By Isle of Wight Observer
Saturday saw the annual Hampshire Cross Country Championship return to the 95-acre Fairthorne Manor, near Southampton, with Island athletes producing a series of strong performances on a demanding course.
Although there was still plenty of mud underfoot, conditions were kinder than in previous years as runners from IW Road Runners and Ryde Harriers took part in the senior and masters races, competing alongside athletes from across the county.
In the senior and masters women’s 9km (5.6 miles) race, Alice Rayner of IW Road Runners was the first Island athlete home, completing the course in 45m 30s. She was followed by club-mate, Carolyn Littleton, in 52m 31s, a performance that also secured third place in her age category. Ryde Harriers’ Pauline Stirling completed the Island line-up in 58m 27s.
The senior and masters men’s 11km (6.8 miles) race also saw a strong showing from Island runners. Ross Wilkes, of IW Road Runners, led the way, finishing in 44m 47s, with Trevor McAllister, of Ryde Harriers, close behind in 49m 57s. Ben Rand was next Island athlete home in 51m 25s, followed by Johnny Jenkins in 51m 44s, James Shoulder in 52m 8s and Rob Holdsworth in 56m 50s, all representing IW Road Runners.
After the event, Ross said: “I’m immensely proud of this group of athletes we have with the club at the moment. They work so hard in training and on race day. Most importantly, they do it all with a smile on their face too. Bring on 2026.”