Half Marathon 2009

THE BLACKMORE VALE LIONS 18th ANNUAL
HALF MARATHON

Ladies record beaten again

Bournemouth Athletic Club men dominate

The 18th Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, organised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, was run on Sunday 7 February 2010. The race was at the Playing fields, Bishops Caundle, near Sherborne, Dorset. This year's event was also a Dorset League Race. The weather was kinder this year with cold but dry and calm conditions compared to the bitter temperatures and strong winds of last year. For the first time it incorporated chip timing provided by Fullon Sport. There were 653 entrants from all over the UK and Europe with 540 finishing the half marathon and a further 27 completing the Fun Run.

Emma D'Alton of Westbury Harriers beat the ladies record by 3 seconds in a time of 1:21:58.

Bournemouth Athletic Club dominated the men's race with three runners in the first four finishers. The Mens Race and Overall winner was Steve Way of the Bournemouth A.C. in a time of 01:09:27 only 16 seconds outside the course record. His team mate, Jon Sharkey was runner up in a time of 01:13:06.

The Ladies race was won by Emma D'Alton of Westbury Harriers in a record time of 1:21:58. The runner up was Heather Foundling-Hawker of Honiton Running Club in a time of 1:25:26.

The Men's Team Race was won by Bournemouth Athletics Club comprising Steve Way, Jon Sharkey, and Ian Habgood. The Littledown Harriers team of Heather Khoshnevis, Tracy Lander and Hayley Deane won The Ladies Team Race.

The run is a fund raising event by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club and this year the chosen charity is our Charity Trust Fund for local good causes.

The winner of the Men's Race and overall winner was Steve Way of Bournemouth Atheletics Club in 01:09:27. Jon Sharkey also from Bournemouth A.C. came second closely followed by Tristan Cooper of Wells City Harriers

The Ladies race was won by Emma D'Alton of Westbury Harriers in the record time of 1:21:58. She was followed home by Heather Foundling-Hawker from Honiton Running Club and Stephanie Slade from Bournemouth A.C.

Team Races

The Mens Team Race was won by the Bournemouth AC team of Steven Way, Jon Sharkey and Ian Hapgood.

The Ladies Team prize was won by the Littledown Harriers team of Heather Khoshnevis, Tracy Lander and Hayley Deane.

FUN RUN

As well as 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 in the Dorset countryside. 27 runners completed the course and the event was won by Debbie Marsden in a time of 36:11. Second was Jonathan Rowe in 36:56 and he was followed by David Stanfield in 38.55.

Presentations:

The Awards to Individual and team winners were made by Peter Oswick, our club President. In his opening remarks Peter said "This year the event has exceeded all expectations, after the recent bad weather, and for the first time we had to close the entry early." Peter thanked all the runners who took part in this year's event, especially those who had come from distant places. He also thanked the 101 officials and marshals who made the event possible and the villagers of Bishops Caundle for once again allowing us to use their facilities.

Lion President, Peter Oswick is seen here congratulating the overall race winner Steve Way for his near record breaking time of 01:09:27

Lion President, Peter Oswick presenting Emma D'Alton of Westbury Harriers with the trophy for her very fine win in the record time of 1:21:58.

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.

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

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