It’s all about Half Marathons & Club Records today

12 March 2017 - By Anita Grainger

WRC was represented across 4 races today; furthest afield Andy Notley took part in Falmouth half marathon which I hear was elevating to some 400m. Andy finished in 1.57.36.

Next, over to Silverstone Half, where Tanya Nash continued her marathon preparation with a shiny new PB of 1.55.24 well done Tanya!

Deciding for a change of venue James Crisp and Scott Darney took on Thaxted Trail Half Marathon which was apparently picturesque. The boys ran together finishing joint 2nd in 1.58.44.

Then over to the main event at Colchester Half marathon and the kick off race of the club championships for 2017.

The course starts at the football stadium with a very slight incline before heading down into Colchester town with a fast decent for the first 2 miles. Some runners can get carried away here and go off way too quick. Next comes North Hill to get your pulse going then it’s a left turn through the town centre and down East Hill before heading up the long drag of Ipswich Road . A lot of runners remember Colchester Half for North Hill ,however, personally I think Ipswich Road is harder with its long drag up for a mile and a half from 4-5.5miles taking more willpower. The course then heads through Severalls and over the A12 out towards Langham to join part of the Langham10k course and then the Essex 20 course for the observant ones. Just before 10 miles the course has a sharp downhill followed by an uphill which a lot of people forget about. Once this is over and done with it’s a flat run all the way back to the stadium along Boxted Road where it’s time to put in a last burst if there is anything left in the tank.

The race had pacers from 1.25 at 5 minute intervals for those that wanted to hang onto someone instead of fellow teammates. The course was well marshalled with closed roads a large portion of the race , well-spaced water stations and a jelly baby station as a pick up.

18 WRC members took part in today’s Colchester Half held in nice spring conditions & no wind conducive to 7 new PBs set. Chris Martin was our first runner home finishing 16^th overall in a new PB of 1.18.55 . Vicky Hunt decided it was time to lower her own club record finishing in a new PB of 1.32.04. Leo Cole continues to perform at a high level also claiming a new club record and came second in the Mens’ V50 category & last but not least Martina successfully completed her first half marathon. Well done all full results below.

Chris Martin	01:18:55	PB
Leo Cole	01:24:00	2nd in age group & new Club Record
Heydon Mizon	01:24:09
Giles Sowerby	01:25:22	PB
Stuart Mills	01:29:16	PB
Vicky Hunt	01:32:04	PB & new Club Record
Simon Scott	01:32:07
Mark Austin	01:32:20	PB
Owen Dare	01:33:31	PB
Paul English	01:38:34	PB
Shawn Beckerleg	01:42:51	PB
Paul Chandler	01:49:29
Tom Ashley	01:49:34
Steve Hennings	01:50:59
Anita Grainger	01:51:10
Anthony Smith	01:53:12
Ross Silverton	02:01:27
Tracey Denby	02:03:44	PB
Geoffrey Reddin	02:08:09
Becky Grimwood	02:08:31
Martina Byrne	02:16:39	First timer
Sasha Rush	02:17:20