Yeovil Half Marathon 2013: Records tumble on a cold day

RECORDS tumbled today in the 2013 Yeovil Half Marathon as runners braved the cold temperatures to tackle the 13.1-mile course.

First home was Ben Tickner, of Wells City Harriers, in a record-breaking time of 1:08:29 – beating the previous record set last year by Shaun Antell, of Bristol and West AC, by just over two minutes.

Second behind Tickner was Jim Cole, of Tavistock Athletic Club, in 1:10:50, while third was Phil Burden, of Taunton-based Running Forever, in a time of 1:11:24.

There was a strong contingent in the race by the Yeovil Town Road Running Club and their first member home was Bryn Phillips in tenth spot in a time of 1:19:41.

PHOTOS: Runners set off (above) from Huish Park at the start of the 2013 Yeovil Half Marathon, while race winner Ben Tickner (centre) is flanked by runner-up Jim Cole (left) and third-placed Phil Burden. 

The record for fastest lady finisher was also smashed today when Holly Rush, of Team Bath AC, raced home in 1:20:57 in 16th spot overall. The previous best women’s time was set last year by Nikki Linfield in a time of 1:26:25.

First lady finisher from the Yeovil Town RRC was Natalie Redman in 1:33:26 in a time of 79th overall; just ahead of team-mate Rose Harvey who finished 85th in 1:34:18.

Race organisers Total Buzz Events were delighted with the success of the third running of the half marathon in Yeovil and thanked everyone for their support – including officials of Yeovil Town Football Club who allowed the event to be staged at the Glovers’ Huish Park stadium once again.

Steve Elliott, of Total Buzz Events, said: ‘’Although it has been a cold and crisp morning, it did thankfully stay dry and it has been a fantastic day.

‘’When we saw the list of entrants we were expecting the course records to be broken – so congratulations to those runners.’’

Steve added: ‘’I would like to thank everyone for coming – those who took part in the half marathon and everyone who turned out in freezing temperatures to support the runners.

‘’But I would especially like to thank all the marshals who were standing out on the course and getting very cold – they’ve done a marvelous job.’’

PHOTO: Ladies race winner Holly Rush.

Just over 800 runners completed the course with many of them raising money for a variety of charities and some in fancy dress costumes.

PHOTO GALLERIES AND FULL RESULTS WILL APPEAR ON YEOVIL PRESS LATER TODAY.

Key results: Men overall: 1 Ben Tickner (Wells City Hariers) 1:08:29; 2 Jim Cole (Tavistock Athletic Club) 1:10:50; 3 Phil Burden (Running Forever) 1:11:24; 4 Michael Robinson (Tamar Trotters) 1:15:21; 5 Simon Munro (Bournemouth AC) 1:15:44.

Women overall (overall positions in brackets): 1 (16) Holly Rush (Team Bath AC) 1:20:57; 2 (50) Nina Wagstaff (Unattached) 1:29:59; 3 (65) Elaine Priest (Crewkerne Running Club) 1:31:21; 4 (71) Renee McGregor (Team Bath AC) 1:31:57; 5 (77) Nikki Linfield (Unattached) 1:33:08.

Age categories: 35-39 female – Holly Rush (Team Bath AC) 1:20:57; 35-39 men – Phil Burden (Running Forever) 1:11:23.

40-44 female – Nikki Linfield (Unattached) 1:33:08; 40-44 men – Mike Pearce (Crewkerne Running Club) 1:16:14.

45-49 female – Fiona Phelps (Tamar Trotters) 1:39:20; 45-49 men – Paul Rose (Yeovil Town Road Running Club) 1:26:57.

50-55 female – Tracey Mills (Unattached) 1:47:02; 50-55 – Paul Adams (Team AVS) 1:26:27.

55-59 female – Lesley Martin (Unattached) 1:55:18; 55-59 men – Richard Boulter (Yeovil Town Road Running Club) 1:30:33.

60-64 female – Lesley Nesbitt (Yeovil Town Road Running Club) 1:47:37; 60-64 men – Nick Brooke (Yeovil Town Road Running Club) 1:28:58.

65-over – Jim Brumfield (Egdon Heath Harriers) 1:40:53.

PHOTO: Members of Yeovil Town Road Running Club ahead of today's Yeovil Half Marathon.

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