Halstead runners excel at marathon

9:06am Friday 18th April 2008

Mark Armitage was the pick of the bunch, as Halstead Road Runners members excelled at the Flora London Marathon.

Armitage clocked an impressive time of two hours 53 minutes and 42 seconds to ensure he was the first Halstead runner home.

Bob Langley was 71st in the Male 50 category with a time of 3h 05m 09s.

Terry Rivers and Andrew Wilmot finished 73rd and 76th respectively in the Male 60 category.

Rob Thacker and Mike Grealy were delighted to record marathon personal bests (PBs) by significant margins, in the changeable conditions.

Matt Biggin beat his previous London time by nine minutes, stopping the clock at 3h 30m 47s.

Seventeen Halstead Road Runners took part.

Results: Mark Armitage, M40, 2:53:42; Bob Langley, M50, 3:05:09; Gavin Allen, M30, 3:16:22; Nigel Stinchcombe, M40, 3:22:36; Phil Davies, M45, 3:25:00; Rob Thacker, M35, 3:30:32; Matthew Biggin, M35, 3:30:47; Wayne Kern, M40, 3:31:57; Michael Grealy, M50, 3:35:39; Terry Rivers, M60, 3:36:34; Andrew Wilmot, M60, 3:37:47; Keith Thorogood, M50, 4:00:19; Jeremy Gore, M45, 4:07:45; Maurice Young, M70, 5:09:41; Michael Purkiss, M55, 5:40:05; Sheila Purkiss, W55, 5:40:05; Brian Hastings, M60, 5:41:02.

Anyone inspired by this year's London Marathon might be interested in the 14th Halstead and Essex Marathon.

The event is organised by Halstead Road Runners and held on May 11.

This race was voted as a top-ten race by Runner's World last year.

Visit www.halsteadandessexmarathon.co.uk for more details.

l Bob Parmenter completed the Essex Walker Challenge at an off-road trail marathon near Maldon in 5h 16m.

For senior membership enquiries contact club captain Wayne Kern 07801 722794.

For juniors (eight to 15 year olds) contact Peri Collins 01787 223150.

Visit www.halsteadroadrunners.net for more club news on Halstead RR.

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