LEADING Isle of Wight athlete Dan Eckersley produced an outstanding run in the European Masters Athletics Championships in Italy to win gold in the 3,000m steeplechase. 

A member of Ryde Harriers, Dan — representing Great Britain — won the men’s 35-39 age category final in Pescara in style.

The 36-year-old Lancastrian, of Cowes, travelled to Italy in great form.

Dan's preparation for the race could not have been much better — showing he has great endurance by winning the Isle of Wight Half Marathon, in an excellent time on a very undulating course.

With this is mind, Dan set off from the gun leaving the rest of the field strung out behind him in his wake.

He soon pulled away, which gave him a clear lead.

Hitting the bell, with one lap to go, after clocking up 8mins 2secs, he ran a controlled final 400m, keeping the risk of any errors over the barriers, to win gold in 9mins 11.62secs — a clear 19 seconds in front of French silver medalist, Bernard Eclapier.

His coach Geoff Watkin said: "After narrowly being beaten by Olympian, Kaur KivIstik, from Saaremaa, in the recent Island Games in Guernsey, this was just rewards for Dan, who has worked so hard to win European Championship gold.

"His medal adds to the long list of European and national champions with Ryde Harriers, in the masters categories, in recent years — continuing the club's successes."