Mohammed minds the gap at Watford
Exciting finish at Hertfordshire's most enduring endurance event
Watford Harriers have been proudly hosting the Watford Half Marathon for over 50 years but surely there can't have been a much better finish than that witnessed at the latest running of this enduring endurance event on Sunday (6 February).
Watford was once the biggest printing centre in the world but it was the sprinting ability of Mohammed Elbayan (Dunstable Lions) that carried him clear – just – to win the 2022 Watford Half Marathon in 1:12:52.
The top three men were covered by four seconds as Matthew Cooper (St Albans Striders, 1:12:53) and Joe Vis (Sale Harriers Manchester, 1:12:56) completed the podium. The race incorporated the Hertfordshire Half Marathon Championships and the gold medal went to the individual runner-up, Matthew Cooper.
Rebecca Bunting (London Heathside, 1:21:23) had a somewhat easier time in winning the women's race from Jen Armson (Queens Park Harriers, 1:23:25) and Annabel Arnold (London Heathside, 1:23:46). The women's county champion was local Watford Jogger, Helen Mussen (1:24:47).
Active Training World supported Watford Harriers with the race management and there were 1,085 finishers in 3:29:02. This is a fast course and Watford Half Marathon has attracted some of the best distance runners over the years, illustrated by the impressive course records: 1:04:50 by Thomas Abyu (Salford Harriers) and 1:13:42 by Liz Yelling (Bedford & County).
The Xempo pacers are always a popular feature and our post-race photo stars (above) Bethan Gillard and Catherine Steward were sporting a perma-grin as they displayed their hard-earned medals after chasing the 2:30:00 flag bearers for most of the race.
Many of the runners who left feedback on social media praised the pacers, like this comment from first-timer Karina Wells: "Had a great day yesterday! My first half marathon and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Thank you to the 2.20 pacers for keeping me going and getting me round the course!"
Results can be studied at runABC South race listing here
Image courtesy Watford Half Marathon on Facebook
