New Forest Half Marathon
HE’S got New York in his sights, and after the disappointment of missing out on the London Marathon earlier this year, Jon Leigh is running extremely well going into the big event in the Big Apple this autumn.
Jon was in the form of his life ahead of London last April before picking up a nasty injury just weeks before the capital caper.
Now looking to improve on a marathon personal best of 3hrs 29mins when he goes to New York in November, the 46-year-old showed he is running fast and consistently following an excellent 1hr 31min 56secs in the New Forest Half Marathon.
Considering the hot conditions out on the course, Jon’s time was excellent run to give him 91st overall from a field of 1,732 runners.
The New Forest Marathon Association staged a new course for the half marathoners with less traffic and more scenery – the race starting half an hour before the main marathon.
Jon led the Stubbington team to sixth in the team event behind winners Littledown Harriers.
Next to finish and just a minute behind was another New York-bound runner, Nick Kimber, with 104th overall in 1:32.58, and close by was Tim Crumpton in 114th with 1:33.55.
Andrew Briggs posted a very respectable eight minute a mile half marathon time of 1:45.18 for 399th, while Paul Winter crossed the finish line in 2:06.08 and 1,128th place.