Nettlestone Primary School’s most decorated former student Major General Sir Martin White will officially start the Nettlestone RAT Running Race next Sunday (29th September).
Sir Martin – who was a pupil at the school from 1950 to 1957 and still lives in the parish – is the Island’s highest ranked veteran, who also served as Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, welcoming Her Late Majesty The Queen and other Royals on visits to the Island.
This year’s race – a major fundraiser for the school – is set to be another brilliant event, following the success of last year when the RAT Race returned for the first time since lockdown – attracting 109 entries.
Organised by parent-led ‘Friends of Nettlestone School’, the events include 3 distances to choose from: a children’s 600m race and a mass start with a choice of a 5-mile or a 5km course around the beautiful parish of Nettlestone and Seaview.
Many families from the community and beyond enter and run the course together.
With sponsorship from Hovertravel and Grace’s Bakery, and this year’s entrants’ raffle is shaping-up to be better than ever with Ryde Superbowl tickets, running shoes, wine vouchers and much more up-for-grabs.
This year’s ‘early bird’ entry fee is £10 for an adult, £5 for a child if you enter before Saturday 21st September and there’s also an option for ‘I would like to pay NOT to run!’ priced at £5.
The childrens’ 600m race begins the event at 10:00. Both groups competing in the 5km and 5-mile races start together at 10:30 after a quick warm-up routine by local fitness instructor Phil Bell.
Last year’s race was won by 17-year-old Louis Forster and Dawn Haig-Thomas, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight in 2023 also completed the course with members of her family.
To enter the race click here.
