RECORD numbers of runners descended on the West Wight over the weekend to take part in the third annual Isle of Wight Festival of Running.

Organised by the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, the festival featured a series of races for people of all ages and abilities, from a children’s fun run to more extreme events on some of the toughest terrain in the south of England.

Isle of Wight County Press: The start of the children’s Fun Run on Sunday, part of the IW Festival of Running last weekend. Photo: Michael Dangerfield The start of the children’s Fun Run on Sunday, part of the IW Festival of Running last weekend. Photo: Michael Dangerfield

Some 774 competitors from across the Island and UK took part in the events, which began with the Farringford 5km and Tapnell 10km runs on Saturday.

After hordes of youngsters enjoyed a fun run near the sports centre on Sunday morning, came the event most serious athletes had been waiting for — the gruelling Needles Half Marathon.

Isle of Wight County Press: Lucy Thompson negotiates the rocky terrain along the seafront at Colwell in this year’s Needles Half Marathon. Photo: Michael Dangerfield Lucy Thompson negotiates the rocky terrain along the seafront at Colwell in this year’s Needles Half Marathon. Photo: Michael Dangerfield

But it was last year’s Isle of Wight marathon winner, Gary Marshall, 38, wearing the vest of the Wootton Bridge Runners, who was the first Island athlete home, losing out on a win by 22 seconds to Luke Montgomery, of Corby Athletics Club.

Isle of Wight County Press: Ex-soldier Gary Marshall (wearing green) came second to Luke Montgomery (in blue) in the Needles Half Marathon. Photo: Michael DangerfieldEx-soldier Gary Marshall (wearing green) came second to Luke Montgomery (in blue) in the Needles Half Marathon. Photo: Michael Dangerfield

The two were neck and neck throughout, with Luke, who described Gary as brilliant, pulling away to finish in 1.22.51.

Afterwards, Gary said: “I had a nice, steady-paced race. I took a tumble in a field, but didn’t come to any harm. I ran a strong race, but Luke had a stronger finish.”

Isle of Wight County Press: An exhausted Hayley Baxter, of the Isle of Wight Road Runners, was the first Island woman to finish the Needles Half Marathon. Photo: Jennifer ThompsonAn exhausted Hayley Baxter, of the Isle of Wight Road Runners, was the first Island woman to finish the Needles Half Marathon. Photo: Jennifer Thompson

First woman was Faye Johnson, from Pontepool and District Runners, with Hayley Baxter, of the Isle of Wight Road Runners (IWRR), the first Island woman home in 1.47.56.

Ross Wilkes, of IWRR, won the Tapnell 10k in 17mins 57secs.

There was a large contingent of Ryde Harriers in the Needles Half Marathon, with Newchurch Primary school's head of PE, Adam Tuck, their quickest, clocking in with a time of 1.31.19.

Isle of Wight County Press: Carolyn Littleton and Michelle Wray having bags of fun in the Tapnell 10k. Photo: Michael DangerfieldCarolyn Littleton and Michelle Wray having bags of fun in the Tapnell 10k. Photo: Michael Dangerfield

Next year’s event is on May 30 and 31.

Entries open on July 1 to: www.iwfor.co.uk