The Isle of Wight Marathon, organised by Ryde Harriers and run over a circular course from the Community Club, Cowes via Shalfleet to the West Wight and back, saw just two runners break the 3 hour barrier on Sunday.
A novice unattached runner, currently serving in the Army, made an excellent debut at the distance holding the lead for some time. At one stage Rohan Pawlowski had a cushion of some four minutes over Ian Berry representing Winchester and District AC, but at 24.5 miles Rohan was caught by Ian.
Ian, contesting his 123rd Marathon-his first was London 2005- was now on Rohan’s shoulder. They battled side by side before the older man’s experience took him clear at the 25 miles mark. They finished the race in times of 2:56:40 and 2:57:19 respectively.
Meanwhile Crispin Allen (Stragglers) who was third in 2011 and runner up in 2012 took a comfortable third place in 3:02:34.
Peter Wilmott of IW Road Runners took fourth place in 3:05:31. For the first 15 miles he ran alongside his team mate Stuart Backhouse but then pulled away. Stuart’s time was 3:17:26.
In fifth place overall was the first lady home in a time of 3:08:47. Having run the IW Half Marathon Stephanie Newbury from Sturminster Marshall decided to return to the Island and run a full Marathon. Her strong performance on the hills gave her the edge over the second lady, Karmen Pardoe from Ruislip who finished in a time of 3:11:55.
Winner of the race, over a different course in 2011,Ryde Harrier Les Cupis was lying in third place at one stage. Finishing in sixth place,(5th man) a tired Les admitted to setting off at too strong a pace and paying for it. His time was 3:11:51.
With Phil Mannall 12th placed man, IW Road Runners took the men’s team prize, The Joan Tait Cup, and the women from IW Road Runners, Jodie Giffard, Hayley Baxter and Judy McCabe, made it a double by winning the women’s team trophy.
140 runners completed the course, 38 of them women.
Report and photograph thanks to Alan and Suzanne Whitewood
