Tunbridge Wells half-marathon race report

A record 1,061 competitors finished the 24th running of the Tunbridge Wells half-marathon on Sunday - an occasion which many believe was the most successful in the event's history.

In excellent running conditions, William Levett of Bedford and County AC led home the field in 1:11:15, almost two full minutes clear of second place Julian Rendall of Tonbridge AC, winner of the last two races. Dominic Elsby of Victoria Park Harriers came in a minute behind to take third place.

Emma Dennis of David Lloyd club was the first woman home in 1:27:55, half a minute ahead of Tunbridge Wells Harriers' Tara Taylor and Cassie Carson (no club).

Tunbridge Wells Harriers won the women's team prize ahead of Beckenham RC and Crowborough Runners, while Tonbridge AC took the men's team prize from Tunbridge Wells Harriers and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers.

But mere statistics fail to tell the full story of the race. A new, more prominent, start area in St John's Road coupled with a celebrity starter in the form of Olympic 800m and 1,500m champion Dame Kelly Holmes gave the event a real sense of occasion. As a result there appeared to be many more spectators around the course than in previous years. Their support was a welcome boost to the runners, especially after the gruelling climb up to Fordcombe from Penshurst and in the final stages through Langton Green.

Club chairman Andy Howey said:

"I honestly don't know where to start, as today's event was such a great success in so many areas. I've had many comments from runners thanking the club for the constant support and encouragement given to them all the way around the course.

"None of it would have happened without a great deal of work from Race Director Ivor Lawrence and his race committee. Today, I was proud to be a Harrier - a sentiment shared by many of you. I was also proud to be Chairman of club that is so committed to promoting running within our community."

Full results for the race can be found on the half-marathon page.

For the host club Tara Taylor put in yet another outstanding run finishing second lady with a personal best of 1.28.22 which also placed her first lady over 35 and 65th overall. Taylor put in a real spurt in the last stages of the race, overtaking Cassie Carson to get into second place and finishing just half a minute behind the first lady, Emma Davis of the David Lloyd running club. Her run also gained the women the team prize thanks to excellent personal best times from Ana-Maria Green ( 1.44.39, 407th) and Jackie Morton (1.44.40, 408th).

Duncan Collins in his first race for several months was first home for the Harriers, finishing sixth in an new personal best time of 1:19:06. He was followed by Michael Thompson (25th in 1.23.55) and Ian Wylie (26th in 1.26.10) to give the men's team second place.

Also running for the Harriers were:
49. Mark Taylor 1.26.51
86. Derek Harrison 1.30.08
119. Andrew Hinton 1.32.44 (first ever half marathon, and first run for the club)
157. Thomas Hillier 1.34.59
250. Peter Tullett 1.38.35
260. Roger Grist 1.39.05
311. Peter Lautch 1.40.59
323. George Harris 1.41.23
333. Guy Gracey 1.41.45
448. Kay Learmond 1.46.41 (new personal best by 2 minutes)
551. John Dyson 1.50.34
606. Christopher Hogan 1.52.46
648. Lizzy Bowen 1.53.32 (new personal best by 1 minute)
659. Tony Fountain 1.53.59
677. Caroline Mills 1.54.55
739. Tony Phillips 1.57.06
759. Carole Kennedy 1.59.07
772. Peter Nuttall 1.59.26
786. John Izard 1.59.26
1030. Bryon Taylor 2.30.33