The Chester half marathon
Over 6,000 runners took to the streets of Chester yesterday, to take part in the 32nd Nike Running Challenge Chester Half Marathon.
Leading the runners to the finish was Kenyan born Mohammad Aburezeq, who now lives in Manchester, completing the 13.1 mile course in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 7 seconds. He was very closely followed by friend and training partner, Tarus Elly, of Salford, who finished just two seconds behind Aburezeq in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 9 seconds.
Aburezeq commented: “I’ve never run the race here in Chester before but it was a really good, fast course, with only a few small hills along the way to challenge me. I train with Tarus (Elly) every day, so we worked together today to win the race. We’ve both really enjoyed it and hope to be back again next year”.
Victory in the women’s race belonged to 27 year old Amanda Crooke, from Southport Waterloo. Amanda crossed the finish line in a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 32 seconds, shaving over 12 minutes off her previous personal best and achieving a new race record for the fastest female finisher, which hasn’t been broken since 1985.
She said: “I’m so thrilled that I achieved a new PB today in Chester. I have a seven month old baby, and tried to maintain my running throughout my pregnancy, but I didn’t expect to do so well today, I’m absolutely overjoyed. The weather was ideal, the course is beautiful and the support from the crowds was exceptional, all of which had a huge impact on my performance. This is only my second ever half marathon distance, and I hope to be back next year to get an even faster time”.
Thousands of other participants pounded the city’s streets for their own reasons today, be it a fundraising challenge, a fitness challenge, or a chance to achieve a personal best. One of those people was 30 year old Laura Johnson, who lives and works in Chester and ran the race with her mum, Julie Cole.
Laura commented: “This is the first time I’ve taken part in the Nike Running Challenge Chester Half Marathon, and it definitely won’t be the last. There was a real sense of community spirit right around the route, with residents coming out en masse in tucked away pockets to line the streets to cheer us on and support us as we passed. That, combined with the scenery around the course made for a really enjoyable run. The event is fantastic for Chester, as not only does it bring the community together, but it also brings lots of other people into our beautiful city”.
The day also saw 500 children and families take part in the family fun run around Chester Racecourse, which started right next to the main race at the same time, to provide entrants with the same atmosphere. The first finisher across the line was Francis Carter, aged 12, from Chester, who decided to run because his mum was taking part in the half marathon.
Co-organiser, Chris Hulse from Active Leisure Events commented: “Today’s event was a great success. All the hard work and planning was rewarded when we had the opportunity to personally congratulate runners as they crossed the finish line with beaming smiles on their faces – that’s the reason we do it and it really makes it all worthwhile.
“We’d like to thank all the event team, volunteers and sponsors for working so tirelessly, as they do every year to make the event a success. The event wouldn’t be the same without the thousands of participants who have pushed themselves to the limit and raised a lot of money for charity, along with the spectators around the route who create such a buzzing atmosphere. They make the event what it is and we thank them for their continued support.”
Early bird entries for the 2014 Nike Running Challenge Chester Half Marathon will open today at midday. They will be priced at £24 for UKA affiliated runners, and £26 for non-affiliated runners. Early bird entries will close at the end of May and general entries will open later in the year.
For more information, and to enter at the early bird price, go to www.chesterhalfmarathon.co.uk.
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