THE BLACKMORE VALE LIONS 16th ANNUAL
HALF MARATHON

2008 Start

Results

2008
Half Marathon
Fun Run
Mens Team Race
Ladies Team Race

2007
Half Marathon
Fun Run
Mens Team Race
 Ladies Ream Race

2006
Half Marathon
Fun Run

 

  

This prestigious event is organised annually by our club. It attracts over 600 entrants made up of serious runners looking for qualification for the London Marathon, as well as families, teams and individuals having fun and raising money for their own charities. The course, which is considered to be relatively easy, with a sting in the tail over the final mile, is centred on the village of Bishops Caundle in Dorset.   
The Blackmore Vale half marathon has been praised as a well organised and friendly event with many competitors returning each year to have another go.
 As well as the marathon we also stage a 5+ mile fun run to be enjoyed by families and those who wish to enjoy the occasion without having to apply too much effort.
This year's event was held on Sunday 3 February on a cold and blustery day, not the best conditions for running.  Even so, despite the weather, the winner managed to break the men's record which has stood for 10 years.
624 entrants from all over the country from USA and Ireland, turned up on the day with 466 runners completing the marathon course and 39 the Fun Run.

 

men's winnerThe winner of the Men's Race and overall winner was Adrian Marriott of Yeovil Town RRC in a record breaking time of 1.09.11.  He was followed in by last year's winner, Peter Roper of the Votwo Co UK/SBR Sports, in a slightly lower time than he achieved last year, of 1.15.08.  Another frequent visitor, Graeme Rasmussen of the Eastleigh Club, was third in 1.16.53
  
Ladies winnerThe Ladies race was won by Jenny Moore of Wells City Harriers, seen here receiving her prize from Ian Simpson, in a time of 1.24.44. This was only 22 secs. below the record set last year. Second came Tracy Cook of North Dorset Triathalon Club in a time of 1.25.22 and she was followed closely by Eileen Coombs representing the Willow Street AC of the USA in a time of 1.25.29.

Team Races

mens winnersThe Mens Team Race was won by the Yeovil Town RRC team of Adrian Marriott, Paul Rose and Mike Harvey with the local Dorset Doddlers coming 2nd and the Running for Ever team a close third.

The Ladies Team prize was again a triumph by the Yeovil Town RRC team of Nina Wagstaff, Jane Mills and Nicky Taylor while last year's winners, Egdon Heath Harriers came second with Bournemouth Joggers third..

Ian Simpson, the Blackmore Vale Lions President is shown here presenting the cup to the victorious mens team.


FUN RUN
 
Fun RunnersAside from the half marathon there was also a 5+ mile fun run. This event is designed to provide less of an ordeal than the main race while at the same time giving runners the opportunity of a run out on a lovely day in ideal conditions and to simply enjoy themselves.   39 runners completed the course and the event was won by Jack Partridge of Poole Runners (u12) in a magnificent time of 34:39. He was closely followed home by Robert Lomas in 35.37 while Rob Ineson another under 12 from Poole Runners came in at 36.00.  Kate Sparrow, who finished 9th overall was the first lady home in a time of 39.45.   Alan Hayes who just missed out on the top three last year finished further down the field but with an improved time of 42:23.  

Presentations:

PresentationThe awards to the individual and team winners was made by Ian Simpson our Club President here seen congratulating Adrian Marriott on his fine achievement in breaking the men's course record.  Ian thanked all those runners who took part in the event, especially those who had come from a long distance, including the USA and Ireland, to help support this year's chosen charity Campaign Sight First 2 and the Blackmore Vale Lions Charity Trust Fund which helps other needy causes in the Blackmore Vale area.   He also congratulated John Peters Of Alderbury, Salisbury who is well on his way to raising £10,000 for the Naomi House children's hospice by competing in three events culminating in the Flora London Marathon. John finished in 211th place in a time of 1.45.58.  
 Ian made special mention of the residents of Bishops Caundle who patiently and kindly put up with the invasion of runners, marshalls and fans each year.  He also thanked the 110 marshalls, officials and helpers who efforts made this event possible.

Please click on photos to enlarge:

To read some of the comments by runners of this event on the Runners World Web site click here.

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