Hundreds compete in Newark Half-marathon

Hundreds of runners took part in Newark Half-marathon this morning which was won by John Hobbs, 40, from Leeds-based Valley Striders AC.

He finished well ahead of the rest of the runners in a time of 1 hr 13 mins.

The weather conditions were much better than last year when it was held in very hot weather. The winner then was Olympic marathon runner Kevin Seward who set a new course record of 1h 4mins.

John led the runners from the start and crossed the line at the end of 13.1 mile course comfortably.

"I was hoping to go faster but I was on my own and it was windy out there," he said.
John said the course was a good one and he had enjoyed taking part.

"Some of the city centre ones can be a bit boring but this is nice as it gets you out into the countryside," he said.

Second was Duncan Coombs, 31, from Aberdeen who was among five members of Cambridge and Coleridge AC taking part. They used the event as a training run for the Berlin Marathon.

"It's the first time I'd done Newark but it was a good course," he said.

Third was Christopher Gidlow, 39, from City of Stoke Athletic Club where he now lives after moving from Southwell.

He said there had been a headwind at the start of the race but then conditions had improved and he managed to complete the course in a personal best time.

The youngest runner was Edward Buck, 17, a member of Newark AC. He ran the course for the first time last year accompanied by his dad Nigel on his bike for experience as he was too young to take part.

"I feel tired but it was fun," he said.

The first lady home was Julie Warner, 51, an unattached runner from Derby who finished in 1hr 24mins.

She said she had been surprised to be the first woman back.

"I actually prefer marathons," she said. "I'm better over a long distance."

The first Newark Strider was Jan Bailey, 43, from Newark. He said used it as a training run in preparation for the Great North Run in five weeks time.

"It's a great scenic course and there was lots of support on the way round," he said.

Richard Hallam, 53, of Newark was the first Notfast runner home in a time of 1hr 29, beating his time from last year by two minutes.

"I am really pleased," he said. "I was hoping to finish under 1hr 40mins and just felt good the whole way."

Andrew Thorne, 37, was the first Southwell Running Club member to finish. He said it was a good, comfortable course.

"The weather really helped," he said. "The conditions were perfect."

Advertiser sales executive Paul Zemontas, who wore his number 819 on his front and the race number of Advertiser sports reporter Warwick Lane, on his back was greeted with cheers when he crossed the finish.

Paul asked if he could wear both numbers as Warwick is in Nottingham City Hospital after being diagnosed with a recurrence of the leukaemia he fought last year.

"I knew how much running the Newark Half-marathon meant to him, " he said. "I'm over the moon that I finished seven minutes faster than last year."

The race director Jeremy Reichelt said the event was getting better every year.

"This is a race organised by runners for runners," he said.

He said it could not have been done with the many volunteers who help with the event.

"A big thank you to them all," he said.