Runners light up Cheltenham's streets in perfect running conditions

Race report: Cheltenham’s Half Marathon - September 27, 2015

Perfect weather conditions helped light up Cheltenham town in all its glory this morning, as a record 3,257 runners took to the start line of Cheltenham’s Half Marathon, sponsored by Whole Foods Market, as Tipton Harriers runner Ian Williams raced home to victory with a time of one hour ten minutes and 27 seconds. 

In second place came Phil Beastall, from Cheltenham Harriers, in one hour 11 minutes and nine seconds followed by last year’s winner David Roper, also from Cheltenham Harriers in one hour 12 minutes and four seconds. Best women's performances were by Annabel Granger, from Bristol West AC in one hour 21 minutes and ten seconds, with Amie Fithern finishing in second in one hour 22 minutes and 53 seconds, and Shona Crombie-Hicks in one hour 24 minutes and 28 seconds taking third.

The race was started in style by Sophie Lydia-Smith, who also took part to fundraise for the Hollie Gazzard Trust, and the Mayor of Cheltenham, Cllr Duncan Smith. Organisers GO2 were delighted with the turnout and the inspirational crowd support shown by Cheltenham residents. Jamie Warren, Head of Marketing and Commercial, said: "The running community in Cheltenham never fails to impress, with their dedication and commitment to Cheltenham’s Half Marathon. We are so impressed by the growing number of runners and spectators, who together have helped make the race a real staple event in the running and social diary. Congratulations to everyone that took part! All of our participants should feel extremely proud of their achievements, and we hope the events success will inspire many more to sign up for next year’s event when entries open on Tuesday!”

The popular race saw hundreds of runners take on the challenge for a number of charitable causes, and even a world record seeker in Nigel Addison-Evans, who ran the race in hope of breaking the record for the fastest half marathon completed in a full firefighter’s suit.

Ian Brown, an inspirational 48 year old father of five from Gloucester, chose to run for Cancer Research UK, raising over £5,600, after winning his battle with a rare combination of cancers; the primary tumour being located within his right lung, and secondary tumours tracked to his lymphatic system. Mike Hampton, aged 28 for Cheltenham, took part as part of his challenge to run one running event every month or a whole year to fundraise for MIND, building up to his furthest distance at Cheltenham’s Half Marathon.

In addition to the main race, over 600 school children ran a mile as part of the Schools' Challenge in front of thousands of spectators, helping to raise money for charity partners CLIC Sargent, Cobalt Health and the Hollie Gazzard Trust.

If you’ve caught the running bug, or maybe you fancy taking on the challenge for the first time in 2016, entries will open this Tuesday 29th September at www.cheltenhamhalf.co.uk!

Men's results

Women's results

Click here for full results