Whittingham powers to half marathon win

The race saw its biggest field with 470 runners and, despite early concerns regarding the weather, it took place in near perfect conditions.

Andrew Whittingham, of Altrincham and District AC won in 75 minutes 23 seconds, ahead of Carl Egdell (Hallamshire AC) in 76.15.

Spen AC’s Kevin Ogden, a regular top-10 finisher over the course, was third in 76.29.

Kim Threadgall (Edinburgh) won the women’s race in 86.12 with Idle’s Donna Edmondson Booker (87.36) second and Wakefield Harriers’ Jenny Latham third in 89.17.

Whittingham’s success helped Altrincham and District win the men’s team prize, while Holmfirth Harriers won the ladies’ team prize.

James Morris led the Dewsbury Road Runners’ contingent home, finishing in 15th place in 1hr 83.28 with Andrew Cottier (84.41) in 19th place and Andrew Meskimmon (85.06) in 21st place.

There was a host of veterans prizes handed out as 467 runners completed the course.

M40: Colin Hill (Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club), M45: David Allinson (unattached), M50: Martin Firth (Queensbury Running Club), M55 Steve Shaughnessy (Stockport Harriers), M60 Roger Tolson (Spen AC).

F35: Melanie Koth (Lytham St Annes RRC), F40: Linda Haley (Steel City Striders), F45 Alison Thornbury (Pocklington Runners), F50 Sue Sunderland (Valley Striders), F55: Cathy Gurne (unattached), F60: Dot Carr (unattached).

Peter Knott, secretary of race organisers Roberttown Road Runners, said: “We couldn’t have asked for better weather for running, especially after the Dewsbury race was cancelled the week before.

“It was a little cold for the marshals standing around but it was perfect for running and the response we have had from e-mails is that everybody who took part thoroughly enjoyed it.”

There were some reports from residents in Clifton regarding mess caused by some runners disposing of their water bottles but Roberttown Road Runners acted swiftly to clean it up and have issued an apology to those who were affected.

Selected local results: 3rd Kevin Ogden (Spen AC) 76.29, 15th James Morris (Dewsbury Road Runners) 83.28, 19th Andrew Cottier (Dewsbury RR) 84.41, 21st Andrew Meskimmon (Dewsbury RR) 85.06, 30th Gerard Skippins (Spen AC) 87.17, 36th Alexis Bradbury (Dewsbury RR) 1.28.19, 51st John Calvert (Dewsbury RR) 90.07, 80th Roger Tolson (Spen AC) 93.49, 92nd Graham Walsh (Spen AC) 94.53, 129th Wayne Speight (Dewsbury RR) 99.32, 136th Samantha Boryslawsky (Spen AC) 100.23, 137th Alex Boryslawsky (Spen AC) 100.25, 169th Flora Skidmore (Dewsbury RR) 103.02, 230th Danny Mortimer (Roberttown Road Runners) 108.17, 249th Edward Wilkinson (Dewsbury RR) 109.52, 250th Gary Rhodes (Dewsbury RR) 109.52, 257th Jacqueline Carter (Spen AC) 111.55, 310th Elizabeth Smith-Calvert (Dewsbury RR) 116.09, 363rd Elizabeth Bottomley (Spen AC) 121.52, 411th Brendan Jones (Dewsbury RR) 131.40.

Dewsbury Road Runners

At the Hebden Short course (16.3 miles), Dewsbury Road Runners’ Glenn Sykes and Martin Kaye finished in 3hrs 52mins while Ian Sutcliffe and Fiona Sutcliffe clocked 4hrs 3 mins.

Sykes and Kaye then completed the Rombalds Stride (23 miles) in 4hrs 49mins 57secs while Ian Sutcliffe and Fiona Sutcliffe took 5hrs 6mins 35secs.

In the Norland Moor Orienteering Event near Halifax, Michael Wood was 24th of 43 on the green course in 58mins 59secs.

Dewsbury Road Runners meet each Tuesdays and Thursdays at Dewsbury Sports Centre at 6.40pm.