Watford Half Marathon

3rd February 2008

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The threatened snow and rain held off to leave a clear, bright but cool morning with a stiff breeze for Sunday's Watford Half and Junior Challenge races.

The popular half marathon had sold out its 2000 places as usual and many Chiltern Harriers made the trip to Cassiobury Park. The course leaves the park and travels through quiet country lanes up towards Sarratt. The first half contains some short but steep climbs and descents, leaving a gentler second half returning to the park.

The wind prevented very fast times but Derek Brown still made the top ten with a time of 1 hour 15 minutes 31 seconds in ninth position. The next Chiltern men home were Robert Burton, 30th overall in 1.20.05, John Morton 43rd in 1.21.40 and Ian Lawson 143rd in 1.28.50.

The ladies also had a strong team with Laura Butt, celebrating her birthday to become a Vet 35, leading the Chiltern women home in 325th overall (35th woman) in 1.35.15. Isabelle Winter had a good run to be 376th (46th woman) in 1.36.44, followed by Kate Loach 571st (73rd) in 1.41.16 and Clare Levine in 630th (87th) in 1.42.52.

After the Half Marathon got under way and departed the park, the Junior Challenge race commenced. This is one race comprising Under 10, Under 12, and Under 14 categories for boys and girls of 2.2km, run on the park's footpaths.

From a field of well over 100, Chiltern were well up the placings with Will Perkin overall 6th (2nd Under 10 Boy), Connie Lewis (1st Under 12 girl) and Claire Buttivant (1st Under 10 girl) all at the head of the field. Also running well were Rachel Padwick, Sophia Lingley, Hannah Shepard and Amy Buttivant.

Other Chiltern positions