2013 Reports
Last updated: Monday, 8 April, 2013Fernandez & Walsha Ease To Victory
Event: 31st White Horse Half Marathon
Time: 10:00am
Date: Sunday, 7 April, 2013
Venue: Old Mill Hall, Grove
After interminable months of poor and bitterly cold weather the 31st running of the White Horse Half Marathon, incorporating the Oxfordshire County Half Marathon Championships and also constituting one of the event in the 2013 Oxfordshire Grand Prix calendar, took place as scheduled yesterday amidst bright sunshine and warm temperatures in Grove, Oxfordshire. This window in the weather (– it appears more poor weather is forecast) encouraged a sizeable of crowd spectators making the most of the welcome turn in the weather to gather at the finish and cheer the runners home.
Photos: Richard Jégou
It was clear from the start the pre-race favourite, Paul Fernandez (Abingdon Amblers AC), was not going hand over the title he regained last year without a fight. He was in the lead group of four runners including the other eventual podium finishers James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers) and Orlando Corea (Bournville Harriers) that broke away in the early stages of the race before reaching the railway bridge just short of the 2–mile mark.
By the 2–mile mark the leading pair of Paul Fernandez and James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers) had opened a gap of some 50 metres over the 3rd and 4th placed runners at that stage. It was already clear that Paul was beginning to exert pressure on James and by the time the leaders headed north out of Denchworth Paul had built a small lead that would continue to grow as the race unfolded. As they pressed on both the lead runners also were extending their advantage over the next placed runners.
In the meantime the leading women had already established their positions among the leading athletes at the head of the field and likewise the gap between the leading protagonists and the rest of the field was evident already in the early stages.
By the time the leaders had reached the turn south towards Charney Bassett Paul Fernandez was in control of the race and having extended his lead. Paul was clearly showing no ill effects from his 50k outing in Perth, Scotland the previous weekend. However, from this point onwards the runners were headed into a strong headwind that would take its toll on all the runners. Paul eventually secured the victory to retain his titles crossing the line in a time of 01:11:22, almost a minute ahead of second placed James Bolton with Orlando Corea over two minutes further adrift.
The ladies were led home by Kay Walsha (unattached), leading a clean sweep of the podium places by veteran L35 category women. Having won the Goring 10k at the beginning of March, Kay made it a double of Oxfordshire event successes crossing the line in 28th place overall securing victory in a time of 01:23:22. Kay finished almost four minutes ahead of Angela Carpenter (Chichester Runners & AC), the second placed female athlete, with Samantha Usher (Alchester RC) securing third place on the podium over a minute further back.
After recent months dogged by injury Paul Jégou successfully retained the Kit Trophy for the leading male White Horse Harrier by finishing in 19th place overall completing the course in a time of 1:21:43. Paul managed to see off the spirited early challenge of Dan Peace to secure his victory. Hayley Chaundy led the White Horse Harriers AC ladies home ahead of Lucia Singer, the holder, to claim the Coachman Trophy for the leading female White Horse Harrier for the first time crossing the finish line in a time of 1:38:13 to secure 118th position overall.
The performance of the day was recorded by Patricia Keene (Burnham Joggers) was set a new course record in the V55 Women category, despite the less than ideal conditions, crossing the finish line in a time of 01:36:00. Patricia finished over 18 minutes clear of her nearest rival in setting the new record.
The men’s team events were again dominated by the Oxfordshire clubs with the Woodstock Harriers AC team of James Bolton (2nd), Kevin Game (9th), David Cantwell (12th) and Brian O’Connor (17th) retaining both the Open and County team titles for the sixth successive year! The margin of victory in both the Open and the County Championship team events was equally impressive, a 60 points advantage over their closest rivals. The team of Headington Road Runners took second place in both events with a points tally of 100 points with Witney Road Runners just 10 points adrift completing the podium in both the Open and Oxfordshire County events to claim third place in both events.
This year Headington Road Runners dominated the ladies team title chase in both the Open and Oxfordshire Championship events, which were likewise dominated by the Oxfordshire clubs. The Headington Road Runners team of Eirini Flouri (75th), Adrienne Hopkins (88th) and Judith Kalthoff (91st) held off their closest challengers and teammates Headington Road Runners ‘B’ to win both titles by a comfortable margin of 142 points. The home club enjoyed some additional success with the White Horse Harriers AC ‘A’ team securing third place in both the Open and Oxfordshire County Championship events just 35 points further adrift.
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 Tim Pocock for representing The 14 Club, the supported charity for this year’s event. In his capacity as chairman of the Oxfordshire AA, John Sear, presented the individual and team awards to the successful athletes in the County Half Marathon Championships.
As ever, 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., HS Sports, 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.
For the full results you can click on the link below:
Finally, don’t forget to check the website of the official race photographer at www.philoconnor.com for the official race day photographs. They will be available to view online very shortly, so watch this space!
Dene Stringfellow