Both winners of the Run Bournemouth Half Marathon were in the Dorset resort for social reasons but took on the 13.1-mile challenge with hugely successful results on Sunday 8 October. 

Bournemouth's a bit like that. It's a place to come to socialise, to celebrate a special occasion, and if you're a runner take part in one of the best coastal road running festivals around!

Ollie Garrod (Belgrave Harriers, 1:10:01) – pictured above, centre – was on a stag weekend with friends and Olivia Tsim (Pontypridd Roadents AC, 1:19:25) was visiting her sister-in-law to celebrate her birthday.

Run Bournemouth Half Marathon is the anchor event of the entire weekend and Garrod set off at a considerable lick, with only eventual runner-up Jaymee Domoney (City of Salisbury AC, 1:11:18) for company. 

The elastic snapped around eight miles on a hill and Garrod took the victory by 67 seconds – blowing kisses to the crowd as he finished – as the world 40-mile record holder prepares for the IAU 50K World Ultramarathon Championships next month. Phil Martin (Peterborough and Nene Valley AC, 1:12:18) was third.

The women's winner had a more comfortable path to the finish, raising her arms as she reached the tape more than three minutes clear of pre-race favourite Sophie Delderfield (Vale of Aylesbury AC, 1:22:54). Taunton AC athlete Danielle Bailey was third in 1:24:31.

Earlier on Sunday morning the Supersonic 10K was won by Jon Pepin (Southampton AC, 32:50) – whose finish line flourish was a smart salute – and Emily Hilliar (Poole AC, 36:49) who settled for the traditional arms aloft pose!

Run Bournemouth events had kicked off the previous day with a series of races for the youngsters, including the Kids Kilo and Junior 1.5K, 2K, and 5K races – the latter event being won by Bournemouth AC's promising pair Oliver Canavan (17:14) and Isabel Cherrett (18:59).

As darkness fell on Saturday evening it was time for the fluorescent gear and glow sticks to appear in the Supernova 5K won by Luke Dunham (Herts Phoenix AC, 16:07) and Erin Wells (Poole AC, 18:07).

For video clips of the leading finishers visit Run Bournemouth on Facebook here.

For all the results and previous reports visit runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy Run Bournemouth on Facebook