2015 Reports
Last updated: Monday, 30 March, 2015A Wet, Windy White Horse Half Marathon Won In Style
Event: 33rd White Horse Half Marathon
Time: 09:30am
Date: Sunday, 29 March, 2015
Venue: Old Mill Hall, Grove
The 33rd White Horse Half Marathon was a wet and windy affair. The competitors were fortunate to commence the race in relatively dry conditions, however, this was not to last and as the first competitors crossed the finishing line the rain started to fall on the majority of the field still out on the course!
James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers AC) was the eventual winner, having crossed the line in a time of 01:14:32. He was over 4 minutes ahead of his closest challenger Matthieu Marshall. James had run the White Horse Half Marathon 8 times previously and had been a close second or third on numerous occasions. This year he made sure he would not be beaten and opened up a formidable gap after only 2 miles, being a minute ahead of his rivals. By mile 9 he was 4 minutes ahead and no one would be able to catch him.
Photo: Barry Cornelius (www.oxonraces.com)
In the chasing field of runners the lead swapped several times, with Graham Hope from Kidlington Running Club attempting to stay with James early on, followed closely by Paul Wileman from White Horse Harriers AC. However, in the later stages of the race, Matthieu Marshall (Oxford City AC) and Tony Lock (Witney RR) had overtaken these two to cross the line in second and third places.
In the ladies competition, Jennifer McBain (Alchester RC), who last tasted individual success in the White Horse Half Marathon under her maiden name of Pyper ten years ago, was the winner in a time of 01:23:41 followed by Diane Moore representing Headington RR and Frankie Snare of Witney RR. The host club also enjoyed some category successes with their athletes in the Oxfordshire Championships with Ian Lambourn and (V50 Men – Silver), Jan McCabe (V45 – Bronze), Paul Wileman (SM – Bronze).
In both the Open and Oxfordshire Championship team events, the ladies team of Headington RR repeated their success from last year. Their team this time round consisted of Diane Moore, Judith Kalthoff and Rachel Shaw. In both the men’s team events, Witney RR were crowned the winners with a team represented by Tony Lock, Dan Blake, Will Downey and Chris Colbeck.
The Open event category winners were as follows: Overall Men – James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers AC), Senior Men – Matthieu Marshall, V40 Men – James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers AC), V50 Men – Mark Lewy (Abingdon AC), V60 Men – Bernard Merron (Swindon Harriers), Overall Ladies – Jennifer McBain (Alchester RC), Senior Ladies – Frankie Snare (Witney RR), V35 Ladies – Jennifer McBain (Alchester RC), V45 Ladies – Denise Bridges (Woodstock Harriers AC), and V55 Ladies – Katherine Bates (Woodstock Harriers AC).
The Open category winners largely repeated their successes in the Oxfordshire Championships. However, the following Oxfordshire category winners were the exceptions: V60 Men – Bryan Vaughan (Woodstock Harriers AC), V70 Men – Michael Collins (Kidlington R & AC), Senior Ladies – Hannah Hale (Eynsham RR), and V65 Ladies – Kate Williamson (Eynsham RR).
The leading home club athletes were as follows: Men – Paul Wileman and Ladies – Lucia Singer.
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 Ray Journeaux, a volunteer at the Grove Day Care Centre for the Elderly, the supported charity for this year’s event. John Sear, in his capacity as chairman of the Oxfordshire AA, 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, Barry Cornelius (photography), and, in particular, every one of our very wet and windswept 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, Barry Cornelius, at www.oxonraces.com for the official race day photographs. The photographs are now available to view!
Lee Barrett