DESPITE the stiff legs from having already taken part in at least one of the races in the Isle of Wight Fell Running Series on Saturday, a large number quite literally went the extra mile or so to compete in the most gruelling race of the weekend on Sunday.

The Wroxall Round, at 13 miles long, attracted 285 entries — which beat last year’s total — with 185 runners finishing it. 

First Isle of Wight man in was Paul Cooke, of Ryde Harriers, who came ninth overall in 1.24.57.

Fellow Harriers Adam Tuck and Les Cupis gave the club a good team placing behind some serious London competition.

Cupis, of Niton, was also the first veteran 50 home in 1.41.02.

Hayley Baxter, of the Isle of Wight Road Runners, also earned a great treble of wins as first Island woman, a Vet40 runner, to finish in 1.54.12, with Elaine Parry, of Ryde Harriers  the second Island woman to finish in a time of 2.07.52.

Isle of Wight County Press:

On a fairly undulating opening section through La Falaise Park, Ventnor, via the Botanic Gardens, a climb to Watcombe Bottom and on to Stenbury Down, the runners were given some brief respite as they headed downhill to Stenbury Manor, before another the climb to Gatt Cliff.

The course then continued undulating through to Shanklin, before the climb to St Martins Down and Luccombe Down, with a final drop to St Boniface to the finish at St Catherine's School.

The men’s winner was Chris Wright, of the Serpentine Running Club, in 1.17.47, with Rachael Thomas (Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club), making it a hat-trick of wins by taking the women’s race in 1.35.11.

Isle of Wight County Press:

In the SEAA Fell Running Championship, held over the series of three weekend races, the men’s winner was Aaron McGrady (Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club), with Rachael Thomas completing a double for the club as fastest woman.

In the SEAA team event, Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets did the double by winning the men’s and women’s sections.