Round the Island Multistage Ultra 2011
25th/26th June 2011

Event Report by Extreme Energy
 

At 0600 on a very windy, grey morning at Cowes on the Isle of Wight the starting cannon was fired by TV personality Denise Van Outen to start the Round The Island race. This was of course the famous and largest yacht race in the world. While the excitement was going on out on the water 90 ultra runners were stirring in the near by Cowes High School from a nights sleep to get ready for the Round The Island multiday ultra organised by Extreme Energy, www.xnrg.co.uk. The route took the runners and walkers 70 miles in a clockwise direction around the island (the opposite way to the sailors), 38 miles on day 1 and 32 miles on day 2.

The competitors were set off in 3 stages with the walkers and slower runners starting at 0800, main runners at 0900 and the elite runners at 1000. The start of this race is unique because the competitors get on the chain ferry from West to East Cowes and as the loading ramp lowers down the race starts and the runners pile off on their way round the island. Imagine the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan without the bombs and bullets !!

The route is stunning, taking in some of the best coastal views in the UK, and this is added to with the yachts racing around the island. The route takes in Ryde, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Niton and finishes in Brighstone for the night. The vertical ascent over day 1 is approx 1,500m, with some severe climbs.

The competitors were looked after as they arrived at the Saturday overnight stop. The Extreme Energy team supplied them with tea, coffee, cakes and helped them get their tents up so they could relax and recover for the next day.

After a good full evening meal, a good nights sleep and a fuelling breakfast the competitors set off on the 2^nd day of their epic journey around the island.

Day 2 was a lot easier, if you can call 32 miles easier !! It was shorter and only approx 300m of vertical climb, most of that being in the 1^st 10 miles up to the Needles. Day 2 took in Freshwater, The Needles, Yarmouth, Newtown and finishing along the seafront towards Cowes, then up into Cowes High School. The big challenge on day 2 was the heat and humidity which really sapped the competitors energy.

On arrival at the finish the Extreme Energy team looked after everyone before taking them down to the ferry for the trip home.

There were some fantastic performances at the front of the field with Andrew Lockett winning the event in a time of 10:57, 2^nd was Jaqueline Palmer in a time of 11:23, both very consistent performances throughout the weekend.

Throughout the field there were inspirational performances and everyone who finished the 2 days should be immensely proud. Some heroes that are worth a mention.

There were a team of 3 policemen from the island who entered to raise money for the Hampshire Air Ambulance, Craig Howells from The Royal Regiment of Wales walked the whole of day 1 carrying a huge army rucksack with a bucket to collect donations for children of servicemen killed in the service of their country. The rucksack got heavier and heavier as the day went on ! Or Norman Partington who had to pull out on day 1 after twisting his ankle and being able to hardly walk, who then went on to complete day 2 in 08:43.

All in all a fantastic weekend on the lovely Isle of Wight.
 

Thank you and see you next year....
The Extreme Energy Team