 Brisk temperatures failed to discourage just under 11,000 runners from pounding the pavements of Bath today in the annual half marathon. Bright sunshine lit up the sandstone of Great Pulteney Street as the nation’s darling, and home grown hero, Amy Williams sounded the horn to set the runners off at 11am.
Just over an hour later, the men’s race was won by Ezekiel Cheruop from Kenya in 63.03, with Ethiopian born Salford runner Thomas Abyu in second place. Third place belonged to 2009’s winner Simon Tonui, also from Kenya. Great Britain Olympian Dan Robinson came in fourth place in a time of 64.43.  After the race Ezekiel commented, “There was great support all along the course and I feel I could have gone faster were it not for the cold and wind. Bath is a lovely place to run.”
Victory in the women’s race went to 38 year old Stoke runner Michelle Ross-Cope who completed the 13.1 mile course in 72.07. Hot on her heels was Leeds runner Susan Partridge, with last year’s winner, Kenyan Joyce Kandie claiming third place. Speaking just before the medal presentation, Michelle said, “I knew there was a good field out there today with the Kenyan winner from last year and I just came here to get a good time, whilst in training for London. I didn’t expect to win but lead from the first mile in. I am really pleased with my run today; it was a brilliant feeling to come down the home straight!” Aside from the elite field a total of 10,910 half marathon runners and around 30,000 spectators turned out to enjoy Bath’s biggest sporting event, each for their own reason. Faye Reynolds from Bath was running for the Brain Research Trust, she said, “I have really enjoyed myself today. The weather has been great and we were provided with plenty of drinks along the course which was much needed. It’s fantastic to see so many people getting involved and running for so many different charities. I would definitely do it again!” The 1.5 mile Family Fun Run, which is held in support of the Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends Appeal, attracted 750 runners and was won by 14 year old Taro Sherabayani from Weston in Bath.  Now in its 29th year, the Bath Half Marathon is one of the biggest fundraising events in the South West; raising £1.3million in 2009, with an annual target of £1.5million from this year on. The lead charity of the event this year was local charity Dorothy House Hospice, with other official charities including Royal Lifeboat Institution and Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
Race Director, Andrew Taylor from Running High said, “It has been one of our best years in terms of overall success of the day. We have put a lot of hard work and planning in to ensuring things ran like clockwork for all the runners today, and I believe it has paid off. Parking worked well, roads were clear, there was minimal congestion for people or traffic, the emergency services had a quiet day and the sun was shining – what more could we ask for? “We’d like to thank all the event team, volunteers and sponsors for working so amazingly hard, as they do every year to make the event what it is. But as always, the Bath Half was made special by the thousands of people who have taken part, pushed themselves to the limit and raised a lot of money for charity. They make the event one of the country’s top half marathons and we thank them for their continued support.” Male results: 1st Ezekiel Cherop (Kenya/Birchfield) 63.03
2nd Thomas Abyu (Salford Harriers) 63.48
3rd Simon Tonui (Kenya/Birchfield) 64.29 Female Results:
1st Michelle Ross-Cope (Stoke City AC) 72.07
2nd Susan Partridge (Leeds City AC) 72.45
3rd Joyce Kandie (Kenya/Birchfield) 75.12 | 