Gosport Half
THE Gosport Half Marathon was given a new look this year as 1,233 runners competed in this long-standing event.
Because of major issues with road traffic, Gosport Road Runners were forced to change the route of this year’s 13 miler which was based at Bay House School.
Instead of the two-lapper around Stokes Bay, Haslar and Alverstoke, the race headed west out towards HMS Daedalus, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent; much of the route tracing the old Stubbington 10km run.
It did mean for a tight start and a meandering course for the race, which formed part of the Hampshire Road Race League.
Stubbington’s men will have scored well thanks to high placings from Mark Le Gassick and Zippy Grice. Mark was fourth in 1hr 10min 28sec - just under two minutes behind race winner James Baker (Chichester & District AC) who crossed the finish line in 1:08.47.
Zippy, running his first HRRL event of the season, was 11th in 1:13.52, just nine seconds ahead of the first lady, Susie Bush (Aldershot, Farnham & District) who was 13th overall in 1:14.03.
Mike Harper was third home for Stubbington in 76th place with 1:22.26, followed by a welcome return to Green colours for Ian Smith whose 1:26.49 earned him 142nd place. Chris Munro completed the men’s scoring in 217th place with a very impressive 1:31.00 - clearly all the speed training while studying in Manchester has paid off for Chris.
Susie MacGregor was the first Stubbette to finish. She clocked 1:34.00 for 274th overall, with Gemma Jones recording a fast time of 1:43.14 for 490th, and then Gill Rose along with Georgie Wallis ran together to cross the finish line in 575th and 576th places with a time of 1:46.21.
For Gill, she was delighted with her run having taken three minutes off her half marathon personal best set in Reading. “Thank you so much to all our fellow Stubbies who turned out at the Gosport Half to cheer us on at various points around the course,” said Gill afterwards.
“They were the best support team and their cheers and shouts of encouragement really helped me to reach my goal and take three minutes off my previous PB.
“They inspired me to hold my head up, smile, wave and pick up my pace when I was flagging.
“I know others were much encouraged too and it really shows what a fantastic difference that kind of support from fellow club members makes.
“The marshals were also really great, giving a much-needed boost to all of us Stubbies who passed them, so my thanks go to them too.”
Others:
345th: Keith Carter 1:36.59
359th: Keith Whittaker 1:37.36
432nd: Zac Conaty 1:40.52
455th: Rob English 1:41.44
457th: Aaron Kingston 1:41.48
516th: Richard Snell 1:44.02
519th: Drew Briggs 1:44.09
551st: Eric Beck 1:45.13
560th: Del Granger 1:45.44
595th: Mags Smith 1:47.12
631st: Aitken Hunter 1:48.57
695th: Gordon Westley 1:51.22
712th: Christine Merry 1:52.01
883rd: Jane Adlard 1:59.24
956th: Jasmine Smith 2:03.16
1049th: Karen Dean 2:08.42
1055th: Liz Hall 2:08.55
1084th: Sandie McIntosh 2:10.42
1089th: Rowena Dodds 2:10.57
1090th: Claire Martinelli 2:10.59
1093rd: Sarah White 2:11.06
1129th: Tracie Jarvis 2:14.34
1152nd: Julie Ashman 2:19.41
1156th: Robert Spencer 2:20.53
1178th: Charlotte Byng 2:25.08