With 101 entries the annual Around the Island Relay and Race was run early on Sunday morning the 3rd of November. Past individual walk winner, Jenny Donaldson, led off a record field of 38 individual and team walkers from the Kingston compound at 5.15 am.

Following the walkers, the individual runners and teams took to the course starting at 6.30  using the same staggered start handicap based on age and gender.

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First off the mark was Jonny Sheridan's team followed by Ella Rogers in her first Round Island Relay, with the last team , led by Ben Thomas, starting some 23 minutes later and chasing hard to make up time and trying to reel in the front markers.

Steve Robertson maintained his early pace to take out the individual run title for the first time with an actual time of 2 hours and 7 minutes,  followed across the line by Richard Cribb and third place went to Ric Paey , who after 25kms crossed the line only a stride or two ahead of  Jessica.

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The running teams title went to the team of Candice Snell, Aaron Graham, Katie Walden, Jamie Ryves, Glenn Robinson and Rachel Robinson - a late injury stopped Renee Webster from joining her teammates which was a huge disappointment for her as she had made the Cascade Road/ Prince Philip Drive leg her own over recent weeks as part of her training. Their actual time was exactly 2 hours.

With an average age of just over 9 years the second placed team of Jonny Sheridan,Zanda Robinson,Cameron Christian,Tiana Randall,Billy Andrews, Hugh O'Hare and Kyran Randall ran strongly to cross the line 10 minutes later.

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The "chalkies" team of Mark Millet,Tony Wilkinson,Deb Johnston,Kevin Randall,Michael Vaughan and Ben Hayes took out third place.

The individual walk was a great competition and despite Jenny Donaldsons fast start she was caught shortly after leaving the Park near Anson Bay and then the battle for the title was between Belinda Grube and Shannon O'Hare ,who had started almost 10 minutes behind Belinda. The 25 km course had started to take its toll but finally Belinda's training schedule paid off taking the title just seconds ahead of Shannon after nearly 4 hours. Shannon's actual time of 3 hours and 16 minutes for the entire course was the fastest walk time of the day only missing first place to Belinda on handicap.

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Lance Miller had maintained a steady pace throughout the morning and was rewarded with a third placing in the individual walk.

Walking teams were led across the line by the team of Polly McNamara and Keyden Weakley, in an an actual time for the course of 3 hours 25 minutes, pushing our oldest competitor ,Anne Signal, and her teammate,Janelle Blucher into second place. Third place went to another "chalkies " team of Di Tudball,Toppy Wilkinson,Mark Hall, Michelle Hayes, Nic Beadman and Gary Smith.

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Great to see a number of new faces and visitors to the Island competing this year- a great way to see the Island in a morning and share lots of laughs and enjoy cheers of encouragement from spectators and supporters.

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With our final two walkers, Jeannie Sheridan and Michelle McCoy crossing the line some 4 and a half hours after their start it was time for all competitors and families to enjoy a sausage sizzle and refreshments before winners were announced and prizes presented to the first three place getters in each event category by the President of Athletics Norfolk Island, Brentt Jones.

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Thanks to Parks Australia for again approving our permit to transit through the National Park and special thanks to the Administration for permitting the use of the Headstone road and bridge while repairs are underway, avoiding the need to change the course for this years event.

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Thanks also to the water station marshals on the course, Paula,Pauline, Brentt and chef Geoff;to the starter and official timekeeper,Peter Arthur and to all families,supporters and competitors for once again making for a great mornings activity.