Ryde 10-Mile - A Scenic Challenge (& Chips)
The Ryde 10-Mile Race: A Scenic Challenge (& Chips)
Sunday, 2nd February marked the much-anticipated Ryde 10-Mile Race, hosted by the Ryde Harriers. This event was the 7th fixture of the season in the Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL) and the only one held on the Isle of Wight. Being on the other side of the Solent meant an early start for Alton Runners as they travelled down together on the Wightlink ferry, FastCat, or hovercraft.
The race started on the sea wall by Ryde Harbour and concluded at the harbour slipway. The course, a single lap, was both undulating and scenic, taking runners through Ryde, Puckpool, Seaview, St. Helens, Nettlestone, and before heading back to Ryde. The course was updated for 2025, with the final hill making way for a flat coastal finish.
James Kidwell appreciated the favourable conditions: "Once again the weather gods were on our side, tough running up the hills but fun zooming down them. The new course was a big hit, I really appreciated the coastline finish straight."
The event was a sell-out, with 596 runners completing the course, and eighteen runners proudly wore the yellow vests of Alton. Each finisher received a medal that showcased Ryde’s pier and shoreline, and the weather was perfect, with sunny skies and little wind.
As well as the scenic, challenging course, one of the reasons this is such a hit with Alton Runners is the promise of fish and chips on the beach before heading home. It’s a real club day out – more than just a race.
Alton Runner Christopher Colley shared his enthusiasm, saying, "It's one of my favourite road races of the year because of the challenging hills, scenic views, and having fish & chips afterwards."
 |
Alex Hall was the first Alton male to finish, placing 27th overall. Rachel Walsh, the Women's Captain, was the first Altonian lady home, finishing as the 4th female overall. The Alton Runners Men's team finished 9th, with Christian Coles and Alistair Smith joining Alex in the scoring positions. The Women's team finished 10th, with notable performances from Samara Kelleher-Jacobs and Diane Byrne.
 |
 |
Samara Kelleher-Jacobs and Andrew Lowton achieved personal bests (PB) for the 10-mile distance – and that’s no mean feat on the hills of Ryde. Samara took an impressive 3-minutes off her previous best time, but Andrew's PB was not a surprise as it was his first 10-mile race. He expressed his gratitude, saying, "I finished third in the M60 category. Lovely day out in the sunshine.”
 |
 |
The Ryde 10-Mile Race was a memorable event, combining challenging terrain, stunning views, and perfect weather, making it a highlight of the HRRL season. The next HRRL fixture is the Salisbury 10 in April before Alton Runner’s own event, the Alton 10, on Sunday 11th May. The Alton 10 is open to both club and local runners who fancy a 10-mile run around Alton and the surrounding villages. For more information, visit www.altonrunners.co.uk.
Article by Lydia Andrews
Photos by Richard Scrase
04/02/2025