13 miles of sheer pain and pleasure

7:00am Monday 13th October 2008

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IT MAY have resulted in thousands of aching limbs, but this year’s Swindon Half Marathon has been declared a huge success by organisers and runners alike.

Crowds gathered at the start and finish line in Pipers Way on a warm afternoon yesterday to cheer on the 1,500 hardy souls who braved the challenging 13.1-mile course.

But as those running for fun and charity toiled on the steep inclines, one man was showing the field a clean pair of heels.

David Roper, 23, crossed the finish line in a time of 1hr 14mins and 34secs.

He was 31 seconds ahead of second-placed 35-year-old Lee Piercey. Both men represented Basepoint at Westlea Business Centre.

The first woman across the line was Rachael Elliott, with a time of 1:22:38.

Runners’ times were measured automatically by a microchip inside their race numbers.

People who ran for charity said the experience had been worthwhile.

Miss Swindon Rebecca Cole, 23, from Stratton, raised about £400 for the Prospect Hospice.

“It was very hard and so hot,” said Rebecca, who finished in just over two hours.

“I was trying to run under the trees in the shaded areas as much as I could.

“I was running with my personal trainer Adam Yorke, who kept me going.

“The first six miles were difficult but after that I got into it.”

Colin Francome, from Highworth, achieved his goal of being the first man over the age of 60 to juggle during the entire race.

The 64-year-old said: “I stopped to do a few kids’ shows which slowed down my time a bit, but it was great fun. Going up the hill was hard and battling with the wind while juggling was difficult.

“It was a fine run, a bit hot, but lots of water breaks helped.”

Councillor Stan Pajak (Lib Dem, Eastcott) ran for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Wiltshire.

He said: “There was a fantastic crowd all around the circuit.

“I’ve run it every year since it started and plan to do the same next year.”

Craig Faulkner, 45, from Abbey Meads, said: “I ran for fun today – not that it was a lot of fun. Finishing was the best part of the day.”

Kate Hodgson, 24, from Ferndale, came in at two hours and 10 minutes.

She said: “You know Marlborough hill is coming and that was the hardest part. I pushed it down the back straight and my hamstrings just seized completely.”

Nationwide employee Michelle Leighton, one of the race organisers, thought the day had been a great success.

She said: “It’s always worthwhile organising the event and it keeps getting more popular every year.”

There were also 250 runners involved in a five-mile multi terrain run around Coate Water and another 250 people took part in the fun run around Pipers Way, Broome Manor Lane and Marlborough Road.

For a full list of results and picture pull-out special, see today's Swindon Advertiser.

Click here to view our Half Marathon picture gallery.