Brunel University, Uxbridge, Sunday 23rd of March
This is the Hillingdon Half that was last run before in 2003.
ROBERT THOMPSON, led all the way in the Hillingdon Half Marathon in his fastest time of 70:42.
James Laing, in his first half marathon was in second place through out the race, to make it one two for the home club and,
as it was James Laing's first half he wanted to try and do 72 minutes for the race
(He ran 71:55). The next two home
were veterans. Chris Dettmar
(72.40) of Headington and fourth came Duncan Burbidge
(75.07) - the Highgate
Harriers Masters Cross Country Champion, who was directed off course, just before the finish which affected his individual
time. Duncan felt he would not have beaten Dettmar on the day because Dettmar was well ahead of him at the time a marshal
misdirected him.
About the event that took place in light winds and intermittent sunshine, round a course that included the
Brunel University Campus, Uxbridge, Cowley,Stockley and Hillingdon, was a partly modified version of the race route from
the last Hillingdon Half run in 2003.
Rob Thompson "It was a nice course, it was pretty flat to be honest. Roads were pretty quiet. I would like
to have had some company on the run, after the first 100m. He continued 'I am only 23 so I do not want to run the marathon
for a few more years because I am still young. My mileage on a hard week has been about 70 miles. I want to get my 5k time
down in the Summer, below my personal best of 15:03."
(A Sub 15.00) He added 'I have had a good Winter with 44th in
he Inter-Counties and 52nd in he 'National'.
44 year old,
Chris Dettmar, was a clear third of the 559 finishers and besides doing the London he is really
aiming to do the World long distance Duathlon Championships in Switzerland in September.
'Do Summer training for that with a lot of cycling to be in good shape'
It was interesting to hear his comments about the Duathlon "My highlight was winning my age group in the European Duathlon
Championships last year when I was 3rd overall. That day everything went perfectly and I ran just over 48 minutes for the first
15k, before getting on the bike for the 60k, which was unbelievable. The problem was I had raced too hard the weekend before
and forced to rest, that shows what happens if you are forced to take it really easy so, my legs were superb on the day"
Mike Boyle was the first M50 in seventh place and now runs 50 miles a week, as opposed to 70
as a M40 but remarked "I am doing just the base races and hope later on in the year to improve with age 'relatively'. I was
good at 40's and I need to be better at 50's."
Lisa da Silva came 30th overall in 82:24. "My first ever half was five years ago. I really
wanted to run half a minute quicker than my PB to-day. I thought I was going to get a PB but on each of the two big loops
there were a couple of hills. I lost about 10 seconds per mile. 'She added' I am getting back to where I was before I had my
child Louis, 18 months ago. I was pleased with 50th in the Inter-Counties and this Summer I would like to do the steeplechase
again, get some practise in too."
'I like road more than cross county and this is good. I need to do it again!."
Organiser
James Shipley the Director of 'Active Training World' who was standing in the finishing
area "I am really pleased with it. I am getting lots of feedback and everyone is saying how much they enjoyed it and
glad the race it back.'
'I would love to do it again next year, fingers crossed, as we get feedback.'
'We had about 750 entered. Unfortunately there seemed to have been a bit of problem with the Met Line, getting
people to the start. 570'ish people started the race."
First 12:- 1 Robert Thomson (Hilllingdon) 70:42; 2 James Laing (Hillingdon) 71.55; 3 Chris Dettmar V40 (Headington) 72.40;
4 Duncan Burbidge (Highgate Harriers) 75:07; 5 Stephen Elson (Ealing & Southall) 75:59; 6 Tony Jackson V45 (Shaftesbury
Barnet) 76:05; 7 Mike Boyle V50, (Herne Hill Harriers) 76:12; 8 Mike Dooley V45 (Hillinngdon) 76:47; 9 Jamal Mohammed (Newham
& Esex Beagles 77:05; 10 Simon Jackson (Fairlands Valley Spartans) 77:43; 11 Manuel Da Silva (Thames Valley Harriers)
78:35; 12 Scott Farley V40 (Hilllindon) 78:57.
Women First Four 1 Lisa Da Silva (Thames Valley Harriers) 82:14 (Chip time 82:10); 2 Leigh James (Windsor Slough &
Eaton/London Heathside) 84.49;3 Nikky Gray (Reading Road Runners) 88:28; 4 Eva Mack (Hilllingdon) 90:30 (Chip time 90:25)
Alastair Aitken
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