Round the Island race 2012

While 1,900 very expensive yachts were heading counter-clockwise around the Isle of Wight this weekend, 120 or so intrepid runners were gimping clockwise around the Coastal Path, a journey of 70 miles (plus a couple of extra miles of getting lost, in some cases).

Getting to the island was rather fraught, as the ferry company had one of their two ferries out of commission, so both the queues and the traffic in Southampton were wretched. But when we finally dumped the car and got onto the high speed foot passenger ferry, things started looking up. The sights in Cowes harbour when we arrived were pretty impressive:


We were warmly welcomed by Neil Thubron and the good folks from Extreme Energy, who were hosting the event. Friday night was spent on the gym floor in Cowes High School, a very typical stage race experience. Our co-residents made the usual amount of noise before and during bedtime, and a disturbed night was had by all, which was finished up with some heavy rain and wind.


But by the time we were ready to start, the weather miraculously improved, and remained nice all weekend - sunny and dry, but with some serious headwinds. We walked a mile or so to the East Cowes chain ferry, and as the drawbridge lowered all set off on our respective journeys of 38 miles.

The course was pleasantly varied on both days - a mix of narrow coastal paths, English seafront promenades, steep climbs, woods, cliffs and small roads. On the evening of Day 1, I spoke for a while at the runners' dinner and enjoyed getting to know quite a few of the runners. We were staying at a 1930s style campsite (which was apparently when the carpet was installed). It was primitive, comfortable, fun and very retro; it was like going back in time several decades.

On Day 2, we headed into some very stiff headwinds towards the Needles, and then enjoyed some easier tailwinds as we returned to Cowes. I spent most of the day running with four very nice guys - Hamish, Dave, Will and Ben. Our worst misadventure was getting lost in a Borneo-like jungle of brambles and thorns. Two highlights were meeting up with our friend Leah at Checkpoint #2, and then catching up with Claire shortly before the finish.



Once our medals were hung around our necks, we headed off to our hotel in Cowes, The Fountain. Award-winning fish & chips and two pints of IPA did not disappoint, nor did the "full English" breakfast this morning. It's great to run all day, but it's nice to stop too.

Location:Isle of Wight