FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thousands take part in biggest ever Bournemouth Marathon Festival
A record breaking 13,000 runners signed up to run in the fourth edition of
the Bournemouth Marathon Festival on 1st and 2nd of October. Runners from
across the UK and beyond gathered on the Dorset coastline for the biggest
event yet.
The festival included the Marathon, Half Marathon 10k, 5k, and Junior races
which made for an action-packed weekend.
Saturday saw the Supersonic 10K, Supernova 5K and Junior 2K and 1.5K races
take centre stage. The Supersonic 10K started at 4pm on the seafront and
saw victory for Genci Pepaj of Redway Runners, who finished in a time of 34
minutes 42 seconds. He spoke to us afterwards: "It was lovely, the weather
was good and all the locals came out to support so I can't complain. I took
the lead up after the first kilometer and held it from there, I'm very
happy to win here." The first female over the line was Christina Squire
with a winning time of 42 minutes 10 seconds. Christina reflected on her
race: "The second 5K was pretty windy, but it was nice to see that I had a
gap on the second female as I made the turn. It's great to get the win
here."
As dusk fell in Bournemouth, it was time for the glow in the dark Supernova
5K runners to light up the night. The final Saturday race kicked off at
7pm; runners set off along the promenade clad with fluorescent gear and
each with a headtorch, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle. The
eventual winner was Bayley Massey from Cambridge Harriers, in a time of 17
minutes 7 seconds. Bayley commented: "It was fantastic, the fact it's a
night time run gives it something different, it was great seeing everyone
coming round behind me as I made the turn. This is my third time down here
in Bournemouth and I love it every year." Bayley was followed home by
Michael Johnson of Wimborne AC, and Cameron Telford of Poole AC, in second
and third.
Lara Atkinson, also from Cambridge Harriers, was first female finisher -
successfully defending her title from last year. She raced round the 5k
route in 18 minutes 51 seconds. Lara said: I'm really happy with the win,
seeing all the other runners and having such great support from the crowds
really pushed me on. I ran here last year and it was great to be back!"
The two junior races got the ball rolling at Saturday lunchtime, with
hundreds of enthusiastic young runners crossing the finish line in the
bright Bournemouth sunshine. The 1.5K for ages 6-8 was first up at 1:30pm.
Eight year old Jon Pepin from the New Forest Juniors club raced to a new
course record of five minutes and 20 seconds, while the first female home
was eight year old Ruby Moroney, in a time of seven minutes and one second.
An hour later, it was the turn of the 9-12 year olds in the 2K. Finn Pardy
(aged 11) of Poole AC was first across the line in seven minutes exactly,
and Southampton AC's Megan Hulbert (aged 11) was first female home in seven
minutes and 49 seconds.
Sunday's half marathon event saw Alex Wall-Clarke from Southampton AC cross
the finish line first, with a time of 1:11:04. Afterwards he said: "I
really enjoyed that race today - it was a beautiful, scenic route. I've
been in good shape recently and felt confident going into the race, but you
never know who is going to turn up, so I'm really happy to come away with
the win."
The women's race was won by local girl, Emma Dews, who set a new course
record of 1:21:26, having giving birth just one year ago. Afterwards, Emma
commented on her win: "That went really well! I wasn't expecting that so
I'm really, really pleased. I have been wanting to do this race for a while
but had just had a baby last year. I actually ran past my house twice on
the route!"
The final event of the 2016 festival was the full marathon, which got
underway at 10am from Kings Park under brilliant blue skies. At the front
end of the race, a group of four broke clear early on, including Kenyans
Stanley Kiprotich Bett and Julius Kiplagat Korir, along with Moroccan
Abdelhadi El Mouaziz. The pack of four, which also included Japhet Koech of
Kenya, were still together as they ran over Bournemouth Pier and through
the finish area in Lower Gardens with nine miles remaining. But it was Bett
who surged clear in the closing stages, crossing the line in a swift two
hours 17 minutes and 59 seconds. El Mouaziz stayed strong to claim second
in two hours 20 minutes and 45 seconds, with Korir third in two hours 25
minutes and 44 seconds. After his win, Bett said: "The route was good and I
felt good the whole way round. There was some strong wind on the shore but
I just ran my own race. I enjoyed the Bournemouth sunshine too so I'm very
happy."
The female race was won by Eddah Jepkosgei of Kenya, who held off a strong
challenge from compatriot Hildah Cheboi. Jepkosgei said: "I liked the
route. I was with a group until about 7km and then I went on my own. I
enjoyed the day and the sunshine was lovely." Brit Emma Prideaux of
Billericay Striders came home in third place finishing in three hours one
minute and 15 seconds.
Ben Smith, who was the official starter of the full marathon, sounded the
start of the race at 10am which saw thousands of runners set off from Kings
Park and complete the coastal marathon route around Bournemouth and Poole.
Ben completed his 398th marathon on Sunday, which is part of his 401
challenge - to run 401 marathons in as many days and raise money for
Kidscape and Stonewall.
He said: "It was an absolute honour to be the official starter of the
Bournemouth Marathon. I actually ran a PB for the challenge - 3:39:22. This
is the third year I've done this event and it gets better and better every
year.
"I've seen some amazing places and run with some incredible people all over
the country through the 401 Challenge, I'm excited for the future."
Elsewhere, there were plenty of other inspirational people doing truly
incredible things. One such example was Holly Jobling. Last year, Holly had
life saving surgery for cervical cancer. One year on and she has just
completed her first ever half marathon for the Bournemouth Marathon
Festival official charity partner - Macmillan Cancer Support. Holly said:
"I chose this charity to say a massive thank you. My journey would have
been a lot harder without them."
Neil Kilgour, Race Director said: "It's been another incredible
record-breaking weekend at the Bournemouth Marathon Festival, with over
half a million pounds raised for good causes.
"Thanks to all the runners, supporters on route and to our fantastic team
of volunteer race crew from all over the UK and beyond for making
Bournemouth one of the UK's ultimate running destinations: running as it
should be.
"Come and see us again next year for BMF 2017!"
Early bird entries are now available for 2017 until Sunday 16th October.
Find out more at www.bournemouthmarathon.com
2016 BMF Marathon
RESULTS
Top 3 men
1. Stanley Kiprotich Bett, 2:17:59
2. Abdelhadi El Mouaziz, 2:20:45
3. Julius Kiplagat Korir, 2:25:44
Top 3 women
1. Eddah Jepkosgei, 2:40:38
2. Hildah Cheboi, 2:45:39
3. Emma Prideaux, 3:01:15
2016 BMF Half Marathon
Top 3 Men
1. Alex Wall-Clarke of Southampton AC, 1:11:04
2. Peter Thompson of Bournemouth AC, 1:11:49
3. Tom Griffiths of Guildford, 1:13:28
Top 3 Women
1. Emma Dews of Bournemouth AC, 1:21:26
2. Rose Penfold of Fulham RC, 1:22:47
3. Katy Ward of Haslemere Border AC, 1:23:05
2016 BMF 10k
Top 3 Men
1. Genci Pepaj of Radway Runners, 34:42
2. Gary O'Brien of Swindon Harriers, 35:50
3. William Stanley of Victoria Park Harriers, 36:09
Top 3 Women
1. Christina Squire of Zoom Triathlon Club Bournemouth, 42:10
2. Camilla Bishop of Brighton and Hove, 42:50
3. Holly Weir of Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets, 42:58
2016 BMF 5k
Top 3 Men
1. Bayley Massey of Cambridge Harriers, 17:07
2. Michael Johnson of Wimborne AC, 17:42
3. Cameron Telford of Poole AC, 17:57
Top 3 Women
1. Lara Atkinson of Cambridge Harriers, 18:51
2. Abbie Lovering of Wimborne AC, 19:01
3. Sarah Cleland of Hart Road Runners, 19:35
2016 BMF Junior 2k
Top 3 Boys
1. Finn Pardy of Poole AC, 07:00
2. Will Rabjohns of Poole AC, 07:08
3. Oliver Phillips of City of Salisbury, 07:25
Top 3 Girls
1. Megan Hulbert of Southampton AC, 07:49
2. Rihanna Smith of Enfield and Haringey AC, 08:08
3. Beth Davidson of Swindon Harriers, 08:22
2016 BMF Junior 1.5k
Top 3 Boys
1. Jon Pepin of New Forest Juniors, 05:20 (course record)
2. Will Bradfield, 06:00
3. Oliver Buck, 06:07
Top 3 Girls
1. Ruby Moroney 7:01
2. Daisy Sears 7:08
3. Tillie Woods 7:16
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