A Half for all ages
AS THE clock crept its way over two hours and nine minutes runners continued down the finish shoot on Crown Pier.
Then suddenly the volume of cheering and clapping went up.
Trevor Jeffries, now 80, had rounded the corner and those watching as one made sure his achievement in the Butterfield Half Marathon was recognised.
He finished 2:09.34, which ranks fourth in Britain in the V80 category this year – a list topped by James Cooper in 1:44.27.
It is proof, as if proof was needed, that running really is for all ages.
And there was more.
From the oldest, to the youngest – although this time they were just along for the ride.
Aivis Kergalvis pushed his two toddlers Rudi and Milly around the course in a 1:37.37, faster than he achieved in 2020.
In all 375 people finished the half this year, setting off in near-perfect running conditions from the shingle bank at L’Eree.
The temperature rose through the morning, while the light wind that had proven so helpful up the West coast proved to be an irritation as the course wound its way through Bulwer Avenue and into town.
At the front end, triathlete Josh Lewis set the pace at Cobo from James Priest and last year’s winner WiIl Bodkin.
For Bodkin it was always likely to be a hard day at the office after three weeks out with a shin injury.
Ulrike Maisch was comfortably in front of the women’s race followed by Mel Nicolle and Vanessa King, the order staying the same to the finish line but the gap growing.
As they went through Cobo Lewis held a five second advantage over Priest, but that had been overturned as they hit the crossroads at Donkey Divers and Priest began pulling away.
Pete Amy, who just 13 months ago could not walk after a major operation to remove a tumor from his spine, was doing exactly what he promised in running hard and trying to hang on.
He came through that spot in fourth, closely followed by Luke Richards.
It looked like Priest had the race, but with around two miles to go he was slowed dramatically by a stitch, allowing Lewis through for the win in 1:11.33.
Priest stopped the clock at 1:12.01 and Bodkin at 1:14.20 for third.
Richards passed Amy to take fourth.
Maisch was through in 1:24.38 as leading woman, with Nicolle clocking 1:30.13 and King 1:32.59.
For a full gallery from the race, visit here.
Full results are downloadable here
And to watch live clips from the day, including the finish line cam, head on over to our Facebook page.
