adidas Silverstone Half Marathon – Sunday 9th March 2008Race report and results The adidas Silverstone Half Marathon is the official warm-up race for the Flora London Marathon on Sunday April 13, and with just over a month to go, the 13.1 miles around the world famous F1 circuit is ideal preparation. Dave Bedford dropped the famous chequered flag to start the event, conditions were blustery and cold but the threatened rain held off for the duration of the race for the field of over 4900 runners. At one mile the leading group of six runners, detached from the rest of the field, included Tim Hartley (Notts AC) , Kevin Quinn (Aldershot Farnham & District) and Martin Williams (Tipton AC) went through in 5:01. At two miles Liz Yelling was in eighth place overall, and race leader Tim Hartley passed the two mile point in 10.09. At three miles the leaders went through in 15.12 and at four miles Tim Hartley went through in 20:16, closely followed by Robert Coles, Martin Williams (Tipton AC) and Kevin Quinn. Liz Yelling was in ninth place overall approaching this four miles marker at 20:16 with Birhan Dagne following in second place in the women’s field about 1000 metres behind Yelling. At five miles Tim Hartley went through in 25.:28, closely followed by Martin Williams and Robert Coles in 25 :38. Yelling was holding a 150 meter lead over Dagne approaching the six mile point. At six miles Hartley extended his lead with a bit of a kick, crossing this point in 30:39 some 30 metres clear of second and third placed runners Martin Williams and Robert Cole respectively. Hartley continued to hold the lead at seven miles in 35.54 with a 17 second gap, and passed eight miles in 40:08, with a 21 second lead over Martin Williams. At nine miles Hartley went through in 46.16, now with a 32 second lead. Hartley extended his lead at ten miles in 51:33, with 42 seconds clear, and at 11 miles long term race leader Hartley went through in 56:57, with nearly a minutes lead on the rest of the field at twelve miles. Tim Hartley said on taking the tape – “Today was not one of my best races but I felt confident running in the leading group throughout, with an even pace which I tried to keep going, albeit with breezy conditions. I am really pleased with my win, although a bit disappointed with the time. I am not taking part in the marathon and this was my first time at Silverstone”. Gordon Lee fourth finisher said “Today was a good steady race, although the conditions were not great, as a bit windy”. Monetry prizes will be awarded as follows in both the placed men and women – 1st = £1000, 2nd = £750, 3rd = £500, 4th = £300, 5th = £200 and 6th = £100
In the women’s race, Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Liz Yelling took the tape, following her recent fourth English National Cross Country Title, and fresh from her victory in her second-fastest half marathon at Reading (69:34) a time which was only six seconds short of her lifetime best. Yelling who is aiming to peak at next month’s Flora London Marathon, is looking to seal a place at the Beijing Olympics, said before the race today, “I hope to run marathon pace today”. Second place was Birhan Dagne, and both Birhan and Liz finished well clear of the rest of the women’s field with Vicky Webster, who recently finished 37th place at the National Cross Country champs in 26.38, finishing in third place.
Liz Yelling, champion for the second year at this event said “Such a contrast to last year, wonderful sunshine, a great atmosphere and much more pleasant that 2007!, although it felt a bit lonely out there sometimes”! When asked if she felt she could run 2:24 in London she said “I am aiming to run 2:26 at the marathon, so will see how it goes”. Liz intends to run at the World Cross Country Championships at Edinburgh. When asked about Paula Radcliffe withdrawing from the marathon, Liz said “I am sad for her to be out of the marathon, but I will now naturally be aiming for the first British woman home in London, for the selectors to consider me for a place in Beijing. Birhan Dagne said “Today the weather conditions were perfect for the first time at this race, although I suffered blisters at two miles, but I didn’t want to drop out so I carried on, but apart from that I felt I had good race”. A selection of finishers included a two personned camel led by Anthony Shaw finished in 2:30:56, Michelle Frost on stilts battling at a 45 degree angle into the headwinds, was still to finish, Sonic the Hedgehog, Rich Mason – Running for Spinal Injuries Association as their mascot, finished in a time of 2:21:52, and Andy Butler running for Help the Heroes to raise awareness of soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, taking part in army combat gear crossed the finish line in 2:56:36 seconds. 4809 runners had crossed the finish line at 4.00pm |
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