The second match in the series saw IOW runners from the Isle of Wight Athletic Club (IWAC) compete amongst 1,000 entrants from across the region. The course was across fields and through woodland with short sharp hills and a stream crossing – the torrential rain turned this into quite a challenge.

For IWAC Freya Taylor (11^th) had another really great race, with teammate Abigail Fancourt 47^th and for the boys James Heng (20^th) ran well.

Next up were the U13 girls and IWAC had a complete team with Maisey Kent (31^st) , Lily Barclay (45^th), Evie Taylor (54^th) and Charlotte Fancourt (74^th). For the Boys Finlay Lax (56^th), Fionn Buggy (78^th) and Jackson Hill (81^st) were the IWAC team.

Mabel Lewis ran a fast and even pace to finish 9^th in the U15 Girls event, with Naomi Holdsworth (31^st), Jessica Heng (48^th) and Eden Canning(63^rd) completing the team. Campbell Laird went one better than in match 1 by finishing 3^rd – the result of the day – brothers Jacob and Noah Patey came 45^th and 46^th, with Jay Spooner 61^st.

For the U17’s Dylan Holdsworth and Niall Powell finished 2 seconds apart in 27^th and 28^th – Milly Bacon was 25^th in the Girls event.

The Senior Ladies had the worst of the conditions; Katie Lewis (IWAC) 36^th Vet35 (149^th overall). Steve Haggerty (IWAC) continues to improve and was the first Island Senior Man home (31^st Vet 40 & 140^th Overall). A great day with a lot of mud and rain!

In good conditions for running Henry McLuckie, from the Isle of Wight Athletic Club, won the Great South 5km men’s race in fine style.

Henry started strongly going with the leading runners from the gun.

At the halfway stage Henry pushed the pace on and broke away from the leading group.

He maintained a strong pace for the remainder of the race finishing the race in a time of 15:55, 17 seconds ahead of the second placed runner.

Campbell Laird, also from the Isle of Wight Athletic Club, produced a fine run the same race, winning his age group and finishing 11th overall in a new personal best time of 17:20.

In the Junior Great South run Maisey Kent turned in a very strong performance to take 7th place in a time of 8:20.

Masie Gibson, Savannah Smith and Jasper Evans also completed the event for IWAC – congratulations all.

Senior club members had an awesome day – with Joe Wade finishing in 13th overall in a new PB time of 50:57 – Dan Eckersley not too far behind in 25th with another PB of 52:48. Brian Canning and Katie Lewis also enjoyed the sunshine also finishing well.

Hampshire Cross Country League 2018/19 13th October at King’s Park, Bournemouth (Match 1)

Unexpected brilliant sunshine was matched by some more forecasted great results in Saturdays opening Hampshire Cross Country League Match in Bournemouth. The Isle of Wight Athletic Club narrowly missed having a top 20 finisher in every junior race – but came away with a very happy team and surprisingly clean kit!

The Under 11’s races saw Freya Taylor storm round in 9th and Abigail Fancourt (47th) finish well before James Heng had a great run to come 12th for the boys. The biggest IWAC team was the U13 Girls – Maisey Kent leading them in 20th, Lily Barclay 44th then Mia Stillwell (50th) Evie
Taylor (56th) Mia Ross & Charlotte Fancourt (68th & 69th) and Isabella Matthias (72nd). Joseph Roberts was the fastest IWAC U13 boy in 16th, with Finley Lax (85th) Fionn Buggy (90th) and Jackson Hill (98th). For the U15 Girls race the first Island athlete was Mabel Lewis (18th) followed by Naomi Holdsworth (35th) and Eden Canning (57th). Campbell Laird produced the result of the day with 4th place in the boys event, leading in teammates Noah Patey (48th) and Jay Spooner & Henry Matthias (71st & 72nd). The U17 girls saw Milly Bacon compete strongly for 19th, before Niall Powell and Thomas Timmons came 22nd and 31st on the longer boys course.

In the senior women’s races Samantha Fancourt the first home for the Harriers team (130th), closely followed by Natalie Rose 31:48 (150th). Katie Lewis (IWAC) was 151st and again for Ryde Harriers Hayley Totton (186th) completed the Isle of Wight finishers.

In the senior men’s race Steve Haggerty (IWAC) was 147th with Leslie Cupis was the first home for Ryde Harriers (155th), followed by Trevor McAlister (198th).

Noah Patey & Steve Haggerty in new club kit (Sponsored by Wightlink).

A great performance from all of the IWAC athletes who competed in the events in Portsmouth over the two days. A lot of PB’s as well as the medal winning performances in the County Press Report (above – Thanks to Tracy Sedman). Full results on Hampshire Website (click here).

Hampshire Championships 2018 CP T & F report

An unprecedented achievement for any Isle of Wight Runner – Henry McLuckie broke clear of the best athletes in England to win the 2018 Intermediate boys XC Champion title. Please see below article from Athletics Weekly (credit AW).

Henry has been working through the winter with the club and IWAC coach Paul Simpson – and this is fantastic for the Isle of Wight.