Fleet Half Marathon refreshed for 2020
There will be a fresh look to the 39th Homebase Fleet Half Marathon on Sunday 15 March 2020, with a new primary race partner and an incorporated international Masters match.
Fleet 'Pre-London' Half Marathon has been held continuously since 1982, apart from 2018 when the 'Beast from the East' forced a postponement and the first failure to deliver on its pre-London promise. This coveted sub-title was personally approved by London Marathon founder Chris Brasher and Fleet Half Marathon is an original member of British Association of Road Races.
The race is organised entirely by around 300 volunteers from Fleet & Crookham AC, all runners themselves and highly proficient in managing such events. Changes for 2020 include the welcome support of Homebase. The announcement came earlier this month with this statement: "Homebase is proud to be the sponsor of the Fleet Half Marathon, supporting grass roots athletics and running in the local communities of our Hampshire stores."
New race partners include RacedCoaching (providing bespoke event training plans); Shower-in-a-Can (antibacterial, personal no water cleaner) and Fordies (handcrafted gourmet brownies).
All the features that have made Fleet Half Marathon an unmissable event remain, including the gently undulating and traffic-free course, with high PB potential. There are teams of pacers for every 10-minute split from 1:30 to 2:20; ChampionChip Timing; over 150 cheering marshals; photography by RandR Photos; Junior Mini Mile for 8-16 year olds and great local support.
The race will also host an England Masters -v- Celtic Masters Match. This hotly contested annual challenge is for athletes in five year age bands from 35 to over-75 and always produces some amazing performances from the older runners.
This year's overall winners of Fleet Half Marathon were James Bellward (RAF, 1:07:34) and Lesley Locks (Hart Road Runners, 1:18:27).
Entries close on 15 February and have been pegged at £25; it is £10 to enter the Junior Mini Mile. Nearly half the 3,500 places are already sold so act now if you want to be part of this historic event. Full race and entry details are at Fleet Half Marathon website here
Images courtesy Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon