2015 Roding Valley Half Marathon
In lovely, spring-like conditions with a gentle breeze, 609 runners completed the club's annual Roding Valley Half Marathon on Sunday. As usual, organiser David Hollingworth persuaded around 80 volunteers to help out and ensure that the athletes had the best possible conditions for their race. Many local clubs, in particular East London Runners, Sikhs in the City and Orion Harriers, were well-represented.
After one small and two large loops, the first athlete back home was James Connor of Kent AC, who has a marathon PB of 2 hours 18 minutes, set in 2011, and a half-marathon best of 66:17. With his lovely, smooth stride, he seemed untroubled in winning the race by a minute in 72:19.
The first lady home was Chelmsford AC's Megan Evans, who finished very strongly and knocked around a minute off her half-marathon PB as she clocked 1:25.08.
The second man home was Mário Ferreira (1:13.18), a Portuguese athlete. Race sponsor Haslers, a local chartered accountants company, put up an annual prize for the first corporate team, and a quartet representing GPS technology company Garmin popped across from Portugal to take that prize and enjoy a little of what London has to offer. Mário's teammates were Luis Santos, Tiago Andrade and Leonel Viegas.
East London Runners' Euan Brown was third man home in 1:13.37. In the women's race, Louise Brass of Thurrock Harriers (1:28.54) and Kate Mills of Springfield (1:32.24) were 2nd and 3rd.
Our own first man home was Donatas Tumaitis, who has had an extremely good cross country season, to the extent that he is challenging for the club's Ken Bray Trophy for winter consistency. Donatas ran 1:15.27. Our only female representative was W45 Jenny Thomas, who was 13th in the women's race in 1:42.02, her best time for several years. Jenny is currently leading the Brenda Bray Trophy for winter consistency. Today's race does not count towards that.
A notable finisher was Gareth Dyball who, for many years, has competed at the top level as a high-jumper, and has been an important part of our track and field teams. Now in training for the London Marathon, Gareth clocked 1:56.28 on his half-marathon debut.
At the finish line, masseurs from Spire Roding Hospital were on hand to offer a rub-down to weary limbs, a service which many took advantage of.
Feedback from the athletes so far has been very positive, as it usually is. Many compliment the smooth organisation and are grateful for the support provided by marshalls around the course.