| Half Marathon facts | Record finishers:
Men: Barry Royden (Medway AC) 65.33 in 1999
Women: Andrea Green (Dartford AC) 75.36 in 2001.
Record turn-out: 997 runners in 2003
Current team champions (Men and women): Tunbridge Wells Harriers |
 | | BBC South East presenter Juliette Parkin |
A record 1,089 runners braved the extreme cold and biting winds to take part in the 23rd Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon on Sunday morning. The turn-out was a remarkable achievement, considering the dreadful conditions in which runners set off amid flurries of snow and driving sleet and then battled with a cruel headwind along the final three miles. Thankfully, here was no repeat of the blizzard which forced last year's event to be cancelled. And the weather couldn't prevent Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC underlining his mastery of the taxing course by winning the event for the third time in a row. In an awesome run, Rendall finished first in 1.13.56, almost two minutes ahead of second placed Dominic Elsby of Victoria Park Harriers. Third place went to David Hall of Dartford Roadrunners. Miranda Heathcote of Tonbridge AC was the first woman home in 1:24:25 almost two minutes ahead of previous champion Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood AC who came second and Rosalie Uphill of Hastings AC in third place. No surprise With winners in both the male and female sections it was no surprise that the Tonbridge club also took both the men's and women's team prizes. Organisers Tunbridge Wells Harriers, who worked tirelessly to bring back the event after last years' race was cancelled, came fourth in the men's team competition and took second place among the ladies teams. The Harriers also secured a hatfull of new personal bests, the most notable being that of Sarah Russell who finished in 1:32; 28, sixth lady, and knocked three minutes off her previous best. Russell said: "The brilliant support around the course made a massive difference - big thanks to all the marshals for standing out in the cold - I think running it was easier!"
Terry Everest kept up his great run of form by being the first finisher from the club – 24th place overall – in 1.23.58. It was a great achievement considering Everest had also competed in the National Cross-Country Championships the day before. Other personal bests included Kay Learmond (641st, 1:53:16, despite an injury), Lizzy Bowen (684, 1:54:44), Peter Nuttall (704, 1.55.36), Lucille Joannes (718, 1.56.20), Holly Manktelow (761, 1:57:45) and the club's youngest member, 17-year-old Nicholas Marceta who came in an impressive 693rd 1:55.01. Also putting in great runs for the Harriers were Daryl Palfrey (30th, 1:24:51), Rob Ledger (60, 1:27:54), Michael Thomson (61, 1:27:55), Stephen Reader (95, 1:30:22), Ian Wylie (314, 1:41:33), James Davies (320, 1:41:41), Derek Harrison (348, 1:42:42), Lindsay Turner (381, 1:44:00), Jackie Morton (422, 1:45:04), Peter Lautch (514, 1:48:05), Tracy Saunders (522, 1:48:23), John Johnson (526, 1:48: 34), Ana-Maria Green (568, 1:50:16), Daniel Grant (642, 1:53:16), Carole Kennedy (667, 1:54:13), Catherine Thorp (668, 1:54:14), Bryon Taylor (1050, 2:29:35), and Graham Brooks (1051, 2:29:42). Anyone wishing to find out their time, or get more information on Tunbridge Wells Harriers should log on to www.twharriers.org.uk. BREAKOUT RESULTS: Winner (Men): Julian Rendall (Tonbridge AC) 1.13.56 Winner (Women): Miranda Heathcote (Tonbridge AC) 1:24:25 Team Prize (Men ): 1,Tonbridge AC; 2, Blackheath & Bromley; 3, Maidstone Harriers.
Team Prize (Women): 1, Tonbridge AC; 2, Tunbridge Wells Harriers; 3, Sevenoaks AC |
