The largest contingent of Forest of Dean AC members to enter a race recently joined 1700 others to run the Forest of Dean Spring Half Marathon. In contrast to last March’s snow and ice, the weather was sunny and warm, with the trails dry underfoot.
The first male finisher was James Rodgers in 1:12:58 and first female Ella Waldman in 1:25:01. Bristol & West AC won the men’s team prize and CLC Striders the women’s.
First FoDAC to finish was Peter Woodward, 28th in 1:23:40 with Chris Penny gaining the club’s second “Top 50” shirt; 39th in 1:25:20. There followed 5 runners covered by a mere 48s: Leyton Fleet 1:28:04; Daren Smith 1:28:16; Richard Peglar 1:28:38; James Dobbing 1:28:48 and Julian Boon 1:28:52.
First lady finisher was Sarah Marley 1:52:59, followed by Kim Chester 1:56:52 and Jackie Green 1:57:09.
Other results: Dan Sandford 1:33:56; Martin Drew 1:37:05; Scott Berry 1:37:15; Richard Powles 1:37:47; Alan Robertson 1:41:48; Jim Storrar 1:43:47; Chris Moore 1:43:58; Brian Francis 1:47:12; Graham James 1:49:52; Jason Ross-Collins 1:50:47; Stef Francis 1:58:43; Richard Dennant; 1:59:23; Kate Frost 1:58:51; Nicola Hall 1:59:35; Val Hamilton 1:59:20; Liz Usedon 1:59:01; Jacqui Wynds 2:02:32; Colin Laver 2:03:53; Emma Parsons 2:06:16; Claire Morgan 2:07:11; Catherine Lyne 2:09:20; Anna Freeman 2:11:32; Rachel Nash 2:11:13; Jo Babij 2:13:44; Faith Neville 2:14:38; Vanessa Peglar 2:17:26; Ian James 2:18:06; Wendy Lawrence 2:19:55; Bev James 2:23:45 and Michelle Peacey 2:23:37.
The men’s team of Peter, Chris Penny & Leyton were 5th, and the ladies’ 14th. The Forest of Dean District Council Cups for first finishers from the Forest of Dean over 60 were won by Jacqui Wynds and Chris Moore.