The great-granddaughter of the founder and organiser of the Isle of Wight Marathon has completed her first 26-mile course, placing in the top 200 women at the San Diego Marathon.
In the early hours of Sunday morning (June 4), Ryde Harriers Running Club’s Ashlie Leal set out to compete in the race in Southern California.
At 6.15am in Balboa Park, over 10,000 athletes, both marathon and half marathon runners, set off around the city streets and freeways of San Diego, finishing in downtown.
Competing in her first marathon, Ashlie was understandably anxious, but there was no need for concern.
Ashlie completed the course in three hours and 51 minutes, placing 147th in a field of around 1,500 women.
An ex-Ryde School pupil, Ashlie is currently living and working in the US and resides not far from San Diego.
The great-granddaughter of the late Eddie Leal, founder and organiser of the IW Marathon race, Ashlie thought she would give the distance a try.
Started in 1957 and now the longest continuously held marathon event in the world, this year’s IW Marathon will be held on October 8.
In 1963, the Island’s race also played host to the world’s first and official, fully sanctioned women’s marathon, with the very first ‘world best’ time set by Dale Greg.
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
Read the rules here