adidas Silverstone Half Marathon – Sunday 14th March 2010Race report and results Liz Yelling, in her first major event since becoming a mum to daughter Ruby, and aptly on Mothering Sunday, headed up a field of 5750 runners at Silverstone, the home of British motor racing at the adidas Silverstone Half Marathon. This event is the official warm-up race for next month's Virgin London Marathon, to be held on Sunday April 25. With just six weeks to go to this event in London, the 13.1 miles is run around the world famous F1 circuit, and is felt by many to be ideal preparation for London. Former World Record holder and Virgin London Marathon Race Director Dave Bedford, and John Spurling OBE, Chairman of the London Marathon, dropped the famous chequered flag. Conditions were ideal for the 13 mile race, both for runners and the many spectators who witnessed bouts of glorious sunshine between some clouds, with temperatures at 7 degrees, and an 24 mph north westerly wind, and 76 % humidity. Brian Alldis succeeded in reclaiming his champion's crown in the wheelchair event. Brian led the wheelchair field all the way and is coached by Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson. Brian who will be racing in this years Virgin London Marathon Wheelchair event in six weeks time, against a tough field, said of his win today, 'I had a really good race, albeit challenging with a few slight head winds, and just what I needed in my preparation for London. A fantastic day, fantastic course, really challenging, thanks to the race organizers and supporters'. Mark Telford who finished second behind Brian said 'I had a good race considering some of the sections of the course, and I didn't get a puncture this year. Its weird how your mind blows up, but your body does not'. Simon Lawson who finished third in the wheelchair event said 'The wind was strong, especially on the finishing straight which made it hard, but I really enjoyed the challenge'. First wheelchair woman home Nikki Emerson said ' really enjoyed the race and it was great to come back after last year. Also this is a really good test for London and glad to finish the course after being out through injury for so long'. Anne Wafula-Strike, second woman wheelchair home, said 'found the race challenging but a good indicator of where I am in my training'. Anne is one of the world's top wheelchair sprinters, and was also fundraising today for AbleChildAfrica. Toby Lambert, finishing first said 'overall a very enjoyable run, this is the first time I have ever run here at Silverstone, and I am very pleased to have run on the British Grand Prix track. It was tough today and at times very exposed'. Second man home Darran Bilton said 'today was very blustery but I still thoroughly enjoyed the run. There was great support around the course today. I ran a bit slower than last year having won it in 2009 – but I have left a bit in the barrel for the 25th April !' Darren Preston who came home third said 'It was very windy today, but overall a great race. The marshalling was fantastic and the crowds were so supportive. As usual a great event, and I cannot wait for London !' Liz Yelling on finishing first in the women's field said 'I felt really strong today, and had a great run, and a better run than three weeks ago. I can feel my fitness coming back, and I have upped the mileage and looking forward to the London Marathon in April 2011, although tempted to take part this April, as her fitness is coming back post pregnancy, Liz said she will be patient and improve her strength'. Jared Bethell who finished second said 'A windy day today, but I still had a great day. This is my third race in eight days, last Sunday I competed in a 20 mile race. I am very pleased though as I think I have run a pb for a half marathon, although slightly slower than I was hoping for, but still very pleased.' The field included many stars from stage and screen running and many running for the TV Times Leukaemia & Lymphona Research, Chris Villiers also from Emmerdale, Tony Audenshaw from Emmerdale, Abby Francis from Calendar Girls, Elaine Glover form Footballers Wives , James Michie from The Bill, Jason Merrells from Cutting It, now Emmerdale, and Nicola Wheeler from Emmerdale, to name but a few. Actress and model Jo-Emma Larvin, running for Breakthrough Breast Cancer finished in 2:08:35, who is also in preparation for London in April. Darren Turner, racing driver finished in 1:51:06 and Iwan Thomas, current UK 400m record holder finished in a personal best of 1:39:04 and now looking forward to London in April. TV actress from Holby City, Phoebe Thomas finished in a highly respectable seventh place in the overall women's results with a great time of 1:28:33. A team of American Civil war re-enactors, who are part of the Southern Skirmish Association marched the course in full American Civil War uniforms, led by a rifle and drummer to promote historical education and raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund. The team finished in three and half hours. A team of 32 runners linked together, were in training for the Virgin London Marathon where they will be going for a Guinness World Record in April for the most runners joined together to finish a marathon. The 'Caterpillar' finished in two hours and 14 minutes and will be fundraising for many different charities. 5700 runners finished the 2010 adidas Silverstone Half Marathon. Wheelchair Men
Wheelchair Women
Mens Race
Women Race
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Home
- Online entry
- Run for charity
- Training
- Nutrition
- Sponsors
- More Running
- Get Interactive
- Contact / advertise
- Terms of use
Find out how you can go about raising funds for a good cause.
