Angie Sadler and Phillip Howells and competed for Tewkesbury AC (along with two other ultra-running friends). Here's Phil's report:
We didn't have the heat of London, but the course is a really tough one with four climbs on each of the 7.5 laps, so 30 climbs in all. This is perfect terrain for Angie of course and she not only finished an impressive 2nd overall and first
lady, but she also set a new ladies course record of 3-14-53, behind only a now 3 times winner at Tresco, Bob Brown, who is famous for winning the Race Across America last year and has other extreme long distance runs to his credit. He recorded 3-02-58. As you can imagine, Angie was treated as very much the star during the presentations, with lots of glassware to bring back in her baggage (the large trophy, once engraved with her name for posterity, has, rather thankfully, to stay behind on display in the HQ Island Hotel on Tresco). Phillip Howells finished in a reasonably respectable 3-35-56, a few minutes slower than last year, but still 11th overall and 3rd vet over 50, 2 days after his 60th.
The event is the total antidote to London, with a maximum of 125 competitors, totally traffic free concrete paths and stunning views across the Scilly isles each lap. Tresco is one of the 5 inhabited islands in the Scillies and most runners get transported by boat from the main island of St Mary's on the morning of the event. Since the tides were very high this year we had to be landed directly onto a sandy beach from the prow of the boat - as if we were invading Romans or Vikings! Quite an experience in itself! There can't be many marathons starting in such dramatic fashion?
You feel as if being treated like royalty, such is the enthusiasm for inhabitants and visitors for the event. Each finisher gets presented individually with their medal by at least one or two celebrity guests, and since the race was instigated by the Head Chef on the island's 5-star Island Hotel, whose daughter has Cystic Fibrosis and for which charity cause each runner has to raise at least £300 to compete, the post-race banquet is an amazing feast; a truly sumptious spread. Every runner also gets a shower and free massage within rooms in the hotel immediately after the finish. Highly recommended to anyone who would like something a bit different, including a very pleasant weekend in the lovely islands.