ATHLETICS
Chester Half Marathon
LOCAL athlete and member of Teesdale Athletics Club Claire Hesketh competed in the Essar Chester Half Marathon on September 19.
In perfect conditions for racing the course started at the horse racing course, weaving through the city centre before heading out into the picturesque towns and villages, later finishing in front of the beautiful sandstone Town Hall.
The race was a qualifying event for the British Masters competition in 2022 and after finishing in a time of one hour 50 minutes Claire was well inside the qualifying standard of 1.54 and finished as required in the top three of her age group female vet 60.
Subsequently Claire has received notification from England Athletics that she has been selected to represent England in the British Masters Half Marathon championships in 2022.
Keswick Half Marathon
KESWICK Half Marathon is advertised as the most scenic run route in England and it would be hard to beat.
After registration at the rugby club, and watching the rain coming down, runners made the 20 minute walk to Portinscale where the race began and the rain stopped. The route was broadly round Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley. Climbing up the Stair, wondering when this hill will end then catching whatever breath left in your lungs because the most magnificent view of the lake and the distant mountains is there in front of you was a highlight. The sun was out at this point which made it even more special. The rest of the route was hilly but undulating. The clouds started to roll in and about half way through the run the rain started again but it was a welcome cool down. After about 20 minutes it stopped but stayed overcast. The last few miles were relatively flat but on the main road which added an element of jeopardy with the sparse but fairly fast moving traffic. A very well marshalled and signed route and one which both TAC runners agree they would tackle again.
Vicky Bainbridge came in at 2.10.43 and Judith Rodwell at 2.30.40
