After 35 years of tradition, today (Sunday 24th March) saw the Waters Wilmslow Half Marathon evolve and become a festival of running.
Alongside the ever popular half marathon, the Wilmslow Running Festival saw the introduction of a 10K and a Fun Run with entries over 4,000.
Olympic starter David Brown CBE raised his pistol and the thousands of runners were off in perfect conditions at 10.30am. Both half marathon and 10K runners started together with the split occurring at the 3.5 mile mark. The Fun Run set off soon afterwards with 100 youngsters covering a distance of 1.6 miles which they made to look easy. First home was Harvey Davis, with Ella Davis third and first female.
The leading 10k runners were the next to finish. First home was Gavin Tomlinson of Trafford AC, in a time of 34.24. First lady home in a time of 39.43 and in 11th place was Nicola Whitfield Bird of Ellesmere Port AC.
Race winner of the Waters Wilmslow Half Marathon was Nigel Martin of Sale Harriers in a time of 65.26. Martin had led from the gun winning by 47 seconds from Alistair Watson of Notts AC.
First female home was previous winner and course record holder, Julie Briscoe of Wakefield Harriers in a time of 77.01.
Entries for March 15th 2020, open in the next 24 hours.
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On other occasions my acces to Wilmslow by car is not possible for several hours because of the closure of the Knutsford Road for a half marathon activity on a Sunday morning when I usually do my shopping.