Record entry brave the hills and heat to compete in the "rat race"
A record number of runners braved the hills and the heat on Sunday to compete in the Eyam Half Marathon - one of the road racing calendar's toughest events.
The ‘stamina-sapping event attracted a 545-strong field, well up on last year’s record line-up of 409. The ‘rat race’ starts and finishes in the historic 'plague' village and takes competitors on a grueling course involving over 1,200 ft of ascent.
Over the line first in an excellent time of 1:18:59 was Mike Nolan of the Dark Peak Fell Runners. He was just over a minute ahead of the second-placed athlete Dav Connor of Ripley RC (1:19:12) and Andrew Meskimmon of Dewsbury Road Runners came home third in a time of 1:20:07.
Picking up the ladies trophy was Alison Sedman of Belle Vue Racers who completed the course in a superb time of 1:31:19 . She was just 21 seconds ahead of unattached runner Linden Wilde with Ceri Diss of Hern Hill Harriers coming home third in 1:33.49.
Entries were received from club and non-affiliated runners as far south as Surrey and Hampshire and as far north as Edinburgh and Ayreshire. The race even attracted two entrants from Madrid !
Those taking up this true test of stamina ranged in age from 17 to 69 years and all needed the 3,000 bottles of mineral water supplied by Vittel who supported the event for the second year running.
So did the record numbers who took part in the 1.3mile fun run who all received certificates signed by by the most successful wheelchair athlete in history, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.
The event is organized by Eyam Half Marathon Committee, which raises funds for local organizations and cancer charities. Over the last 12 years it has donated more than £60,000 and secretary Tony Parsons said: “This has been by far the most successful race we have ever held.
“We actually received well over 600 entries and 545 runners turned up on the day from all over the country. The conditions were just about perfect and we again received a lot of comments full of praise for the way the event was organized.
“It is a credit and a tribute to the dedication and hard work of those who work voluntarily all year round to make Eyam Half Marathon the growing success story it is.”
Picture caption:
Mike Nolan of the Dark Peak Fell Runners crosses the line first in the Eyam Half Marathon.