Road2Recovery Half-Marathon raises £13k-plus

The event attracted 300 entries for the longer distance and was staged thanks to the hard work of organiser Claire and her army of volunteers, as well as the support of several local businesses, including Melton Building Society.

The amount of organisation Claire and chief supporter Stuart Hall faced took her by surprise, but she was delighted with the feedback and the superb fundraising tally of £13,374.

Like all of Claire’s fundraising events, the proceeds will go to the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation and their groundbreaking research into a cure for paralysis.

“It was a really good learning curve – it was full-on,” Claire said.

“It was a friendly event and that’s what we wanted; it couldn’t have gone better.”

More than 100 entered the fun run, while the children were kept entertained by a magician and other family fun at the race HQ.

Town musician George Simpson played a set for supporters, Michelle Kent did a pre-race warm-up for the runners, and Bowler Roasters provided a hog roast.

“All the sponsors, marshals, and helpers, particularly Stuart, have been brilliant, Claire added.

“It makes a real difference to me to put on a good event and the feedback has been amazing.”

Jason Barton, from the Stilton Striders, won the half-marathon in a superb time of 1hr 19min 25secs, almost five minutes clear of second-placed Jonathan Pinder, from the York Knavesmire Harriers club.

The course covered a picturesque, but challenging route along country lanes from Eye Kettleby Lakes around Great Dalby, Little Dalby and Burrough Hill country park.

Stilton Strider Luke Eggleston completed the top three in 1.26.06 as the Melton running club filled five of the top 10 places.

Stuart Shaw was sixth in 1.27.49, Matthew Gayton was back in 1.29.26, and Darren Glover was 10th in 1.30.59.

Other Stilton Striders times: 12 Mark Stoneley 1.34.50, 15 Natalie Teece 1.35.14, 20 Michael Cooke 1.39.58, 21 Andy Nicholls 1.40.23, 36 John Houghton 1.44.06, 51 Michelle Farlow 1.48.15, 59 Vicki Lowe 1.49.35, 74 Abigail Arnott 1.52.28, 91 Mike Brighty 1.56.36, 92 Mike Williams 1.56.55, 98 Helen Plant 1.57.16, 99 Jonathan Wilson 1.57.30, 106 Matthew Chalmers 1.58.30, 169 Kaye Mead 2.13.49, 182 Louise Houghton 2.20.07, 191 Alison Wilson 2.22.28, 202 Clive Kent 2.27.25, 203 Jenny Kent 2.27.27, 204 Laura Pickard 2.27.28, 205 Ben Pickard 2.27.28.