NEWPORT man Gary Marshall was the surprise winner of yesterday's 62nd Isle of Wight Marathon in what was his first-ever race, let alone marathon!
Gary, who was running to raise money in aid of Isle of Wight care charity, Mountbatten, and forces charity, Help for Heroes, finished in a time of 2.58.06.
Despite his victory, it was still some way off the men's record, which is held by Peter Thompson, of Bournemouth Athletics Club, standing at 2.40.29.
From left, Isle of Wight Marathon winner Gary Marshall, Ryde Harriers member Sarah Smith, and Wootton Bridge Runners athlete, Richard Oxford. Photo: Wootton Bridge Runners
The athlete, who runs for the Wootton Bridge Runners, but was unattached for the race, described his victory as beyond his wildest dreams, according to Isle of Wight Marathon marshall, Suzanne Whitewood, who spoke with him afterwards.
"Gary was well in control during the first half of the race, before he experienced ‘heavy legs’," Mrs Whitewood added.
"He held on though and was pleased to record a qualifying time for the 2020 London Marathon."
Gary Marshall (in yellow) gets the 62nd IW Marathon off to a flyer from the IW Community Club, Cowes, on Sunday morning. Photo: Jennifer Thompson
The event featured 133 finishers, of which 59 were Islanders.
Matt Cheyney, of the Denmead Striders, came second 2.58.43, with Islander Dave Hunt, of Team Spy, not far behind him to finish third in 3.01.06.
Trained by Ryde-based coach, Geoff Watkin, Dave explained he felt OK for the first 19 miles, before he faded slightly and was unable to prevent Matt from passing him when in second place.
The 2009 Isle of Wight Marathon winner, Paul Cameron, who runs for the Isle of Wight Road Runners (IWRR), came fourth in 3.05.36.
Although he suffered an injury after 23 miles, he managed to finish.
Action from the start of this year's Isle of Wight Marathon in Cowes. Photo: Jennifer Thompson
The first woman home was former Islander Elizabeth Steward (Denmead Striders), in 3.34.26.
Elizabeth, who attended school in Sandown, said she enjoyed the race, but described it as a challenge.
The runner-up and first Island woman home was Hayley Baxter (IWRR), who came in at 3.36.13 — a superb seven minutes faster than her winning race time last year.
Hayley had stayed neck-and-neck with Elizabeth up until the 11-mile mark, before she increased the pace.
Isle of Wight Road Runners athlete Hayley Baxter came in as second woman and first Island woman. Photo: Jennifer Thompson
Wight-Tri athlete Mary Norman was third woman in with a time of 3.47.29, as well as being the first woman in Vet 55-plus category.
First junior male home was Harry Rann (IWRR), who was just 51 seconds inside four hours, while Ryde Harrier, Jonathan Norton, was the club’s oldest finisher and first in the Vet 70-plus category, finishing the race in 4.17.25.
The IWRR dominated the men's and women's team rankings.
Cameron, Stuart Backhouse and Andrew Macarthur won the men’s title, while Baxter, Zoe Sherwin and Sarah Holmes formed the top women's team.
Two other members of Wight Tri posted sub-four hour times.
Craig Wilson finished in a PB time of 3.27.35, which was 18th overall, with Alan Jones also gaining a PB in 3.57.35 and 43rd overall.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article