Beverley AC’s athletes were in action at two big local races last weekend. Sunday saw the inaugural Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon attracting an international field to York, and the well established Bridlington Half Marathon remained highly popular among runners in East Yorkshire and beyond.
Ten Beverley runners completed the Yorkshire Marathon, a new race which sold out within three days of its launch. The race was staged by Marathon Yorkshire Ltd, which is a sister company to Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, organiser of the Hull 10k.
First home for Beverley was Ian Boardley, who was 63rd overall in an impressive 3:01:30. The first female runner for the club was Julie Donald, who crossed the line in 3:49:56.
Many runners used the event to raise money for charity. These included Chris Dunn, who completed the race in 5:07:34. ‘It was tough and I got cramp in both my legs at 19 miles so it was a long painful drag to the finish’, commented Dunn, adding ‘I’m proud to have completed another marathon and raised more money for Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of my Dad, Brian Dunn’. For some club runners this was also their first marathon: Rob Singh achieved a great time of 3:30:50 as the third Beverley athlete to cross the line.
The men’s race was won by Edwin Korir in 2:13:31, and the women’s race by Helen Koskei in 2:40:10. Both are Kenyan. There was a total of 3881 finishers.
At Bridlington, Beverley’s fourteen athletes performed very strongly on what was a windy day at the coast. The club’s women came first in the team prize on the basis of some excellent individual times. The winning team consisted of Laura Egan, who finished in 1:34:49, and 5th place in her age group, Samantha Allen, who crossed the line in 1:42:15, and Tanwen Gray, completing the course in 1:50:12. Allen said ‘I was really pleased with my result. It was my first half marathon for over a year and a great personal achievement to be part of the ladies winning team. It was a lovely sunny warm day, although very windy on the run back into Bridlington. It’s not an easy run but there was lots of support from the crowds along the promenade to the finish.’ Pam Atkins won the first female over 65 prize and the Yorkshire Vets first female over 65 prize.
For the men, first for Beverley was Darren Edge, who ran a very good race to finish 46th overall and 6th in his age group, in 1:28:06. Other runners achieved personal bests for this distance at Bridlington. Matt Ingman was very pleased to finish second for Beverley in 1:31:06. ‘Barring the wind for the return journey the conditions were pretty good. Excellent marshals on the day made for a really enjoyable run’, said Ingman
The men’s race was won by Marius Ionescu (Altrincham and District AC) in 1:09:59, and the winner of the women’s race was Helen Cross (Pocklington Runners) in 1:23:08. There were 639 finishers.
Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon. Beverley AC times: Ian Boardley, 3:01:30; Adrian Messingham, 3.25.31; Robert Singh 3:30:51; Stephen Dale, 3.31,20; Peter Watkinson, 3:36:00; Jody Horth 3:44:04; Julie Donald 3:49:56; Chris Dunn 5:07:34; John Boardley 5:24:02; Mary Harrington 5:23:51.
Bridlington Half Marathon. Beverley AC times: Darren Edge, 1:28:06; Matthew Ingman, 1:31:06; Laura Egan, 1:34:49; Andrew Johnson, 1:37:17; Samantha Allen 1:42:15; Paul Evans 1:44:29; Jim Harbidge 1:47:59; Tanwen Gray 1:50:12; Andrew Grainger 1:54:10; Jane Peck 1:55:06; Amanda Ritchie1:57:13; Steven Hadley 2:08:26; Pam Atkins 2:17:52; Frank Harrison 2:30:52.
Reported by Lewis Holloway
