Sidmouth runners enjoy half marathon with music

Nine Sidmouth runners headed to London this weekend to take part in Run to the Beat, London’s Half Marathon with Music.

There were 17,000 runners taking part right through from novice runners to professional athletes and 14 music stations playing carefully selected music to help and motivate you around the course (We didn’t know any of the bands, think it’s our age showing).

The race, which begins at the 02 Arena, runs parallel with the Thames, past the Royal Artillery Barracks, heads towards Greenwich Park, on to the National Maritime Museum then turns back at 11 miles to the Millennium Park, finishing back at the Arena.

The London Underground, however, decided the morning of the race to repair the Jubilee Line, adding nearly two hours to our journey, but, much to our relief, the organisers put the race back by an hour.

There were PBs for three runners, Lesley Roberts 1.46, Becky Robson 1.52 and Sarah Watkins 1.55. Lynda Hawkins had to walk two miles before the run because of the train problems but still finished in 2.02 with Helen Palmer in hot in pursuit in 2.03.

The next group were all doing their first Half Marathon. Anne Langworthy and Lesley Hook both finished in 2.03 with Tim Harris a minute back from that and Louise Brown on 2.11.

The group had all trained together and their efforts certainly paid off - so much so that all four, it is rumoured, can’t wait till their next one!

? In the New Forest half marathon, Christine Nichols went back for more - or should we say less, because she knocked a good four minutes off last year’s time - 1.59.02.

Graham Stout, running anonymously, screamed away at the start and strolled across the line in 1.41.27 to take 255th place out of a total of 1,763 finishers.

Mick Allen likes to run at his own chosen pace and finished comfortably in 2.02.07.

? This weekend sees the novel “Guess your Time” run on Saturday afternoon starting at the White Cross car park, 3pm. There is the option of a two or four mile route. Watches are taken into custody and the winner will be the one closest to their estimated time.

Anyone can go along and entry is free.