Autumn Half Marathon Back!
The Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon, and its accompanying 5k run, was overjoyed to be back in action on Sunday. After 18 months of Covid restrictions that made this event impossible, we were able to come together for a real race in the Forest for the first time.
Sensible Covid precautions were in evidence, of course, and the beautiful weather and the fresh air made things feel just like they should.
527 runners of all ages took part in the Half Marathon which was both chip-timed and fully marshalled. Tim Hartley of Notts AC finished first in a very respectable time of 1:15:13.6, winning the race outright and also the over-50 male category. The first lady home was Tamsin Bowden of Evesham Vale Running Club in a time of 1:39:06.5, winning also the female over-45 category.
Andy Raynor was the first Forest of Dean man over the line in a time of 1:19:36.2, and 6th overall. Emma Purvis was the first Forest of Dean lady.
The Forest of Dean Athletics Club won the UKA-affiliated male team award, while the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club won the UKA-affiliated female team award.
Special congratulations go to Graham Lynch of Lliswerry Runners for winning the men's over 70 category, and to Kate Potter of 'Running Somewhere Else' for winning the ladies' over 70 category. Full results are on our web site at www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/autumn/
The 5K run, also chip-timed, attracted 56 runners. Marcus Bennetto came in first in a time of 18:18.3.
The Rotary Club hugely appreciates the support of all the volunteers who manned marshal points and water stations, handled radio communications, parked cars, and handed out medals and drinks at the finish. Without them this event would be quite impossible.
The Rotary Club of the Royal Forest of Dean is proud to be able to support the Forest community and the funds raised by the Rotary Forest of Dean Half Marathon events enable it to do so with real purpose.
We can now look forward with confidence to the next event - the Forest of Dean Spring Trails Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday 20th March 2022.