Record Numbers Turn out for Half Marathon
A record breaking field of over 500 runners from as far afield as Scotland and Devon entered the annual St Michael’s Hospice Hereford Half Marathon which took place on Sunday 17th May at the Hereford Leisure Centre and Racecourse. There was a sufficiently long break in the inclement weather to allow the front runners to complete the 13 mile 193 yards course without getting wet. Stephen Paterson from the San Domenico running club in Cardiff won the race in a time of 1 hour 13 minutes and 23 seconds. The course record of 1:8:57 set by Haggy Chepwony in 2006 still stands. Stacey Morgan came in second for Croft Ambrey with a time of 01:18:07, followed by Mick Ballantyne at 01:18:13.
Katie Goodhead from Bristol was the first lady home with a time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 54 seconds followed by local girl Nicky Bradford in 1:29:40 and Marianne Gittoes of Chepstow in 1:29:47. Team “O” from Hereford won the relay half marathon - Nigel Clarke, Paul Nicoll, Tracy Wood and Matt James achieved a time of 1 hour 25 minutes and 55 seconds.
Despite the awful weather hundreds turned out to cheer on the runners many of whom were raising valuable sponsorship for the Hospice. Events Manager Katie Farmer said “ …we are so grateful that people made the effort to come today their support is vitally important to the Hospice, this event is one of our major fundraisers of the year; with more than £3 milllion to raise every penny really does count”
The Hospice would particularly like to thank The Right Worshipful Mayor of Hereford Councillor Kevin Wargen for starting the race, Mark Edwards, Nigel Snow and the team from Sunshine FM for keeping everyone entertained, the massage team from The Royal National College for the Blind, all the course marshals and Simon Perrin for co-ordinating them, the volunteers who manned the water stations, the time keepers, Allpay, South Hereford Garages, Hereford Leisure Centre, Mercia Radios, ABC Print, Ogleby Butchers, Tesco Belmont, Hereford Toolhire, M&M Direct , and everyone that supported this event.
For a full list of results click here For a list of half marathon relay team results click here
To view photographs of the event visit George Burgess Photography website: www.georgeburgessphotography.com and click on Hereford Half Marathon or St Michael's Fun Run.