RUNNING: On the streets with Yeovil Half Marathon 2016

HUNDREDS of runners have been pounding the town centre streets and countryside lanes of South Somerset this morning (Sunday, March 20, 2016) for the annual Yeovil Half Marathon.

It was a different set-up this year with the start and finish being in the town centre rather than out at Yeovil Town Football Club’s Huish Park stadium.

First home at the finish line at the Quedam Shopping Centre was Ryan Holroyd, of City of Stoke Athletics Club, in a time of 1:10:43, beating runner-up Gavin Keight, of Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield, by three minutes. Third was Christopher Aldridge, of Plymouth Harriers, in a time of 1:15:48.

The leading lady was Francesca Snare, of Witney Running Club, in a time of 1:27:21.

But there were many more runners who were keen just to complete the course as a challenge, while others were looking to set “personal best” times.

Many runners were out running in aid of charity having gained sponsorship in advance of the run.

The great thing about these events is that it brings people of all ages and from all backgrounds together and they share a common goal – to complete the course. We had the serious runners, to those in fancy dress and those pushing prams and even a local vicar, Rev David Keen!

Congratulations to all those who picked up medals for finishing high up in the age categories, and congratulations to all the organisers and helpers.

But the BIGGEST CONGRATULATIONS goes to every single runner who completed this year’s Yeovil Half Marathon.

Results 2016: Overall Male: 1 Ryan Holroyd, City of Stoke AC, 1:10:43; 2 Gavin Keight, Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield, 1:13:19; 3 Christopher Aldridge, Plymouth Harriers, 1:15:48; 4 Ben Pitman, Lordshill Road Runners, 1:16:23; 5 Ben Neale, Bere Alston Trekkers, 1:16:56.

Overall Female: 1 Francesca Snare, Witney Running Club, 1:27:21; 2 Mary Gaston 1:29:52; 3 Helen Southcott, Maiden Newton Runners, 1:30:37; 4 Lindsay Mundy 1:31:14; 5 Hannah Laver 1:32:10.

Men 35-39: 1 Mark Tyrrell, Oxford City AC, 1:19:03; 2 Lewis Bacon, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:24:14; 3 Julian Goodship, Serpentine Running Club, 1:29:05; 4 Adam Cox, UK Net Runners, 1:29:51; 5 Mark Southern, Wessex Wizards Triathlon Club, 1:30:00.

Female Senior: 1 Francesca Snare, Witney Running Club, 1:27:21; 2 Mary Gaston 1:29:52; 3 Hannah Laver 1:32:10; 4 Esme Moffett, Honiton RC, 1:32:22; 5 Becky Pitcher, Sheffield Running Club, 1:33:31.

Male Senior: 1 Ryan Holyroyd, City of Stoke AC, 1:10:43; 2 Gavin Keight, Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield, 1:13:19; 3 Ben Pitman, Lordshill Road Runners, 1:16:23; 4 Ben Neale, Bere Alston Trekkers, 1:16:56; 5 Anthony Hatswell, McCarkiss Endurance Project, 1:17:27.

Female 35-39: 1 Helen Southcott, Maiden Newton Runners, 1:30:37; 2 Lindsay Mundy 1:31:14; 3 Nina Wagstaff, Chard Road Runners, 1:34:49; 4 Sarah Trim, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:34:49; 5 Nephie Dickinson 1:37:48.

Male 40-44: 1 Christopher Aldridge, Plymouth Harriers, 1:15:48; 2 Steven March 1:20:24; 3 Paul Giles, PG Security Systems, 1:21:07; 4 Dan Blewitt, Somer AC, 1:23:26; 5 David Thorne, Mornington Chasers, 1:24:25.

Female 40-44: 1 Elly Joyce 1:41:11; 2 Isobel Taylor 1:41:36; 3 Jackie Casey, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:41:48; 4 Joanna Henley, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:44:02; 5 Sadie Bowditch 1:44:50.

Male 45-49: 1 Nick Sale, Crewkerne Running Club, 1:24:44; 2 Steve Willis 1:24:00; 3 Garry Flack 1:24:38; 4 Chris Burton 1:25:21; 5 Gary Woolnough 1:26:04.

Female 45-49: 1 Matilda Woodard, Royal Navy Triathlon, 1:34:03; 2 Sally Betts 1:42:24; 3 Chrissy Smith 1:45:01; 4 Sue Thompson, Egdon Heath Harriers, 1:45:50; 5 Sarah Junor, Wessex Wizards Triathlon Club, 1:46:34.

Male 50-54: 1 Paul Rose, Maiden Newton Runners, 1:22:22; 2 Steve Cunningham 1:23:16; 3 Fez Parker, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:28:44; 4 Mark Wilsher, Royston Runners, 1:29:00; 5 Andrew Hall, The Tri Life, 1:29:08.

Female 55-59: 1 Lesley Martin 1:53:09; 2 Eleanor Taylor, Teignbridge Trotters, 1:56:18; 3 Tina Caunter, Teignbridge Trotters, 1:57:27; 4 Karen Croad, Egdon Heath Harriers, 1:57:43; 5 Jennie Sleeman, Honiton RC, 1:58:35.

Male 55-59: 1 Adrian Cornford, Crewkerne Running Club, 1:28:32; 2 Kevin Arthur Stenner, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:32:48; 3 Paul Costello 1:34:01; 4 Fred Fox, Maiden Newton Runners, 1:36:01; 5 David Carnell, Maiden Newton Runners, 1:41:05.

Female 60-64: Angela Kerr, Axe Valley Runners, 1:56:50.

Male 60-64: 1 Nick Brooke, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:30:55; 2 Leslie Lock, South West Vets, 1:33:24; 3 James Beech, Crewkerne Running Club, 1:41:05; 4 Andrew Bentley 1:51:26; 5 Chris Elsworth 1:54:04.

Female 65+: 1 Lesley Nesbitt, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:51:46; 2 Sue Fox, Maiden Newton Runners, 1:59:11.

Male 65+: 1 Geoff Newton, Tadworth AC, 1:35:52; 2 Malcolm Maxted, Yeovil Town RRC, 1:46:40; 3 Phil Taylor 1:52:14; 4 Brian Clark, Langport Runners, 1:55:09; 5 Tony Bailey, Axe Valley Runners, 2:01:00.

More photos will be added later.

PHOTOS: Taken during today's Yeovil Half Marathon - March 20, 2016.

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