14th Blackmore Vale Half Marathon, 5th February 2006
CAROLINE WATTS spent her Sunday morning in the wilds of Dorset to take part in the 14th Blackmore Vale Half Marathon.
The event, which was organised by the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, attracted an entry of just over 500 runners, which money raised going towards Julia's House (Dorset Children's Hospice Service) and other Lions charities.
Runner's World describes the race as being run on quiet, undulating roads near Sherborne, with a hilly finish. It is a heck of a finish, with the uphill finish peering at you from a mile out.
Conditions for the race were very foggy, so it was difficult to enjoy the picturesque Dorset countryside, but Caroline managed to record a time of 2hr 12min 29sec to finish 451st.
Also venturing into the west country was Stubbington team-mate Nick Kimber who finished in 141st in 1hr 37min 16sec. Mark Pittaway, from the Royal Manor of Portland AC, won by just over half a minute from Eastleigh AC's Graeme Rasmussen in a time of 1:16.52.
The fastest female was Dawn Critchell from the Egdon Heath Harriers club who are based around Weymouth and Dorchester, and who placed 34th overall with a time of 1:26.45.