RAT Race attracts over 100 runners

A 17-year-old runner from Newport set the pace at this year’s Nettlestone road and track, ‘RAT Race’, the first time the event has been held since the pandemic.

A total of 109 runners entered the event across three distances: a five-mile course, a 5km (3 mile) course and a children’s 600m (1968ft) for the Friends of Nettlestone School (FONS) group, which is run by parents of children at the school.

Both groups competing in the 5km and five-mile races started together at 10.30am, after a quick warm-up routine by local fitness instructor, Phil Bell. The Island’s High Sheriff, Dawn Haig-Thomas, competed in the 5km course with her three children to raise awareness of her literacy programme for Island primary schools.

Winner of the five-mile race, Louis Forster, 17, from Newport said: “It was a good course, overall, very enjoyable. The great views definitely help; they motivate you a lot more.”

Race organiser, Sarah Peake, added: “It’s been an absolutely great day; it’s been so nice to see the local community come together helping with marshalling, local businesses supporting the runners and the school hosting the event.

“It was great to see so many families running the longer courses with primary-aged children – embracing the challenge of a hilly 5km and crossing the finish line with a smile on their face – including Alex Reese, from Year Five at Nettlestone Primary taking on the tough five-mile route, running it in an incredible time.”

The children’s 600m race was won by Harry Pragnell, second was Lucas Hammond and Arthur King was third.

The 5km race was won by former Nettlestone Primary student, Freya Taylor, who recently competed in the Island Games. Joint second were Joshua Peake and Noah Redrup, with Eugene Smitherman in fourth. In the five-mile course, following Louis home were Nick Jeffries and Oliver Bezer.