2008 Reports
Last updated: Saturday, 12 April, 2008Bristow Secures Home Victory Despite Wintry Conditions
Event: 26th White Horse Half Marathon
Time: 10:00am
Date: Sunday, 6 April, 2008
Venue: Old Mill Hall, Grove
The 26th running of the White Horse Half Marathon sponsored by Nicholas S. Ponting – Door, Window and Conservatory Specialist was not without a little drama to say the least following the unseasonally wintry overnight conditions. Despite concerns about the early morning snowfall that fell over the course and blanketed many of the surrounding areas, the ensuing morning sunshine allowed Owain Bristow to deliver a strong performance to record a popular home victory for the host club, White Horse Harriers AC.
Photo: Paul Jégou
In the chilly and very wet conditions Owain led for the majority of the race to see off his fellow competitors in a closely fought race crossing the finishing line in a time of 1:11:57 to secure his first victory in the race. He now joins an illustrious band of home club winners in the event that includes: Dave Warren (1984), Derek Green (1992, 1994, 1995), Tim Hughes (1991, 1999) and Pete Wilson (1996, 1998, 2001). In second place with a time of 1:14:43 Brian Gardner (V50) of Swindon Harriers finished strongly to see off the challenge of Trevor Hunter (Handy Cross Runners) who crossed the line a further 10 seconds back in third place.
The ladies were lead home by Sophie Dawson of Kidlington R&AC who once again, in defending the title she won last year, produced a fine performance to finish in a time of 1:22:14 (21st place overall) seeing off her nearest rivals in convincing style. Lucy Haywood of Stafford Triathlon Club was the second lady to cross the line in 1:25:55 who finished almost a minute ahead of Cathy Cook (L35) of Cirencester AC.
In the men’s veteran categories Gavin Fisher (Fell Runners Association) won the V40 class finishing in 12th place overall recording a time of 1:20:14. Brian Gardner (Swindon Harriers) saw off his challengers in the V50 class by finishing in 2nd place as mentioned earlier and, in doing so, broke the V50 class record by almost 4 minutes. While Dave Parsons of Oxford City AC improved on the V60 men’s open and county championship course record he set last year by over a minute. In retaining the titles he lifted a year ago David recorded a time of 1:23:51 and saw his club dominate the V60 category with Roy Treadwell and Allan Matthews finishing in 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the class.
In the men’s Open team event the Woodstock Harriers AC team of James Bolton (5th), Brian O’Connor (7th), Bryan Vaughan (11th) and Peter George (13th) saw off the challenge of Cherwell Runners & Joggers and Alchester RC to earn their victory. In the Oxfordshire County Championships Alchester RC claimed the silver medals and Eynsham RR the bronze behind this year’s champions, Woodstock Harriers AC. Woodstock Harriers’ Oxfordshire Chamionships winning team comprised James Bolton (5th), Brian O’Connor (7th), Peter George (13th) and Kevin Game (19th).
Cathy Cook finished well clear of her nearest rivals in the L35 veteran ladies’ category with a time of 1:26:48 as third lady home in 38th place overall. In the L45 class Katherine Bates of Eynsham Road Runners crossed the line clear of her challengers to finish in 133rd place overall in a time of 1:40:38, while her club colleague, Kate Williamson, secured a convincing victory in the L55 class with a time of 1:40:10 finishing in 128th position overall, over 20 minutes ahead of her nearest rivals and breaking her own L55 class record by nearly 3 minutes set in 2003.
In the ladies’ Open and Oxfordshire Championships team events the Headington RR team of Frances Burge (52nd), Sarah Sainsbury (118th) and Adrienne Hopkins (145th) secured the Open and Oxon titles ahead of their nearest rivals Abingdon Amblers AC and Eynsham RR, who finished in second and third place respectively.
The prizes this year were presented to the winners by Lin Westwood representing the local Wantage branch of Helen & Douglas House, the charity that provides hospice care for children and young adults with which the race has been associated and supported for a number years.
Lastly but not least, I’d like to thank all of the volunteers for their efforts in helping to make this year’s race another great success, in particular, the officials, the recorders, St. John Ambulance, and all of the marshals and helpers without whom the event could not take place.
For the full results you can click on the link below:
Finally, for pictures of the race taken on the day go to the official race photo site www.philoconnor.com using the following link:
More photos will be available shortly, so watch this space!
Dene Stringfellow