Worksop Halloween Half Marathon

Chris, MKL, Peter and Rob with their medals

Nineteen members of Grantham Running Club took part in the 36^th edition of the Worksop Halloween Half Marathon on Sunday 29^th October. The race, the majority of which takes place in a Clumber Park especially resplendent with autumn hues, manages to combine a highly competitive race atmosphere, partly thanks to a generous and extensive prize structure, with an infectious party vibe. Runners and volunteers are encouraged to wear Halloween themed costume and one of the highlights of the course is a near mile long stretch preceding a water station littered with humorous signs offering ‘encouragement’ to the weary runner. Were it not for somewhat chaotic scenes at race number collection which delayed the start by ten minutes and lengthy post race queues for baggage collection, the race could rightfully considered to be one of the very best hosted events in the region.

Two races in two days for Caroline and Paul

First home for GRC was Matthew Kingston-Lee. A week on after winning the Thoresby 10 Mile Race, Matthew put in another strong performance to finish fifth overall and second V40, clocking a season’s best 1:16:24. “I was really pleased with how the race unfolded,” commented Matthew after the race. “I was in around twelfth position after the first mile then suffered a side stitch which had me struggling until it thankfully disappeared at around five miles. Feeling much better, I was able to start picking off runners one by one. Given that there is barely a flat section along the course I was really happy with the finishing time.”

1:56:22 for Russell in his first half

Also very pleased with his performance was Chris Limmer, who finished 38^th in 1:22:15. This was despite his right trainer falling apart before the start of the race and having prepared for the event by running from Grantham to Nottingham along the canal six days earlier. Chris is seemingly back to near full fitness following injury earlier in the year and is looking forward to winter training towards an ultra race in 2018.

PB for Kevin

Rob Howbrook was third home for GRC in 1:30:08. Happy to be two minutes quicker than his last half marathon at Peterborough, he appears to be returning the form which sees him lead the club’s inaugural Grand Prix Series with four rounds remaining. New club member Dan Towey was prised off his sickbed to finish in 1:33:23, just ahead of Peter Bonner, who ran another strong race to finish just half a minute off his recent PB in 1:33:47.

Catherine Payne was the first GRC female to finish, clocking 1:36:44 and taking second in the V50-54 category. Catherine has shown remarkable consistency thus far in 2017. This is her slowest of three half marathons, but only 14 seconds slower than her fastest, and arguably the strongest performance given the undulating nature of the course.  

Behind Catherine, Paul Davis was next to finish in 1:39:29. Both he and wife Caroline looked distinctly weary at the finish having raced the day before and extensively over the past month. They are looking forward to a relatively quiet end of the year. Caroline was the first of four GRC runners who embraced the Halloween spirit and raced in fancy dress.  Mark Hillson finished ahead of Kevin Kettle, who bettered his HM PB by two minutes running 1:44:07. A frustrated Tony Johnson was next to finish, hobbled by injury and recent illness. He finished ahead of an elated Russell Maksymiw, who broke two hours on his half marathon debut, finishing in a fine 1:56:22.

Runners were encouraged to wear fancy dress

Another half marathon debutant, Chris Gearren, also broke two hours, finishing in 1:57:24. Of the club’s six other finishers: Nicola Cottam; Nicola Fahy; Margaretta Murray; Julie Gilbert; and Ros Sadler, special praise was lauded to Shelly Dalhaug who completed the race despite suffering a nasty chest infection. She in turn thanked Julie and Ros who all ran together and collectively crossed the line as one in 2:25:50.

The race was won by Harvey Speed of Coventry Godiva Harriers in 1:13:00 with Stephanie Burns of Rotherham Harriers & AC the winning woman in a time of 1:21:46. There were 2485 finishers. The event raises funds for charitable organisations: Guide Dogs; Lincs & Nottingham Air Ambulance; and the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Results

Name	Chip Time	Grading
Matthew Kingston-Lee	01:16:24	82.04%
Chris Limmer	01:22:15	72.00%
Rob Howbrook	01:30:08	80.46%
Dan Towey	01:33:23	63.41%
Peter Bonner	01:33:47	66.30%
Catherine Payne	01:36:44	78.06%
Paul Davis	01:39:29	66.73%
Mark Hillson	01:42:19	63.80%
Kevin Kettle  PB	01:44:07	66.00%
Tony Johnson	01:50:47	60.96%
Russell Maksymiw	01:56:22	53.86%
Chris Gearren	01:57:24	53.39%
Caroline Davis	02:01:00	59.53%
Nicola Cottam	02:08:26	57.36%
Nicola Fahy	02:16:20	52.31%
Magaretta Murray	02:20:23	58.15%
Julie Gilbert	02:25:50	49.94%
Shelly Dalhaug	02:25:50	46.94%
Rosalind Sadler	02:25:50	48.44%