Humph's Hilly Half Marathon Race Report
Saturday 28th June 2008 at 6pm
The Humph's Hilly Half, named after one of Bourton Roadrunners' longest serving members, Steve Humphries, who tragically died last October and who designed the course, had a record number of entries this year. The race was named as a tribute to him and finishers' shirts were designed to show his outline. Steve's mum and sister bravely started the race off and presented the prizes at the end and were touched by the warmth of affection shown by the runners.
As part of the Gloucestershire AAA Road Race Series, quite a few Bourton Roadrunners need those vital points, taking part in the Club's own Half Marathon, 'The Humph's Hilly Half'. The course is as it says ... 'hilly' and therefore not conducive to fast times. But those taking part, still managed some pretty impressive results.
A pre-race favourite, Gary Payne, Vet 50, from George Elliott Striders had a tough job surrounded by Bourton's top men, Alistair Lockey, Dennis Walmsley and Mike Smith, who put up a fierce battle, but he held his nerve and led throughout to win in a time of 1:15:46. These three also took the first men's team prize with 9 points in total.
Vet/40 Alistair Lockey was next in 1:16:19, followed by Dennis Walmsley in 1:16:31, who received the 1st V/40 prize. Mike Smith finished 4th in 1:16:59, followed by Phil Cook in 1:18:35 of Les Croupier and Andy Gore 1:19:35 of Cheltenham & Co. Harriers.
Steph Lane, the 17 year old Bourton Roadrunner, was the Ladies clear winner, well over 4 minutes ahead of the next lady in 1:27:10. 2nd place lady was Liz Stavreski of Thames Hare and Hounds in 1:31:43 and 3rd Dawn Clark of Spa Striders in 1:35:27.
As stated before, Dennis Walmsley took 1st V/40. Second was Michael Tune of Swindon Harriers in 1:22:38, with 3rd and 4th Jeremy Mower 1:26:20 and Ian Summers 1:26:47, both of Gloucester AC. Clem Clement of Penarth & Dinas Runners was 1st V/45 in 1:24:43, followed by 2nd Vet/45 Bourton's Steve Edwards (marathon man) in 1:27:06. 1st V/50 was Steve Colbourne of Sphinx AC in 1:26:43, with 2nd Tim Randell of Rugby and Northampton 1:33:25. Ken Sears of Almost Athletes took the V/55 prize in 1:38:40.
The Over 60 quality was outstanding with first V/60 going to Jonathon Bateman in 1:30:10 of the Road Runners Club and first V/65 Graham Patton of Sphinx AC 1:30:58. Mike Ward of Tewkesbury was 1st V/70 in 1:56:21.
Continuing the Ladies, 1st LV35 was Maria Zubizarreta, of Les Croupier in 1:35:59, 2nd Claire McBride, unattached in 1:41:48 and 3rd Jo Remington of Hinkley Runners in 1:43:59. Alison Bagnell of Stratford AC was 1st LV/40 in 1:35:54, with Bourton's Sarah Clemo 2nd in 1:50:05.
Mandy Jones of Islwyn RC was first V/45 in 1:45:37, followed by Karen Galpin of Almost Athletes in 1:47:29.
Alison Lane of Bourton was 1st V/50 and Brenda Avery, 1st V/55 of Chepstow Harriers, finished in 1:51:20.
The Ladies' Team was also won by Bourton Roadrunners, comprising of Steph Lane, Ali Lane and Sarah Clemo. Other Bourton ladies included Shirley Creed 1:51:36, Lynn Hudson 1:51:56, Gill Carrick 1:57:39 and Gill Wilkie 2:34:43.
Highlights
Record race entry
Gary Payne, a regular visitor to Bourton's races, won the men's race in style (1:15:46).
17 year old Steph Lane, from Bourton, won the Ladies (1:27:10).
Bourton men and ladies secure the team prizes.
We have strictly applied the County Rules concerning disqualification of runners that ignore the requests not to wear ipods and other personal music devices. This is for everyones safety. Disqualified runners appear at the end of the results.
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