Harriers’ Improve Half Marathon
Ranking at Wilmslow (March 2008)

NINE MEMBERS of Rochdale Harriers travelled to Wilmslow last Sunday to compete in the ever popular half marathon.

Andy O’Sullivan MBE provided commentary for the three and a half thousand runners once again, being chauffeured to the event by Rochdale ladies captain Kirstin Johnson.  The early start was a struggle, particularly as the clocks had gone back an hour only the night before.

The very cold start encouraged many runners to wrap up warm.  This was a move many later regretted as the temperatures rose to one of the warmest days of the year so far.  Many finishing times were down on last year, partly due to the medium strength winds in the early stages of the race.

A clash with the World Cross Country Championships meant some of the elite runners who usually compete in this event were not in attendance.  This helped Gareth Raven of Sale Harriers to clean up with a winning time of 1:06:29, two minutes ahead of his nearest rival.  The ladies race was won by veteran Michelle Ross in an incredible 1 hour 12 min 50 sec.

The Rochdale men’s team finished 15^th overall, a significant improvement on both 2006 (18^th) and 2007 (>20^th).  First counter was Andrew Mc Dougal, finishing not quite as quickly as he hoped but still with a personal best time of 1 hour 23 min 40 sec.  Next was in form Kevin Fox, clocking 1:27:33, making him 10^th in the male veteran 50 category.  The third and fourth counters were David Bentley and Paul Leary.

Over to the ladies, and Anna Blomfield posted an excellent 1 hr 34 min 30 sec, taking 7^th place in her age category.  Kirstin Johnson, sporting hair ribbons in Rochdale’s distinctive yellow, red and black colours, was pleased to clock 1:49:04 in her run up to the London Marathon.

The results for members of Rochdale Harriers were as follows:

Andrew McDougall, 1:23:40 (90^th); Kevin Fox 1:27:33 (10^th V50); David Bentley, 1:28:26; Paul Leary, 1:30:33;  Mark Walker, 1:32:53; Anna Blomfield 1:34:30 (7^th LV45);  John Mayall, 1:35:29 (pb); Kirstin Johnson, 1:49:04; Stephen Wild, 1:52:53. 3449 finishers.