THE unseasonably mixed bag of weather across the Island failed to dampen the spirits of runners who took part in the Isle of Wight Festival of Running weekend.

Events took place over June 10-11.

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Isle of Wight County Press: Freshwater 5k runners on Tennyson Down.Freshwater 5k runners on Tennyson Down. (Image: West Wight Sports and Community Centre)

Some 52 runners braved sunshine and scorching temperatures to run the Freshwater 5k at high noon on the Saturday.

Ross Wilkes, of the Isle of Wight Road Runners, took first place, while Lizzie Faulker came in as first woman.

But by mid-afternoon, the sun had disappeared, as 80 runners covered the challenging Tapnell 10k course, along overgrown paths and across the crop fields of Tapnell Farm Park. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Ross Wilkes won the Freshwater 5k and the Tapnell 10k in quick succession. Ross Wilkes won the Freshwater 5k and the Tapnell 10k in quick succession. (Image: West Wight Sports and Community Centre)

Wilkes still had the energy to make it an amazing winning double for the day, with Natasha Colebrook the first woman home.

On Sunday, it was a very wet start to the Junior Fun Run — but that didn’t deter 13 children — from as young as three years, to ten — from joining in a warm up, with Speedy the Squirrel and SpongeBob, before they raced around Freshwater's Jubilee Field.

There was a spot prize of a Tapnell Farm Park family day pass.

Isle of Wight County Press: Natasha Colebrook was all smiles in the Tapnell 10K.Natasha Colebrook was all smiles in the Tapnell 10K. (Image: West Wight Sports and Community Centre)

By the time the starter gun was fired for the Needles Half Marathon, the rain had stopped and 285 runners battled the humid conditions, to complete the course. 

Chris Newnham, of Ryde Harriers, came first, with Amy Chambers the first woman.

The eight-day event, organised by the West Wight Sports and Community Centre (WWSCC), as a fundraiser for the charity, was supported by more than 100 volunteers and local businesses, including sponsor Love Running, Tapnell Farm Park and TeeMill. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Kids warming up before the Children's Fun Run, with SpongeBob and Speedy the Squirrel.Kids warming up before the Children's Fun Run, with SpongeBob and Speedy the Squirrel. (Image: West Wight Sports and Community Centre)

A partnership with Ryde Harriers brought the Brading 10k road race to the line-up for the first time.

Clare Griffin, general manager of the WWSCC, said “It’s great to make a return to two days of Festival of Running racing. 

"We enjoy welcoming runners from all over the UK — offering the chance to race in some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.”