Half Marathon 2009

THE BLACKMORE VALE LIONS 17th ANNUAL
HALF MARATHON

Race start

Results

2009
Half Marathon
Fun Run
Mens Team Race
Ladies Team Race

2008
Half Marathon
Fun Run
Mens Team Race
Ladies Team Race

2007
Half Marathon
Fun Run
Mens Team Race
Ladies Ream Race

The 17th Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, organised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, was run on Sunday 1 February 2009 in bitterly cold and windy conditions. The race is centred on the Dorset village of Bishops Caundle, near Sherborne, and starts and finishes at the village playing fields. In parallel with the main race, we also stage a 5 mile fun run for families and those who do not want to run the full 13+ miles.

This year there were 650 entrants from all over the UK. This year the race was a part of the Dorset Athletics League programme.

This prestigious event is organised annually by our club and many of the entrants are serious runners looking for qualification for the London Marathon. But there are equally as many families, teams and individuals having fun and raising money for their own charities. Whilst much of the course is considered to be relatively easy the last mile is a real challenge but even so the course does see some fast times.

The run is staged by Blackmore Vale Lions Club to raise funds for charities that we support. This year the chosen charities are the Weldmar Hospice Trust and the NORDCAT Community Transport Service, along with the Blackmore Vale Lions Charity Trust Fund which helps other needy causes in the Blackmore Vale area.

The winner of the Men's Race and overall winner was Doug Hall of Votwo Co. U.K./SBR Sports in 1.13.58. He was followed in by Jon Sharkey of Bournemouth AC, in 1.14.50. Steven Way again of Bournemouth AC was a close third in 1.15.01

The Ladies race was won by Sara Winter who came in at an impressive 16th place overall in a in a time of 1.22.01, a new course record. Second came Sarah Urwin-Mann of Team Bath in a time of 1.23.29 and she was followed by last year's runner up, Tracy Cook of North Dorset Triathlon Club, in a slightly slower time than last year of 1.26.37

Team Races

The Mens Team Race was won by the Bournemouth AC team of Jon Sharkey; Steven Way and Ian Hapgood,with the Clevedon team coming 2nd and the Bournemouth AC 2nd team a close third. (full results)

The Ladies Team prize was won by the Team Bath team of Sarah Urwin-Mann, Lisa Bennett and Zina Marchant, while Poole Runners came second with Clevedon third. (full results)

FUN RUN

Aside 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. 38 runners completed the course and the event was won by Charles Pitt Ford in 34:11. He was followed home some 4 minutes later by Tim Atwell (u12) in 38.51, while Alan Hayes finally managed to make the top three in his third attempt, in a much improved time of 41.04. Emma Pilbeam, who finished 11th overall was the first lady home in a time of 47.58.

Presentations:

The awards to the individual and team winners were made by Peter Oswick, our club President. Peter thanked all those runners who took part in the event, especially those who had come from distant places. Their participation has helped to provide valuable support to this year's chosen charities; Weldmar Hospice Trust and the Nordcat Community Transport Service, as well as Blackmore Vale Lions own Charity Trust Fund. Peter also thanked the residents of Bishops Caundle who are invaded for a few hours each year. He announced that the village would be benefitting from a generous donation from the proceeds of the Half Marathon. We had thought that parking would be made difficult this year following the recent persistent heavy rains, but the cold easterly winds, that made the race so challenging, brought a bonus in drying out the football field so that it could be used for parking.
Peter expressed his appreciation to the 110 officials and volunteer helpers for their hard work and dedication that makes the event possible.

Lion President Peter Oswick is seen here congratulating overall winner, Doug Hall of Vo two Sports, on his fine win in a time of 1.13.58 in very challenging conditions.

Peter presents Sara Winter with her trophy for her win in the lady's half marathon race. Her time of 1.22.01 sets a new course record, made all the more impressive by the prevailing arctic weather. She must have felt at home in the conditions following her victory in the 100 mile Himalaya Stage race. She is now off to South Africa to compete in a half marathon there.

Please click on photos to enlarge:

Click here to sign up now for the 2010 Lions Half Marathon.

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

Enter our guest book to record your experience and suggestions regarding this year's race.

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