200 Runners Face Wet Weather For West Wight Chilly Hilly

The ninth West Wight Chilly Hilly 10 mile multi-terrain race took place on Sunday 10th December.

Despite challenging conditions underfoot, rain and strong gusty winds, over 200 runners took on the amended course, diverted this year to avoid flooding in Afton Marsh and the damaged sea wall in Colwell.

As has become traditional for the race, a sprint finish saw a win for Chris Lucus from Reading Road Runners in an impressive time of 1:09:07, pipping last years winner Joe Driscol, from Winchester Running Club, to the line. Third man was local athlete Josh Price of Isle of Wight Road Runners.

Melanie Hyder from Chandlers Ford Swifts led the ladies in with a time of 1:24:05, followed by England Ultrarunner Valeria Sesto, with local ironman competitor Charis Jones finishing third.

All runners were awarded a festive, sustainable medal made by local company Meridian3 and sponsored by Island Renewables.

Event sponsor, local running store Love Running was well represented on the course, with several members of the Love Running Tuesday Nighters club taking on the event for the first time. 

Clare Griffin, Event Director said:

"We impressed with the fortitude of all the runners who embraced the spirit of the West Wight Chilly Hilly in challenging conditions. We are thrilled that the race has become a popular event for locals and visitors alike.

"As our largest winter fundraising event, we are grateful to an army of volunteers and we thank them all for their generosity of time in such cold & wet conditions!”

The Isle of Wight Festival of Running 2024 will take place from 2th to 9th June next year, with an exciting calendar of events being planned. Early Bird Entry to the annual Needles Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday 9th June at midday, is now open.