Weekend review: February 23 & 24, 2013

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Born to Run in Llanelli

Matt Rogersone reports from the event: "May I say a huge thank you and congratulations to all who made the ‘Born to Run’ 40 mile Ultra Marathon a success. On a bitterly cold Llanelli day there were 40 hardy starters from 57 that had entered with entries coming from across the UK. That there were 38 finishers with times ranging from just over 5 hours to nearly 9.5 hours with the only two ‘DNF’s being pulled against their will and for their own personal health and safety shows the fighting spirit on show with runners braving minus temperatures, snow storms and biting winds. Someone did mention seeing the sun at one point but there mental state at this point is still under question.

"The winner of the race in a fantastic time of 5:16:00 was Steve Babb of Newquay Road Runners whilst first lady home was Elaine Dean in 6:40:30.

"Saying that, the whole field should be proud of their fantastic efforts on a deceivingly demanding route that started from Bynea Cycle Club and went along the coastal path to Burry Port Industrial Estate before turning back and through Sandy Water Park to join the Mynydd Mawr route heading inland up past Pontyberem to Tumble before returning to the cycle club.

"Along with the fantastic efforts of the runners the event’s success was in no small part down to the support and efforts of everyone at Bynea Cycle Club, St. Johns Ambulance and the superb team of marshalls and supporters some of whom braved the cold for up to 10 hours. A huge thank you to all.

See you next time…."

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for full results

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Heartbreak Run Festival

There was a warm welcome in the bar for registration at Sandy Balls holiday park, which was at odds with the very cold wind that greeted the runners on the start line. This race takes place in a beautiful part of the New Forest and the facilities on the holiday park make for a fantastic pre and post-race experience.

The marathon runners set off first and headed off on a short stretch of road, then turned onto a footpath and climbed up to a ridge. The marathon and half-marathon are run on a T-shaped route, with the marathon doing three laps of the horizontal top of the T and the half-marathon runners doing one. While there aren’t any huge hills, it is a constantly undulating and testing route. The organisation was fantastic, from registration to the race briefing to the endlessly enthusiastic marshals, who were stood out on a windy ridge in the freezing cold. They deserve huge praise for their support of runners.

The T shaped route made for a very friendly event with lots of greetings as you saw the same runners over and over again. It also meant that you got glimpses of the leaders on every lap. In the marathon the winner, Andy Weir of Thames Hare and Hounds, opened a big gap and ended up finishing in 2.43.53, 13 minutes ahead of David Symons in second, also of Thames Hare and Hounds. Third place was brilliantly taken by a female runner, Jo Meek of Tavistock, showing what a level playing field endurance running can be.

The half marathon was also won by a big margin of 3 minutes. Stuart Holloway of Salisbury took the win in 1.18.00, with Lewis Chalk of Stubbington Green Runners in second. Winner of the women’s race was Sarah Chalenor of Poole in 1.32.55. There was also a 10k, which was won by Wil Newbury.

Race New Forest organise fantastic running and triathlon events throughout the year. They are always a bit on the undulating side but the views more than make up for it.

Men's marathon results

Women's marathon results

Men's half marathon results

Women's results

Men's 10km results

Women's 10km results

Click here for full results

Huddersfield 10K Road Race

Promoted by Huddersfield Road Runners, the 24th annual Huddersfield 10K Road Race was won in record time (32.28) by Mohamed Aburezeq of Altrincham & District AC, knocking 17 secs of previous record and finishing over 3 mins ahead of second placed Kevin Ogden of Spenborough AC.

Amy Green of Keighley & Craven took the ladies prize with a time of 39.57, ahead of Penny Ditchfield of Meltham AC in 40.52 and Emma Wolff of Penistone Footpath Runners in 42.10.

There were 511 finishers, in good weather conditions. A £100 bonus was awarded to the winner for breaking the record.

The men's team prize went to Stadium Runners, while Holmfirth Harriers were the winning women's team.

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for full results in due course

Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon

Snow and bitterly cold conditions greeted nearly 2000 hardy runners, who turned out for the 30th Anniversary of the Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon.

The first race took place 30 years ago in 1983, attracting only 53 runners back then, and has been organised by volunteers from local club Tunbridge Wells Harriers ever since. It is now considered one of the best half marathons in the South East and attracts a wide range of elite, club and fun runners alike.

Sponsored by local car dealership Lifestyle Renault, the race is the biggest sporting event in the Town pulling together the whole community, businesses, sponsors, partners and volunteer groups. The course is hilly and challenging with the renowned lung busting Spring Hill at 7.5 miles and has hardly changed over the 30 year history.

The men's race started with a close contest between race favourite,Tom Payn (Run-Fast.net), Anthony Jackson (Sittingbourne Striders) and last year's second place runner Paul Martelletti (Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets). Payn eventually pulled away and went on to take the win in an excellent time of 1:07.11 (the 3rd fastest time in the history of the event) leaving Paul Martelletti and Anthony Jackson to battle it out for second and third. Martelletti slipped ahead and took second in 1:10.00 followed by Jackson in 1:10.45.

Photos © Sportcam.net

In the ladies event, previous 8 time winner Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood AC), took the lead from the start and looked likely to take her ninth win. But Deirdre McDermot from Tonbridge AC had other ideas, pushing past her at the half way point, with a superb run to take the overall win in 1:21.58. Oldershaw followed in second place still in a respectable time in 1:22.36 with Hannah Howard (Eastleigh Running Club) in third in 1:24.21.

This year's event was officially started by John Smith, the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells along with Tunbridge Wells Harriers members, 81 year old Graham Brooks and Eric Schofield, who both ran in the first ever event in 1983. The Tunbridge Wells Mayoress Rebecca Smith was also running in aid of Hospice in the Weald after her own personal battle with cancer.

Race Ambassadors from the official race charity, The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, were Paralympic Footballer Darren Harris, Olympic Judo Kelly Edwards and Paralympic Footballer Alistair Patrick-Heselton who handed out medals and prizes. All profits are donated directly to charity and over the last 6 years the race has raised close to £100,000 to worthy causes.

The real star of the show, however, was probably Bagpuss (aka Ross Woods) who finished in a superb time of 2:20 in aid of Hospices of Hope.

Photos © Sportcam.net

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for full (provisional) results