Newsdesk

Fleet Half Marathon start 2022

Top atmosphere as 1,447 hot foot to Fleet

"Such a well organised event and a brilliant day", says Tom Barton

It's 40 years since the Fleet Half Marathon burst on the southern running scene as an instant success on 4th April 1982, with 1,995 finishers and fast winning times by Derek Stevens (1:05:32) and Paula Fudge (1:12:31).

On Sunday (20th March) Fleet fought back from a two-year absence with 1,447 finishers and the same top race atmosphere that has been ingrained since its inception four decades ago. 

Competitor Tom Barton, who finished 112th (1:24:56) summed up his day on Facebook: "Thank you to Penny,  the team, and all the volunteers for getting this amazing race back on! It was fantastic to be running around Fleet again with such great support along the route and perfect weather too! Such a well-organised event and a brilliant day!"

Three men went under 70 minutes at the front of the colourful trail of athletes that left the Calthorpe Park Race Village for the start on Reading Road. Kurt Taylor (Bristol & West, 1:06:49) was wearing bib number one (see photo above) and appropriately finished in that position.

Taylor was followed across the finish line by Stephen Blake (Aldershot, 1:07:23) and Neil Kevan (Bracknell, 1:07:36). Ryan Jones, of the RAF, maintained the long tradition of service personnel participating at a high level with fourth in 1:10:19.

The top four women all beat 80 minutes. Army athlete Jenna McGrevey (Richmond & Zetland, 1:18:55) took the winner's spoils from W45 Annabel Granger (Bristol & West, 1:19:12), Megan Davis (Newquay, 1:19:23) and Rebecca Gallop (Newark, 1:19:38). 

The 1,477th runner finished in 2:58:14 to beat the official three-hour cut-off time and well over 1,000 were ahead of the two-hour pacers. 

The 2022 race was dedicated to the memory of Fleet & Crookham AC club member and 100 Marathon Club runner Lisa Hale. 

Race results and previous reports at runABC South race listing here

Photo by Nicke for Fleet Half Marathon on Facebook

Start Fundraising On GoFundMe

GoFundMe

Previous & Next News

top