Fell runners climbing up from Ventnor Esplanade. Picture by Laura Holme.
FELL RUNNING
SERPENTINE Runners Hugh Torry and Sarah Pemberton scooped the honours at this year’s Eddie Leal and Brenda Lawson Memorial IW Fell Running Series at Ventnor.
Les Cupis, of Ryde Harriers, was 12th overall in the series and winner of the Chris Blow Memorial Trophy for the first Ryde Harrier to finish over the series of three races.
Les was also second vet 40 in the SEAA Championship.
Stuart Backhouse, of IW Road Runners, was third vet 40 in the SEAA Championship, finishing 17th overall in the three races. Steve Gratton, of Wight Tri, was second vet 50 in the SEAA Championship, finishing 22nd overall.
Cherry Owens, of West Wight Road Runners, gained first woman’s vet 60 in the SEAA Championship, the only IW lady to finish all three races. Complete results are on www.rydeharriers.co.uk.
The events are named in honour of Eddie Leal, a founder member of the Fell Running Association (Membership No. 2) and Brenda Lawson, who together started the Ventnor Fell Running Championship Association.
The three races were held over two days, with the runners covering 24 miles of off-road running with over 4,300ft of ascent. This year, there was a record number of finishers, with 190 runners registered. The races were hosting the SEAA Fell Running Championships for the 14th year and were organised by the Ventnor Fell Running Championship Association, with assistance from Ryde Harriers.
The association thanked the Red Cross, the Rotary Club, officials and marshals for their help, as well as sponsors Wightlink and Paul Judge of the Leconfield Country House Restaurant, Bonchurch.
• More pictures in the Friday, September 21, County Press.