2014 Reports

Last updated: Tuesday, 8 April, 2014

Bruce & Crombie–Hicks See Off The Opposition

Event: 32nd White Horse Half Marathon
Time: 09:30am
Date: Sunday, 6 April, 2014
Venue: Old Mill Hall, Grove

After overnight heavy rain and an early morning downpour the 32nd White Horse Half Marathon, incorporating the Oxfordshire County Half Marathon Championships and as well as constituting one of the events in the 2014 Oxfordshire Grand Prix calendar, took place in cool, damp and overcast conditions at Grove in Oxfordshire. After all the rain and flooding experienced earlier in the year, this was a blessing for the organisers.

David Bruce (Highgate Harriers) leads the way through Charney Bassett in the 2014 White Horse Half Marathon.
Photo: Richard Jégou

From the outset a strong leading group of men headed the main field and by Denchworth railway bridge a group of five athletes had made a significant break. This group included the eventual winner as well as local athlete Jonny Cornish (Wimbledon Windmilers ’ formerly White Horse Harriers AC). Last year’s winner, Paul Fernandez (Abingdon AC) was slightly adrift in the early stages, but fought his way back into contention to eventually claim third place ahead of fellow veteran athlete James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers AC).

However, as the race unfolded the younger men started to stamp their authority on the race. By the time the leading athletes the 8–mile point in Charney Bassett, David Bruce (Highgate Harriers) and Daniel Hamilton (Abingdon AC) were starting to stretch ahead and began to build a lead that would see them through to the finish. By the finish David Bruce had managed to gain an 11 second advantage over Daniel Hamilton, his closest rival, recording a time of 01:10:57. Similarly, Paul Fernandez had established exactly the same margin over his nearest rival James Bolton, when he crossed the line to take third place.

The host club also enjoyed some category successes with their athletes Ian Lambourn (V50 Men – 1st) and Stuart Ansell (V40 Men – 3rd) in both the Open and Oxfordshire events. Unfortunately the ladies team were unable to match their performance of last year.

In the meantime the ladies competition was dominated by ladies in the veteran L35 class. The ladies were led home by Shona Crombie–Hicks (Bourton Road Runners) who saw off the challenge of of her nearest rival by a clear margin of over one minute, securing victory in a time of 01:24:53. Rachel Masser (Woodstock Harriers AC), claimed the second spot on the podium, with a slightly more comfortable margin over the third–placed athlete Sarah Wheeler (Stratford–upon–Avon AC). By crossing the line in second place Rachel Masser gained a small measure of compensation by earning the Ladies Oxfordshire County Championship title.

By crossing the finish line in a time of 01:15:06 and achieving 7th place overall, Jonny Cornish (Hercules Wimbledon AC and second claim White Horse Harriers AC) claimed the Kit Trophy for the leading male White Horse Harrier – some consolation for a fine performance. Lucia Singer led the White Horse Harriers AC ladies home in a time of 01:41:45 to secure 179th position overall. In doing so, Lucia regained the Coachman Trophy for the leading female White Horse Harrier.

The men’s team events were again dominated by the Oxfordshire clubs with the Woodstock Harriers AC team of James Bolton (4th), Brian O’Connor (18th), David Cantwell (20th) and Kevin Game (30th) extending their continued success in taking both the Open and County team titles for the seventh successive year! In fact the team members for Woodstock Harriers AC were exactly the same as last year, albeit the athletes finished in a different order. The margin of victory was again reasonably comfortable with all the counting members of the Woodstock Harriers AC team finishing within the top thirty places. the Open and the County Championship team events was equally impressive, a 60 points advantage over their closest rivals. Completing the podium in both the Open and Oxfordshire County events Abingdon AC clinched second place ahead of last year’s silver medallists Headington Road Runners with just 12 points separating the teams.

Likewise the ladies team events were dominated by the Oxfordshire clubs. This year the Headington Road Runners ladies earned a hard–fought victory in both the Open and Oxfordshire Championship events, to retain their titles. The Headington Road Runners team, consisting of Jessica Leitch (78th), Judith Kalthoff (116th) and Rebecca Campbell (131st), was the successful trio this year. The margin of victory was slender, however, with a mere 8 points separating the teams. Eynsham Road Runners ladies claimed third place in both the Open and Oxfordshire County events to complete the podium line–up.

Following the race the awards presentations took place in Old Mill Hall, Grove with the Open category prizes being presented to the winners this year by John Wilcox for representing Air Ambulance Berks | Oxon | Bucks, the supported charity for this year’s event. In his capacity as chairman of the Oxfordshire AA, John Sear, once again presented the individual and team awards to the successful athletes in the County Half Marathon Championships.

As always, we are indebted to all the contributors and volunteers who have once again helped to make this year’s race another great success. The race organisers would like to thank the race officials, recorders, sports masseurs, St, John Ambulance, TMS Retford Ltd., Shoot4Goal, Phil O’Connor Photography, and, in particular, every one of our marshals and helpers without whom this event simply could not take place. In addition, we would like to thank our sponsors Fit2Run once again for their invaluable support. Thanks also go to the Grove and Charney Bassett Parish Councils, the Vale of White Horse District Council, Mably Way Health Centre, Old Mill Hall and Millbrook School for their co–operation, support and use of facilities.

Click the links below to view the full results:

Finally, don’t forget to check the website of the official race photographer at www.philoconnor.com for the official race day photographs. The photographs are now available to view!

Dene Stringfellow