The South Coast Marathon organised by the British Powerboat Racing Club was run on Saturday the 17th October, it was a RYA National Powerboat Racing Event with the rolling start line between East and West Lepe buoy's out of the Western Solent and down to Portland and then back to a finish Line from Gurnard Ledge buoy a distance of 80.5 nm.

There were a total of thirteen boats entered from Cigarette Powerboats, Sunseeker XS2000 race boats, Cabin Ribs and basically Ribs in all shapes sizes and engine configurations.

Peter Delbridge of Boatshed Hamble.com was on hand in the Boatshed Hamble Rib as a marshal boat for the start and finish as well as having the Official Race Doctor on board.

A mercy dash had to be made after a competitor got thrown out of his boat whilst going round Anvil Point and sustained cuts and bruises. The Boatshed Hamble Rib was soon on the scene and the Race Doctor "Bex" deemed him to be Ok to race another day.

The overall race was won by our old friend Dean Gibbs, who Boatshed Hamble sold a boat to a few years back for the sole purpose of entering the Round Britain Powerboat event. Well done Dean.

It was then back to Drivers Dry Berthing on the River Itchen for prize giving, well earned drinks and a great hog roast.