Serious Runner and Running Newbie Smash Barns Green Half Marathon and 10K!

The Barns Green Half Marathon is always a highlight for me at this time of year. Brilliantly organised and very popular with local runners it’s always a really enjoyable event. And it raises lots of money for charity too. This year the chosen charity was St. Catherine’s Hospice.

As well as the half marathon a 10K race takes place. Both races  follow a circular route through the beautiful Sussex countryside. This year we were blessed with warm, dry weather. Perfect running conditions.

As well as taking part in the event myself I had a special interest in two other runners, Steve Rooke and Emily Jewell. Steve is a serious runner who completed the South Downs Way 50 mile run earlier this year. Emily is fairly new to running.

I have been able to help both runners with their training plans, and  to help them build the resilience they need to keep going when things get tough.

The men’s race was won by Neil Bonniface in 1:10:21. Steve and I finished within the same minute at 1 hour 48! The fastest female runner was Rachel Hillman, coming in at a super-fast 1:25:58.

Emily was delighted to complete the 10K and is now in training for the Brighton Half Marathon!

Next up – Chicago Marathon!

Steve is deep into his training for the Chicago Marathon this Sunday. He’ll be running alongside Mo Farah, who is looking to set a European record (faster than 2:05:48) and Galen Rupp, who having run a personal best of 2:06:07 in Prague is looking to beat the American record of 2:05:38.

I’m sure Steve won’t be far behind!

Good luck Steve!

You can register for next year’s Barns Green Half Marathon here.

If you want to get started with distance running, like Emily, or you want to compete in marathons and ultra marathons, like Steve, give me a call. Together we can make it happen! Send me an email or call me on 01403 390193.