A Wilmslow man has won the 2013 Wilmslow Half Marathon on his first attempt.
Joe Macdonald, 27, braved the cold temperatures to win the 13.1 mile race in a time of 64 minutes and 54 seconds on Sunday, 24th March.
Joe, who grew up in the town and went to school at Ashdene Primary School followed by Manchester Grammar School, took part in the Wilmslow Half Marathon for the first time this year, having spent years watching the race.
He told wilmslow.co.uk "I've been watching it for years and one of my goals as an athlete was to come and win it. I have friends who have won their home town race before and said that it is definitely something you have to try and do in your career.
"I have been building up to this race for the past three months or so, training specifically for the distance, and focussing on it a lot more than some other races. I was saying to myself once I broke clear that I didn't think anyone else in the race would want it as much as me, and that kept me going through the horrendous wind on the last four miles. Coming over the line was a mixture of elation and relief!"
Speaking about the conditions he added "The last four miles were horrible. Until then it had been good - a bit windy, but nothing to slow us down too much. We were quick through 10k, then I put in a big surge between 7 and 9 miles - my fastest 2 miles of the race - and then I hit the wind and really struggled.
"Luckily everyone else struggled more than me, as I continued to pull out a gap over those last four. I was talking to Andi Jones at the finish, who I have known for years and who has won here in the past, and he said he reckons we definitely lost half a minute on the last few miles."
Joe, who now lives in Teddington and works as a graphic designer, has been a dedicated athlete for years, running an average of 85 miles a week. Whilst he regularly runs over 13 miles in training, this was his first attempt at a half marathon. Joe's regular race distance varies from between 3000m to 10000m and he is considering taking part in the Great Manchester run in May, which he will try and run in under 29 minutes.
If it fits in with his plans and his coach allows him, Joe would love to come back next year, run a bit quicker and win the Wilmslow Half Marathon again.
Speaking about whether the course record is a possibility, Joe said "The course record is very fast. I would be very happy to run that in my career, let alone at Wilmslow; but I think it may be a little out of scope seeing as only 14 British men have ever gone that fast. I will certainly try to get a bit closer if I come again!"
Joe's father Doug Macdonald, who completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon himself last year, is very proud of his son's achievement.
He said "I didn't run this year as I didn't put in the training, citing old age and the cold weather, and then felt ashamed when a chap called Peter ran past me watching on the course, and announced he was to be 80 years old tomorrow.
"So perhaps I'll turn out next year if Joe decides to defend his title! Not promising, mind..."
Speaking about his son's win, Doug added "I'm very proud. The lad has been devoted to his running for a good 12 or 13 years, and has like all athletes had to cope with injuries and many disappointments, and I think this win is a great reward for all his efforts, and more than that an enormous boost to his self-belief for the future. Winning is a great habit to get into, because other athletes have to acknowledge that you are a competitor. Good luck to him. "
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