by The Isle of Wight has selected its athletes to take part in next summer’s Island Games in Orkney.
The Games will take place in July and the Island team includes several promising athletes.
However, Dan Eckersley will not be competing in his favorite steeplechase, as he is not part of the program this time around.
Eckersley, a two-time winner of the event, won silver at the last Games in Guernsey.
Read more: Island Games 2023: More medals for Isle of Wight athletes in Guernsey
He hopes to take part in distance races and is looking forward to his first half marathon, after setting an impressive time at the Manchester Half in May.
He will be joined at the half marathon by fellow Ryde Harrier, Dave Hunt, who is excited to make his Games debut.
The women’s half marathon also has a strong line-up, with Carly Scoble, a member of Guernsey’s gold medal-winning team, and Bethany Howarth, set to make her first appearance at the Games.
Ellen Williams will compete in the 5,000m, another debutant athlete for this event.
Read more: Meet the athletes lined up by Team Isle of Wight at the Island Games
Amy Kelland returns for her second Games, having won silver in the 10,000m in Guernsey and will also compete in the 5,000m.
High jumper Charlie Button, who competed in Gibraltar in 2019, returns to the team.
Now living in London, he is coached by Carol Jackson, who has coached Olympic medalists.
Jacob Patey is aiming to improve on his fifth place finish in the 110m and 400m hurdles in Guernsey.
His twin brother, Noah, will also compete, moving up from the steeplechase.
Archie Pearson, the youngest athlete to represent the Isle of Wight at the Games, will focus on the 1500m – and could also run the 800m.
Eddie Chambers will also compete in the 800m, having clocked 1.58.05 earlier this year.
Eden Canning is ready for her third Games, competing in the 100m hurdles. She will be accompanied by Sophie Hogton, a talented junior athlete.
Sophie McCallum, 16, will also participate in the 100m, after having made some history on the Island by breaking the 13-second barrier.
Holly Whitter will contest the javelin, after recovering from a broken arm suffered in training. She will also be part of the 4x100m relay team.
Skyler Brown will compete in the shot put and is also on the relay team.
Team leaders Nick Groocock and Nicola Canning are excited to lead the team, despite the cost and logistical challenges.
