Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon - 2nd April 2006
OH we do like to be beside the seaside - and so it proved for John Flynn who headed down the coast to Dorset for the Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon.
John joined a field of 822 runners for the staging of this popular event, which ran alongside a 10km race. It was a true race of two halves, starting from Bournemouth Pier with a nice outward league, but a tough homeward return from Southbourne with a strong headwind blowing back to the finish. The race offered some spectacular views along Hengistbury Head, plus a couple of steep climbs at Durley and Alum Chine.
John still came through with a good time clocking 1hr 27min 7sec for 37th place for 14th in the Vet 40 age category.
Caroline Watts continued her London Marathon preparations with a solid run alongside husband Graham. They crossed the finish line together in 2:11.23 for 717th place.
Robin Copestick from Bournemouth AC won the race in 1:15.03, with Jennifer Rhys from Cheltenham Harriers the leading woman in 1:32.42, which gave her 68th overall.
Stubbington had no runners in the 10km race which was won by Paul Adams from St Albans Striders in 35:00, and the top female finisher was Alison McCartney from Thanet Road Runners who recorded a time of 41:00 for 11th overall in the 603-strong field.
Photo courtesy of British Heart Foundation.