A Yorkshire runner has stormed to victory to take the title in his very first Sheffield Half Marathon.
Andrew Pearson, 38, from Longwood Running Club in Huddersfield, led the 13.1 mile chase, which took place at Don Valley Stadium on Sunday April 25, from the start.
The former international runner beat last year’s winner, Sheffield’s Jason Ward, with a time of 67:04. Andrew’s first place finish also meant he won the Yorkshire Championships held in conjunction with the race.
Andrew, who lives in Tingley near Wakefield, said: “I’m surprised that I won. You never go into a race thinking you can win, but training has been going well and I am in good form. I will come back for next year’s race.”
Andrew was joined by a competitive list of both elite and recreational runners in the race. In second place was Newham and Essex’s Dave Mitchenson who finished the race 25 seconds after Andrew Pearson.
Edward Mitchell, from Crookes, Sheffield, was competing as part Sheffield law firm Nabarro’s Corporate Challenge teams and finished third with a time of 69:22, by far the fastest time for a runner unattached to a running club. When quizzed at the finish he agreed it was about time he joined a club. Edward was running for Macmillan Cancer Support, one of the ten chosen charities.
Last year’s winner Jason Ward, who runs for Altrincham Running Club, finished fifth with a time of 70:12.
In the ladies race, Lincoln Wellington’s Natalie Farrow, 26, crossed the finish line two minutes ahead of her competitors.
Natalie, from Cleethorpes, said: “I can’t believe I came first. I finished fourth last year and have been training for shorter distances recently, but I managed to lead the pack from about the second mile mark. The Sheffield Half Marathon is a great race which is really well organised and it’s nice to have a stadium finish to spur you on during the final stretch.”
Second place went to Natalie’s team mate Harriet Canter, with third given to local girl Susan Atkinson from Dronfield.
The race was started by Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars star Dean Andrews and Lord Mayor Graham Oxley.
Dean Andrews, from Rotherham, said: “The Sheffield Half Marathon is really well supported and it’s great that everyone comes together. My daughter Sharny is running so it’s great to be here and see everyone cheering.”
Entries poured in for this year’s SIG Insulations-sponsored event and the runner limit was reached seven weeks ahead of race day for the first time ever, making this year’s race the most popular in its 29-year history.
The Fun Run also hit large figures, with runners donning fancy dress and racing alongside shorter distance competitors. Fancy dress costumes included superheros, war veterans and members of Sheffield Chinese School running with two large dragons. Toddlers and pensioners ran alongside those taking part in the Fun Push, for wheelchair-bound supporters.
The course saw competitors run through Attercliffe towards Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, before heading along Bramall Lane, London Road and on to Ecclesall Road, where spectators lined the streets.
The field then turned back towards Don Valley Stadium via the city centre, Brightside Lane and Attercliffe Common.
Margaret Lilley, chair of the Half Marathon organising committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of this year’s Half Marathon and Fun Run. The take up and attendance was the most popular and biggest we have had so far.
“The atmosphere on Ecclesall Road, in the Sheffield City Centre and inside Don Valley Stadium was fantastic. We’ve also received great feedback about the improvements made in Attercliffe with dancers and music really energising runners. The Half Marathon proved a very humbling day as usual. We can’t reveal the official total raised for the ten local charities yet, but will announce the figure at our awards evening in a few months time.”
A full list of results and times is available on the Half Marathon website, visit www.sheffieldmarathon.com.
