Weston and Whitty lead home bumper Liberation 7 race

Friday 10 May 2024

A bumper field hit the roads for a running tradition that has deep roots in the island’s Liberation Day celebrations.

The Source Recruitment Liberation 7 attracted 157 runners all heading from Rousse around the northern coastal roads to North Beach.

They were led home by Rick Weston, who's fast start seemed to settle the result at the front end of the race in the opening minutes, in a time of 36:39, quick enough for seventh on the all-time list.

The fastest woman was Natt Whitty, returning after a disrupted period of training, in 43:14.

Weston went out hard with his closest challenger, James Priest, settling into a lonely and unchallenged second place finish (38:04).

The battle for the final podium spot was the most interesting of the day.

Young Jack Rees had established a gap at the start from a more experienced pack of six and it was a case of who had their pacing right into an unfavourable wind.

Matt Jamieson broke away from the group around the Bridge and set about hunting down Rees, who in the end relied on his kick at the end to take third by just two seconds in 39:27.

Abbie Swain was the second woman home in a new PB for the seven mile course of 45:23, placing her 14th on the women's all-time list, with Chloe Truffit third in 46:24.

The course record for a race held every year since 1946 except for when Covid hit is still held by Dave Kreckler in 34:39 from 1966.

A group of runners from Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds attracted some of the biggest cheers of the day, all running dressed as the character from Where's Wally.

Full results HERE.