James Kingston, of Tonbridge AC, added a touch of class to the tough Isle of Wight Half Marathon on Sunday, 17 August 2025. The individual medallist at the last three English National Cross Country Championships, and champion in 2023, won his debut 13.1-mile race by three and a half minutes in an outstanding 1:07:58.

Kingston's time is special because the Isle of Wight Half Marathon course from Ryde Boating Lake in Appley Park climbs more than 600 feet and includes sections of gravel tracks and bridlepaths – none of your smooth, flat, fast tarmac here!

The actual course description on the Ryde Harriers website reads: "The course is undulating throughout and consists of two laps, covering Ryde, Bullen Lane, Goddard’s Farm Lane, Attrill’s Lane (off tarmac gravel track), Nettlestone, back to Bullen Lane for the start of the second lap, Goddard’s Farm Lane to Whitefield Woods (short bridleway section), Carpenters Road, St. Helens, back along gravel track to Goddard’s Farm Lane, Appley and back to Ryde."

The toughest climbs come at five and eight miles, with a final uphill drag in the closing stages before a steep, thigh-burning descent to the finish at the attractive Ryde Boating Lake, where changing and shower facilities are available at Ryde Rowing Club (established in 1877).

The race is promoted by Ryde Harriers, who have been running since 1886. Vectis, as the Romans named the Isle of Wight, tends to hold onto its successful organisations and traditions. This year's half-marathon, aided by a 50% discount on Wightlink Ferries for entrants, attracted 314 runners who finished in just over three and a half hours.

James Kingston's nearest opponents were Chris Newnham (Ryde Harriers, 1:11:28) and Joshua Price (Vectis Academy Race Team, 1:12:37). How the locals must have cursed the presence of the 'grockle' from the mainland – grockle being a 'term of endearment' for tourists!

Another island visitor took the honours in the women's race. W40 Natasha White, of Coventry-based Northbrook AC, won in an impressive 1:22:19 – only two and a half minutes outside her PB of 1:19:45, which she set when winning the Warwick Half Marathon in February. White's podium partners were W35 Carly Scoble (Ryde Harriers, 1:28:45) and Sarah McDade (Reading Roadrunners, 1:32:29).

For details of events promoted by Ryde Harriers, click here.

Full results are available at the runABC South race listing.

Photo courtesy of Ryde Harriers on Facebook