Four of the island’s leading distance runners produced superb performances in the Gosport half marathon on Sunday morning, which attracted 2000 entries, writes David Griffiths

In perfect conditions on the south coast, Ed Gumbley ran a strong and controlled race to finish 19th in a time of 73 minutes 48 seconds, 12 seconds inside the Main Guideline for the Island Games.

Southampton-based Hannah Howard smashed her pb by 90 seconds to finish fourth in the women’s race in an outstanding time of 81.27, one of the fastest times ever recorded by a Manx woman for the distance. The ever-consistent Gail Griffiths produced another great run, finishing ninth woman in a new pb of 84.45. Hannah’s and Gail’s times are well inside the Island Games Main Guideline.

Caroline Mayers is one of the most improved athletes of 2012 and she executed her race plan to perfection to come home 19th woman. Her time of 88.54 is two minutes inside her pb and inside the Island Games Development Guideline.

(Photos by David Griffiths: top Ed Gumbley and Hannah Howard. Bottom: Gail Griffiths and Caroline Mayers.)