The 34th Dartford Half Marathon
Central Park, Dartford. Sunday 11th July 2010
Five hundred and forty one runners completed the 34th running of the Dartford Half Marathon on Sunday 11th July, enduring seasonally warm conditions over a new course with an extra hill added! The race got underway at 9:00am in Central Park, Dartford, before heading into the country lanes of the Darent Valley.
Fast Starters Dan Pyne (Dartford Harriers) and Abdi Madar (Thanet Roadrunners) were soon joined by Dean Lacy of Cambridge Harriers, once the race left the park. After about the five mile mark, Lacy managed to pull clear and at the finish was over two minutes ahead of Madar, in a winning time of 72:23. Alan Thompson (Kent Police AC) moving up to take third place.
In the ladies race, June Allen of Springfield Striders AC was thrilled to win in her first race back after a two year absence due to injury, in a time of 1:29:00. Second lady home was Heather Fitzmaurice (Sevenoaks AC), followed by Sarah Maguire of Canterbury Harriers.
Team prizes went to Orpington Roadrunners (Men) and Kent AC (Ladies). A special mention should go to the largest non-club team : The Bridie Bears Team, who managed to field twenty two runners. They are running in memory of Bridie Stuchbury who died from Mitochondrial disease in April this year. The team are raising money and awareness of the disease via the Lily Foundation. For more information please visit the website www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk
Much of the feedback from runners who took part this year involved praise for the enthusiastic local residents who turn out every year to encourage the runners as they pass by. In particular this year, special thanks are due to the residents of the Fleet Down estate in East Dartford, - it was the first year that the race has passed through here and the reception was particularly welcoming and greatly appreciated by the competitors.
There was also a Fun Run held on the running track, involving kids of all ages, to help raise money for Cancer Research UK.