Winning The RAT Race: 17-Year-Old Local Runner Sets Pace In Nettlestone

A 17-year-old runner from Newport set the pace at this year’s Nettlestone ‘RAT Race’ - the first time the event has been held since the pandemic.

Teenage wunderkind Louis Forster set a blistering pace which saw him cross the finishing line ahead of a competitive field.

He said:

“It was a good course, overall very enjoyable.

"The great views definitely help, they motivate you a lot more.”

A total of 109 runners entered the event across three distances: a 5-mile course; a 5km course and a children’s 600m race.

The event - which was sponsored by Grace’s Bakery and Hovertravel - raised more than £1,000 for the Friends of Nettlestone School (FONS) group, which is run by parents of children at the school.

Both groups competing in the 5km and 5-mile races started together at 10.30am after a quick warm-up routine by local fitness instructor Phil Bell.

The Island’s High Sheriff Dawn Haig-Thomas (below) competed in the 5km course with her three children to raise awareness of her literacy programme for Island primary schools.

Dawn Haig-Thomas, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, declared:

“The Nettlestone Primary community is really special, it was lovely to see the children doing a 600m race before the main event…

"It’s just so important that they get into the habit of exercise and have the confidence that they can run.”

Race organiser, Sarah Peake, added:

“It was great to see so many families running the longer courses with primary-aged children - embracing the challenge of a hilly 5km and crossing the finish line with a smile on their face.

This included Alex Reese from Year 5 at Nettlestone Primary taking on the tough 5-mile route, running it in an incredible time.”

The children’s 600m race was won by Harry Pragnell; second was Lucas Hammond and Arthur King was third.

The 5km race was won by former Nettlestone Primary student Freya Taylor, who recently competed in the Island Games; joint second were Joshua Peake and Noah Redrup; with Eugene Smitherman in third.

The 5-mile course was won by 17-year-old Louise Forster from Newport; second was Nick Jeffries and Oliver Bezer was third. 

Next year’s event will also be in September, with the date to be announced shortly. All race info can be found on the Nettlestone RAT Race event website.