adidas Silverstone Half Marathon – Sunday 15th March 2009

Race report and results

adidas Silverstone Half Marathon – Sunday 15th March 2009

The adidas Silverstone Half Marathon is the official warm-up race for the Flora London Marathon to be held on Sunday April 26, and with just six weeks to go to this world famous event, the 13.1 miles run around the world famous F1 circuit is the ideal preparation.

Former World Record holder and Flora London Marathon Race Director Dave Bedford, and Jim Clarke, Chairman of the London Marathon dropped the famous chequered flag to start the 6,801 runners across the grid.

Conditions were ideal for the 13 mile race, both for runners and the thousands of spectators who witnessed the event bathed in glorious sunshine, with temperatures at 11 degrees, and an 8mph north westerly wind, and 65% humidity.

Darran Bilton from Leeds City AC led the field through in the first mile in 4.43, with Will Clarke, World & European under 23 triathlon champion from Cambridge AC in second place, and Tom Bedford from Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers in third place.

At mile two, the leading runner Darran Bilton went through in a time of 9.45, firmly establishing himself as the leader of the pack at just nine minutes into the race

The three mile split was 14.52 and at 4 miles 19.58, with Darran Bilton holding a 25 meter lead over Will Clarke, and Tom Bedford 120 metres behind in third place.

Brian Alldis, leading in the wheelchair race, went through the five mile mark in 20 minutes, well on his way to a wheelchair race course record at Silverstone.

At five miles, Darran Bilton racing at just under five minute mile pace, went through in 24.55, but being chased down by Will Clarke who came through five miles in 25.11, but Will was losing ground on the race leader.

At six miles Darran went through in 30.10, and second placed Will Clarke in 30.34, so both men averaging just under 5.15 miles.

At seven miles Darran Bilton was holding a 27 second lead on Will Clarke and the split for seven miles was 35.30.

At eight miles lead Bilton was leading by 32 seconds from Will Clarke, and Darren settled into five minute miling pace, with the eight mile split 40.40, and this time was then close to the course record of 65.23 set in 2005 by Matt Smith of Tipton.

With a 40 second lead at nine miles in 45.55 Bilton looked set to take the finish tape, then passed the ten miles point in 51.11 with an 85 second lead over second placed Tom Bedford, who had caught Will Clarke just before 10 miles.

Crossing the 11 mile marker at 56.24, Darran Bilton was 500m clear of second placed Tom Bedford, with Tom holding an 100m lead from third placed Will Clarke.

Bilton the race leader went through 12 miles in 1.01.33 and took the finish tape in 1:07:23.

Darran said at the finish 'Absolutely fantastic, I wanted to run a half marathon this year before I run a full marathon – bring on London! Last year at the Flora London Marathon I was the tenth British male over the finish, and first man over the age of 40, so I can't wait for this year's Flora London Marathon, thanks for the crowd who were great, I feel amazing even in a borrowed Leeds City club vest, roll on London, today was a fantastic race, fantastic marshalling, overall fantastic support '.

Second place Tom Bedford back-flipped over the finish line, said 'I went off very fast at the start and thought I would suffer, but I managed to recover half way round and make a comeback. To me half way was a real turning point, and overall I was really pleased with my run'.

Third place went to Will Clarke, World and European u23 triathlon champion in 2006, from Cambridge Triathlon club, who finished 14th in Beijing said – 'I went out way too hard, – my advice is …. pace yourself, for me it was a hard race and I have been ill over the past few weeks, however I felt it was a good run despite this, and a tough course but I thoroughly enjoyed it'.

Juliet Doyle first woman home, said 'I wanted to feel good at the end, so I didn't want to take it too fast so I set off at a nice pace and really enjoyed the race, this is only my second marathon, so I am over the moon'.

Charlotte Penfold who was the second woman home said 'I thought it was a wonderful event, the weather was gorgeous and definitely made it for me, it was also a personal best, so I was doubly pleased'.

Third placed woman Samantha Amend said 'I am running the Flora London Marathon in April so it was a great warm up for me, also I ran a personal best, and this is the first time I have run a half marathon this year following the birth of my son who is now 13 months old'.

Wheelchair winner Brian Alldis, smashed the previous wheelchair course record of 61.08 held by Shaho Qadir in 2005 by over 7 minutes finishing in a time of 53:15.

Brian is coached by Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, and fresh from his first Paralympics in Beijing, and fifteenth finisher in the 2008 Flora London Marathon wheelchair race and who will be racing in this years Flora London Marathon Wheelchair event in six weeks time, against a tough field. He said at the finish, a really good race albeit challenging with a few slight head winds, just what I needed in my preparation for London.

Mickey Bushell second placed wheelchair finisher said, I felt the wind was hard at some places on the course, and a definite challenge, but a welcome warm up for London.

Nikki Emmerson was the first women wheelchair home, and this was her first race since her accident in late May.

Wheelchair Race

Mens Race

Women Race

The field included many stars from stage and screen running and many running for the TV Times Leukaemia Research Team, Chris Chittell, Eric Pollard in Emmerdale, Chris Villiers also from Emmerdale, Conor Ryan from Coronation Street, Tony Audenshaw from Emmerdale, Vicky Binns from Coronation Street, Alastair Petrie from Cranford, Chris Simmons from the Bill, Craig Gazey from Coronation Street, Elaine Glover from Holby Blue. Jason Flemying fresh from his appearance in the Hollywood blockbuster Benjanmin Button, actor Mark Lewis-Jones, Matthew MacFadyen who recently appeared in Frost Nixon, Ray Macallan from The Bill and Eastenders, Matthew Wolfenden and Nicola Wheeler from Emmerdale, and Hollywood actor Steve Hartley, to name but a few.

Also making her race debut, actress and model Jo-Emma Larvin, running for the Dogs Trust, also in preparation for London in April.

A bottle of Lucozade and Lewis Hamilton also made it across the finish line, as part of the sponsor mascot London Marathon challenge. The mascots were using Silverstone as a dress rehearsal for London in April, and the challenge consists of a training shoe from adidas, a Lucozade bottle, a bottle of London Pride from Fullers, Holiday Inn's Wee Willy Winkie and an F1 Racing Driver from Renault and a bottle of Vittel.

6736 runners crossed the finish line.