This weekend, Wisbech Inline Speed Skaters took part in the annual six hour endurance race held at Gravesend for a second year along with 25 other teams of solo, duo and teams of five from the UK and Europe.

Wisbech registered two teams – WISS A, consisting of five strong, experienced masters category skaters and WISS B, made up of our young, eager skaters ranging from the age of 14.

The 1.4 miles of track was extremely challenging for the skaters with its downhill straights, tight bends, a tricky right hander and a long uphill leading onto the start/finish straight.

Both teams rotated one lap per skater, executing a relay push changeover, after event organisers favoured this over a baton relay changeover.

A total of 72 laps of the circuit were completed in blistering sunshine to finish in a respectable 4th and 5th place in the Men’s category. Team coach Mike McInerney recorded a time of 4 mins 3 seconds on the 1.4 mile stretch making it the fastest lap for Wisbech.

Twins Lucy and Eve McInerney competed in the only all-female team at the event and completed 70 laps of the circuit. They joined fellow skaters from London Skaters, Team SWF and Essex Inline Skaters.

The day was a more relaxed event than the team are normally used to with the inclusion of a Best Dressed category. Mike McInerney won the coveted prize in style after skating two laps dressed as Elvis!

The team feel positive and are now focussing on back-to-back races in Birmingham and London over the next two weeks ahead of the build-up to the British Championships later in June.