RUNNERS in Coventry’s eagerly anticipated half-marathon were out in force for Sunday’s sun-soaked event.
Thousands took to the streets yesterday (Monday 24) representing hundreds of charities to take on the 13.1-mile challenge.
Residents lined the track to cheer on competitors with some trumping personal bests and others grateful to reach the finish line.
The event was cancelled last year after the city was struck by the Beast From The East – a period of snow and icy conditions which rendered the half-marathon unsafe, organisers said.
More than 4,000 people signed up for the event – and many more lined the route.
The cancellation was hugely disappointing to the thousands that signed up but this year’s event was a welcome contrast.
The sun-kissed route took runners past some of the city’s most iconic sites as well as the rural fringes of the city, with roads closed off to accommodate participants.
The event’s Race Village was situated outside Coventry Cathedral and the newly installed Knife Angel sculpture.
Some runners decided to don costumes to bring smiles to those watching on while others decided the smaller 5k Fun Run was a more realistic target for them.
The best time for the half marathon was Chris McGurk – bib number 12 – who completed the race in one hour and eight minutes.
In the wheelchair event, Rob Smith – bib number 16 – got to the finish line in one hour and 11 minutes.
Clark Roberts came out on top in the 5k Fun Run, finishing in exactly 17 minutes.
And the city’s very own Olympic silver-medalist wheelchair sprinter Kare Adenegan – of the Coventry Godiva Harriers – finished on top in the wheelchair 2.5K on eight minutes and 33 seconds.
