MORE than 150 runners took part in junior and adult races which made up the popular Duver Dash — the first event in this year’s Isle of Wight Festival of Running.
The Duver Dash, a charity event organised by Bembridge Harbour at St Helens Duver, comprised a scenic 5km route for over-16s which took in The Duver, St Helens Beach, Nodes Point Holiday Park and the footpaths and fields, before heading down into St Helens village and towards the harbour — finishing across the Mill Wall and back onto The Duver last Sunday.
The junior event was a 1km course on The Duver, which included a second lap option, with runners ranging in age from five to 14 years.
“It included some amazingly determined and strong performances,” said organisers.
“There were a number of families, where mum, dad and children all ran across the two different courses.”
Medals, custom-made from sustainable Island wood, were awarded to all runners.
The event raised funds for the harbour’s nominated charity, the Sophie Rolf Trust’s KissyPuppy and the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, the organisers of the Isle of Wight Festival of Running, the Island’s premier running event.
The festival has attracted more than 500 entries across its events, which includes today's (Sunday) highlights — The Needles Half Marathon, which finished at the Freshwater centre, taking runners on a rugged route over Tennyson Down.
Also today was the Freshwater 5K and the Needles Junior Fun Run, which were sold out for spaces.
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