By Isle of Wight Observer
More than 25,000 runners of all ages, including a large Island contingent with a team from Mountbatten, took part in a weekend of sport, during the Great South Run in Portsmouth.
At the start of Sunday’s main event, it was announced that the £1million barrier had been reached for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation, as a legacy to Claire Lomas, who died last year.
She became a paraplegic as a result of a riding accident in 2007, and was a prolific fund-raiser. She first completed the course in 2017, in her robotic suit, walking through the night, returning twice again to take on the course in her wheel-chair.
The race saw close-fought battles for first place in both the elite men’s and women’s runs. Marc Scott (Richmond & Zetland Harriers) was the winner of the Elite Men’s race in 47m 21s, adding to his 2019 win, with Baldvin Magnusson second in 47:39 and Jake Smith third, 47:53.
In the women’s event, it was third time lucky for Verity Ockenden (Swansea Harriers AC) who finished ahead of the pack to take the crown in 56m3 7s, with Kate Estlea-Morris second in 56:46 and Beth Kidger third, 56:48.
Running royalty, Dame Kelly Holmes started the elite female athlete race to kick off the morning, before joining the masses to take on the 10-mile route herself.
The previous day, Southsea seafront was awash with happy faces this morning as the 5k, and Junior & Mini events returned.
More than 1,000 local runners lined up to run the brisk, flat course around the esplanade, with Oakley Knipe the fastest male runner in 15m 31s, with Imogen Edwards the fastest female in 17:08.
Isle of Wight Observer