Sunday 4th February saw the 26th running of the Blackmore Vale Lions Half Marathon and raised around £4000 (final figures to be approved) to be shared between Victim Support, You First, Mindful, various organisations in Bishops Caundle, and the Blackmore Vale Lions Charity Trust Fund which supports a wide range of charitable causes in and around the Blackmore Vale.
There were 418 runners from the ages of 18 to 77 took part in the annual half marathon and 5 mile Fun Run organised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club with the valuable cooperation of Bishops Caundle Parish Council, All Saints Primary School, Bishops Caundle Village Hall and Social Committee.
The race is part of the Dorset Road Race League and is for many the first organised race of the year. Weather conditions after a wet Friday and Saturday, were almost perfect, although a bit on the chilly side at the start, for this very tough challenge which many runners use as preparation for the London Marathon in April.
The men’s race was won by Toby Chapman of Bournemouth AC in a time of 1h 14m 21s and the women’s race by Vicky Ingham of Poole Runners in a time of 1h 29m 53s. Both times were outside the current records the beating of which would have resulted in the reward of a cash prize.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Men’s overall Toby Chapman Bournemouth AC 1:14:21
Men’s 2nd overall Steven Way Bournemouth AC 1:14:22
Men’s 3rd overall Sean Edwards Lytchett Manor Striders 1:16:07
Ladies’ overall Vicky Ingham Poole Runners 1:29:53
Ladies’ 2nd overall Clare Martin Purbeck Runners 1:30:15
Ladies’ 3rd overall Gemma Bragg Bournemouth AC 1:35:57
Not unsurprisingly Bournemouth AC picked up the Mens Team Prize with Anthony Clark joining Toby Chapman and Steven Way. Poole Runners picked up the ladies Team Prize with Victoria Basey and Paula Barker joining Vicky Ingham.
There were further age group prizes won by Toby Chapman, Sean Edwards, Steven Way, Anthony Clark, Bruce Campbell, Ian Middlebrook, Hamish Murray and Kevin Bryant in the Mens categories and Vicky Ingham, Clare Martin, Clair Snape, Cheryl Binnis, Andrea Lewis, Paula Barker, Frances Anderson and Heather Khoshnevis in the Womens categories.
The Fun Run winner was Joshua Hopson in a time of 38min 36sec. The first lady was Barbara Murray in a time of 46min 53sec.
The major sponsors for this years race was Dike and Sons the family run superstore of Stalbridge and the Southern Coop in Sturminster Newton. Also supporting the event was Else Family Butchers of Stalbridge.
As usual the race was very well supported by a large group of marshalls, drinks providers, recorders and referees from the road running fraternity especially Gillingham Trotters, a2e Medical Services, and Sturminster Newton Rotary Club, Air Cadets, Templecombe Scouts and most importantly the Blackmore Vale Lions ladies who provided all the food and drink both before and after the event. The Blackmore Vale Lions very much thank and appreciate all the organisations that helped make the event the huge success that it is.
We hope to see everyone again on Sunday 3rd February 2019.
A full list of the results can be found on the Lions website at
www.bvlhm.yolasite.com - Click on what you want and it will download a .pdf file
