Up and running at Eden
News Archive > Sport > Up and running at Eden
THE poor weather failed to dampen the spirits of over 1,000 runners who took part in the inaugural Eden half and full marathons.Tim Smit, Eden chief executive, fired the starter pistol for the marathon and half-marathon events while Olympic athlete Jemma Simpson, from Polgooth, started the one mile fun run.
The winner of the marathon was Pete Roper from Shaftesbury, Dorset who runs with Poole Athletics Club. Pete’s time was two hours 46 minutes 11 seconds.
Pete, a seasoned runner with a number of race wins under his belt, said: “It was a demanding race and the scenery was great. It’s an honour to be the first ever winner of the Eden Marathon.”
Local runner Sean Milford (Newquay Road Runners), from Nanpean, managed to finish in second place, coming home in two hours 50 minutes and 55 seconds, while Dave Stone (Exmouth Harriers) finished third in 2:59:55.
The first woman across the line was Ann Singer from Portishead Running Club with a time of three hours 38 minutes 32 seconds.
Ann, who was running her first marathon, said: “The route was very hilly but really good. I felt strong all the way round but I was very surprised at the result. My aim was just to make it round the course.”
The half marathon was won by Chris Thompson from London who runs for the Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club with a time of one hour 18 minutes 41 seconds.
The fastest woman in the half marathon was Kathryn Philpotts of Swaledale Road Runners with a time of one hour 37 minutes 12 seconds.
Ian Williams, Eden’s operations director who helped organise the race and also ran the marathon with a time of four hours 13 minutes 22 seconds, said: “It’s been a fantastic day we’re very proud of everyone who has organised and taken part in the races. The course was brilliantly challenging and Eden provided a great backdrop for the finish line. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
Doug Alsop, chairman of St Austell Running Club, said: “The race was spectacular, to see that many people lined up at the start was a dream come true. It was great to see the local community come together to help organise and support the race.”
Doug’s son Dan was the first member of the St Austell club to finish the race, finishing in fifth with a time of three hours, ten minutes and 13 seconds while, St Blazey footballer Daniel Nancarrow who was running the marathon in memory of former team-mate Phil Smith who died last June raised £1,000 as he finished in four hours, 40 minutes and 36 seconds.
