Better known as the Stur Half, the Sturminster Newton Half Marathon has been promoted by the Dorset Doddlers since 1990. This year's 42nd edition – no race being held in 1994, 2020, or 2021 – drew 320 competitors to the rural Dorset idyll on the River Stour, at the heart of the Blackmore Vale.

The race began as The Sturminster Newton Carnival Half Marathon, with the start and finish on the recreation ground. The historic Stur Half records are 1:06:41 by Dave Clarke (Hercules Wimbledon) in 1993 and 1:18:59 by Alison Outram, of Thames Hare & Hounds, in 2005. The current course records were set by Willard Chinhanau (Poole Runners, 1:08:41) in 2008 and Rebecca Moore (Chichester Runners, 1:15:56) in 2016.

The Stur Half race was honoured to open a new road – Old Market Hill – to the public in 2006, with the 275 runners being the first to use the road! The undulating course starts at Station Road, outside the Railway Gardens, running through Manston, Margaret Marsh, Stour Row and Toddler, returning via Moorside and Hinton St. Mary, along the beautiful avenue of trees, before crossing the finish line at the High School.

Conditions were mild but overcast, so it was not as warm as anticipated. There were 319 finishers in 3:33:41 as Thomas Corbin, of Poole Runners, led the way in 1:12:24. He was joined on the rostrum by Lester James (Team Bath, 1:13:25) and Christopher Peck (M40 Egdon Heath Harriers, 1:15:28).

W35 Vikki Ingham (Poole Runners, 1:22:45) enjoyed an almost four-minute margin of victory in the women's race. The runners-up were Molly Rasch (Poole Runners, 1:26:26) and W45 Julie Wargent (Egdon Heath Harriers, 1:32:32).

The Dorset Doddlers Running Club claims to have been: "running around in circles since 1983". The club was originally formed by a small group of runners who had just completed their first London Marathon and now has over 100 members. As well as the Stur Half, the club organises the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, Marnhull 12K, Tarrant Valley 10, and the Gold Hill 10K.

For more information visit the Dorset Doddlers Stur Half page here.

Link to race results available via runABC South race listing here.

Photo of Stur Half medals courtesy Stur Half on Facebook