20th July 2010 - Andy Wilmot's 500th Marathon

[Ranson]

Halstead Road Runner and Marathon specialist Andy Wilmot completed his 500th Marathon at the Fairlands Valley Challenge in Stevenage. Well done Andy! HRR are very proud of you!

Andy was presented with an engraved trophy by HRR Chairman Keith Thorogood. See picture reference 067. Picture 017, Andy in action. Picture 072 (left to right) Keith Thorogood, Les Morley, Teresa Challis, Wayne Kern, Andy Wilmot, Sam Wolton and Neil Murfitt.

With a choice of three distances, 12 mile, 18 mile, and the full marathon,
this off -road challenge is very popular. Sam Wolton, Theresa Challis, and Les Morley ran the 12 mile course, whilst Bob & Sue Langley walked the same distance.

The remainder: Andy Wilmot, Bob Parmenter, Keith Thorogood, Wayne Kern, and
Neil Murfitt, all completed the full Marathon 26.4 mile course. Andy also
had a 30 year old workmate Peter, who had never run more than 5 miles
before, and not trained for this event. Peter kept up with Andy finishing together.

The conditions were very warm and humid, solid underfoot, on a gently undulating
course, with a few long inclines. Finishing times were as follows :

12 Mile

Theresa Challis 2 hrs 12 mins
Sam Wolton 2 hrs 12 mins
Les Morley 2 hrs 59 mins
Bob &Sue Langley(walk) 3 hrs 58 mins

26.4 Marathon

Andy Wilmot 5 hrs 08 mins
Wayne Kern 5 hrs 15 mins
Bob Parmenter 5 hrs 22 mins
Keith Thorogood 5 hrs 22 mins
Neil Murfitt 5 hrs 41 mins

Gavin Allen and Stewart Ellis (running for Braintree AC) travelled to St Ives in Cambridgeshire to compete in the St Ives 10km race hosted by Huntingdonshire AC.

The course was mainly road and footpaths, with a long part of the course on an open airfield which saw many athletes struggle with the extremely strong winds!

In a field of almost 600 competitors the following results were recorded:-

Gavin Allen 5th..........35:36
Stewart Ellis 62nd......42:26

Alongside this race was the Mayors Junior 3K Cross Country Race, this was also very popular with over 100 athletes.

Halstead brothers Luke and Matthew Allen competed in this race, Luke paced himself superbly and again showed his stamina, challenging many of the older athletes. Luke had an outstanding race coming across the line in 7th position winning the trophy for 1st under 11 boy in a time of 12:33. Not to be outshone by his older brother, 7 year old Matthew Allen also had a fantastic race and flew around the course in 14:34 coming 26th and winning the trophy for 1st under 9 boy.

WELL DONE to all!

For senior membership enquiries please call Club Captain Wayne Kern 07801 722794 and for juniors (8-15 year olds) please contact Peri Collins 01787 223150.