Beverley’s Ladies Win Major Stone Half-Marathon

After several weeks with no local events, athletes from Beverley Athletic Club enjoyed a return to racing at the Major Stone Half-Marathon last Sunday.

It is usually a very hot day for this race and this year was no exception. The race route is a pleasant one on quiet rural roads around the village of Lockington but the gently undulating course is very open and offers little respite from the heat of the sun.

For the third year in succession Beverley won the ladies’ team prize. This year the team consisted of Laura Egan, Zoe Dale and Sam Allen in 9th, 11th and 13th place respectively. It was Laura’s first race for the club and she led the team home in a very impressive 1:38:50. Looking very strong and relaxed, she overtook Zoe Dale and Sam Allen at ten miles.

Zoe was the next of the three to cross the finishing line. She recorded 1:40:14 and took first prize in the V40 category.

Despite the heat Sam Allen set a new personal best, recording 1:42:03 and finishing 2½ minutes faster than last year. She said: “I was really pleased to just get round the course. I can honestly say I have never run in such warm conditions.”

In her first half-marathon race since the birth of her son six months ago, Claire Traynor finished in a commendable 1:43:53, only 30 seconds slower than the last time she ran this race in 2009.

Howard King ran his first race for Beverley and completed the 21km course in a respectable 2:15:52.

There were no prizes for Beverley’s men but several did very well in their age category: Steve Peacock finished in 12th place in 1:26:03 and was third V45; Andy Arnold finished in 1:31:45 and was second V50; Pete Watkinson recorded 1:38:04 and was second V60+.

With a number of local runners reaching their milestone 60th birthday this age group continues to grow and twenty V60+ men ran at Lockington, including Beverley’s John Fewings (1:57:42) and David Robinson (2:00:08). Scarborough’s Neil Scruton was the first V60+ to finish and completed the course in an impressive 1:34:14.

There were 189 finishers and the race was won by Steve Bateson of East Hull Harriers in 1:12:27. The first lady was Jackie Lord of City of Hull AC in 1:26:37. Cit of Hull also won the men’s team prize.

Beverley AC finishing times:
Steve Peacock 1:26:03; Andy Arnold 1:31:45; Pete Watkinson 1:38:04; Laura Egan 1:38:50; Zoe Dale 1:40:14; Sam Allen 1:42:03; Claire Traynor 1:43:53; Stephen Dale 1:47:19; Neil Bant

Reported by Kay Farrow