Liversedge Half Marathon has a reputation as not being for the faint hearted due to the hilly nature of the course that winds its way around West Yorkshire. A shock to the system for anyone not used to the elevation or only trains on the flat.

Rain, hail and strong winds upped the ante even further for 450 runners who braved the conditions at the 25th anniversary of this well-organised event from Roberttown Road Runners. The race started at 11am from Liversedge Community Centre and the field included a good mix of club runners and unaffiliated ready to take on the undulations.

Up and down they went on a mixture of roads and country lanes around Liversedge that began with a downhill section before the climbing commenced. There were a few fast descents to turn over the legs.

Joe Sagar of Spenborough & District AC was strong from the outset mastering the conditions to be first across the line in 1:10:52. Adam Peers of Wakefield Harriers was second in 1:13:17 and Mark Holden of Dewsbury Road Runners third in 1:18:54.

Margaret Beever of Stainland Lions RC won the women’s race in 1:27:09 followed by Amy Young of Hyde Park Harriers in 1:29:08. Helen Roby of Longwood Harriers came third in 1:32:03.

There were 450 finishers, many of whom were glad to receive a long sleeved technical T-shirt after running through those conditions.

Image courtesy of Dave Woodhead – Yorkshire Runner Photos