Stroud Half Marathon
On Sunday the 23rd October 2011 the 30th Stroud Half Marathon sponsored by Griffiths Marshall was run.
From an entry list of 2170 runners some 1700 runners of all ages and abilities took to the streets of Stroud for the 30th running of the Stroud half marathon put on and organised by Stroud & District Athletic Club.
After a busy day setting up on Saturday and completing final preparations early Sunday morning everything was ready for the first runners who started arriving from 8.00 am.
The first event of the day was to let the walkers from Williams Syndrome and Higgy’s Heroes get on their way at 9.00 am. In the following hour the field at Marling School filled with runners and their families along to support them.
With 10 minutes to go the runners were gathered at the start and after a few essential pre race preliminaries were set on their way by long standing and new life member of the athletic club Peter Brook.
The first mile was reached in under 5 minutes with 7 runners easing to the front led by Edwin Kiptoo.
By two miles the lead group had reduced to 5 still with Edwin at the front.
A searing pace continued through to mile 6 reached in a time of 28.22 well inside 5 minute mile pace. By this stage Edwin Kiptoo and Andrew Lesuuda of Kenya broke away from the next 2 runners and were vying with each other for the lead.
After the turn for home at the top of Whitminster Hill the runners faced a strong headwind which slowed progress for all.
From Whitminster the route took the runners through Nupend and out onto the A419 back towards Stroud. In the loop of the industrial estate at Oldends Lane the runners were played on their way by the Samba Band.
The two race leaders ran neck and neck and reached Cainscross Roundabout and the finishing straight together. Cainscross Road was full of supporters cheering the runners home and in the sprint to the line Andrew just edged out Edwin winning the race in a great time of 1 hour 3 mins 56 seconds with Edwin just 8 seconds behind.
Other overseas athletes were third and fourth followed by local runners David Roper of Cheltenham & County Harriers and Ander Russell of Stroud & District in times of 1.09.42 and 1.09.56 respectively.
The ladies race was won by Edith Chelimo of Kenya in a time of 1.14.54 followed home by Edinah Kwambai just over 3 minutes further back.
Other notable performances by local athletes included Rob Gornall of Stroud Athletic Club being the first V45 in a time of 1.17.54 and 13th overall in the race. Martin Ford of Cheltenham first V70 in a splendid time of 1.25.37.
Kate Goodhead who lives in Stroud and runs for Bristol & West Athletic Club was third overall in the race in an impressive 1.18.49. First Stroud Athletic Club lady was Gwen Kinsey who was 9th overall and also won her age category in a time of 1.25.06. Also Jane Wassell of the home club won her age category in a time of 1.27.05.
There was keen competition in the mens and ladies team competitions. Eventually Cheltenham won the mens race with David Roper, Andrew Kaighan, Dave Rantell and Elliott Prince beating Cirencester.
Westbury Harriers consisting of Sophie Voller, Debbie Marsden and Vicky Tester won the ladies team prize beating Stroud by a combined time of less than 10 minutes. The Stroud team consisted of Gwen Kinsey, Jane Wassell and Chrissie Griffiths. In total 60 runners from the host club completed the race (see separate list of results).
Prizes were presented by Bill Chandler a member of the Athletic Club who was instrumental in the setting up of the 1st half marathon and has been involved ever since.
Whilst the main race was going on the very successful silver mile was staged (see separate report).
The club would like to thank all those organisations and volunteers who make the race possible each year and without whose support the race would not continue to be the success it has become (see separate report of Thank you)
Congratulations to all those involved in another successful event.
