MORE than 100 athletes braved appalling weather on Saturday to take part in what is becoming one of the most popular running events on the Isle of Wight athletics calendar — the Sandown and Shanklin 10K.
Emma Ford (in dark green top), of the Wootton Bridge Runners, who finished the Sandown and Shanklin 10K in 59.29.
But with gale force winds and driving rain across the bay, it was a struggle for competitors to achieve any personal best times.
As was the case last year and in 2016, Dan Eckersley, of the Isle of Wight Athletic Club, won in a decent time of 33mins 31secs, with Charlie Metcalfe, of Ryde Harriers, the first woman home and fourth overall in 37.58, despite the demanding conditions.
Tanya Hunt (539), left, running along Sandown seafront with Kelly Peach (594).
Jack Grundy, of TeamSpy, who stayed in close contention, came second in 35.46, followed by one of Metcalfe’s running partners, Dave Hunt, of TeamSpy, who came third in 37.36.
Stephen Rumsey, of the Isle of Wight Road Runners — making a return to road racing — came fifth and took the men’s over-45 category in 39.38.
The third annual race, which saw 91 finish, started from the Isle of Wight Zoo, with athletes battling the worsening conditions on the return from Shanklin seafront.
This year’s team award went to Wootton Bridge Runners, who were well represented.
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