Athletics

Half Marathon set to be biggest and best

Runners in last year's City of Norwich Half Marathon get under way.

The City of Norwich Half Marathon is hoping to mark its 25th birthday with a double record-breaking celebration.

Following an all-time high entry of 2,695 participants in 2008, organisers have reported that this year's race, which starts and finishes at the Norfolk Showground, is poised to smash that total and could even top the 3,000 mark.

And a revised route, which excludes the gruelling hill finish through Bawburgh Golf Club, could see the course record of 1hr 3mins and 59 seconds - set by South African Neo Molema in 2005 - come under threat.

The race - supported by the Eastern Daily Press - takes place on Sunday, November 29 and Richard Polley, road running co-ordinator for City of Norwich Athletics Club, said: “We've kept an eye on how entries have been going this year compared to last year and we're about 100 ahead of where we were in 2008. Whether or not we reach 3,000 doesn't really matter, we're just delighted to have got 2,000 already and generally the next two or three weeks is the most busy time for entries coming in. Of course it would be nice to get a record entry for our 25th year.”

The event has almost doubled in size in recent years - the entry in 2002 was a comparatively small 759 - and Polley added: “The whole thing really took off two years ago when two things happened - one was we decided to move the race away from its traditional June date to a cooler time of the year when there weren't many other races taking place in this part of the country. That has been coupled with the partnership we now have with Larking Gowen, who have upped the ante as far as marketing is concerned. Together we've driven the numbers up and we're delighted with our relationship with them.”

Runners will complete two laps, covering a distance of 13.1 miles, although this year they will not have to contend with the energy sapping steep climb towards the finishing line.

Polley explained: “There's been some remodelling of Bawburgh Golf Club over the last year and that's prompted us to look at ways we can improve the course. Effectively the bits we were using through the golf course are no longer part of our route, so we've got permission from Easton College to race through the centre of the college campus. We've also applied to the highways department for road closure orders, so the vast majority of the route will be closed to traffic during the race, which will significantly improve the safety factor.

“It will probably lead to faster times because the golf course hill was really sharp, whereas the bit through Easton College is a much easier climb. You're still climbing the same distance, but it's now spread over about a mile and a half, so it's a much easier climb back into the showground.”

Last year's race was won by Matthew Janes from Bedford & County AC in 1hr 5mins 44sec, while City of Norwich AC's Olivia Walwyn was the leading woman in a time of 1:17.29.

The chosen charity for this year is East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) and entry costs £16 for members of an affiliated club or £18 if unattached to a club.

There is a £2 discount for online entries and further details are available at www.cityofnorwichhalfmarathon.com. Online entry closes at midnight on Saturday, November 21.