Memorial Trophies, awarded to the first Harrier over the series, went to Graham Gardner and Sian Savin. Other notable Island competitors included Rosie Eldridge, Jenny Crowe, James Harrison, Ian Russell, Tony Jacobson, Les Cupis, Steve Apsey, Ken Beak, David Aked, and Stuart Backhouse.
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