FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The UK'S Newest Marathon Was at The Heart of A Spectacular Sporting
Weekend As Thousands of Runners Today Took Part in The First
Bournemouth Marathon Festival
In glorious sunshine, runners from more than 30 countries enjoyed stunning
sea views as they set off on the 26.2 mile course which includes
Bournemouth Pier at the centre of seven miles of golden sand. They included
super-fit Ebisa Merga who won the inaugural marathon, racing to the finish
line in a time of 2 hours and 16 minutes and 42 seconds during the two-day
running festival. The 25-year-old from Ethiopia was elated to set the
course record benchmark which runners in future years will have to follow.
He said: "It's an unbelievable feeling to finish first at the first ever
Bournemouth Marathon Festival."
"I loved the race, I loved the spectators and the weather was perfect for
me. I've run a lot of marathons this year but this one has definitely been
one of my favourites. Hopefully I'll be back to defend my title next year".
Olha Kotovska, 29, from Ukraine was the first woman home crossing the line
in 2 hours and 30 minutes and 4 seconds.
Today is also a proud day for Karl Randall from Tamworth who took up
running to lose weight in 2008 as the Bournemouth Marathon marks his 100th
marathon. 18 stone Karl could barely run for 3 minutes on a treadmill
before he decided something needed to change so he took up running. The 46
year old finished in a personal best time of 3 hours 53 minutes and 36
seconds saying "I waited 5 years to run a sub 4 hour marathon and now I've
done it!". Karl joins The 100 Marathon Club and commented "I'm delighted to
be joining such an elite group as The 100 Marathon Club today. I just love
running. I'm sure there are many more marathons to come!"
Super fit Nick Hitchings won an ambitious race against time to complete all
FOUR adult races running a total of 48 miles over the two-day running
festival.
The 44-year-old, who lives in Malvern, ran the half marathon today then
raced back to join the crowds in the nick of time and run the full
marathon. Nick, who yesterday (Saturday, October 5th) also completed the
Supersonic 10K in 49 minutes and 55 seconds and the Speed of Light 5K in 22
minutes and 1 second, was exhausted but elated when he finally crossed the
finish of the full marathon.
Nick said: "It's an unbelievable feeling to finish. I've had the most
amazing day and I loved every minute of the festival. The last 10 miles of
the marathon was tough but I knew it would be."
Nick has raised over £1,000 for the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
as his mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and he wanted to do
something positive for her.
The award-winning Boscombe Pier also featured in the new family friendly
festival which today also included a half marathon winner. Local lad from
Bournemouth Athletics Club, Manol Dimitrov, 24, raced home in 1 hour and
18 minutes and 43 seconds. Commenting on his run he said: "I felt great and
the atmosphere was brilliant! The weather was perfect and I just went for
it today".
Amanda Kerr, 32, from Wiltshire was the first female half marathon finisher
in 1 hour and 29 minutes and 14 seconds. Amanda usually runs triathlons but
decided to give the Bournemouth Half Marathon a go - it's her first half
marathon this year! She said: "It was an incredible experience and such a
lovely course and event. I was shocked and a bit overwhelmed" to be the
first female home.
21-year old half marathon finisher and local girl Kimberley Bracher
enjoyed a double celebration when boyfriend Scott Hudson proposed to her at
the finish line seconds after completing her race. She said: "my first half
marathon and diamond ring, thanks!". Finance Scott added: "It was
brilliant! I'm ecstatic that my beautiful wife to be, Kimberley, said
yes!".
And the world's oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh yesterday (Saturday,
October 5th) officially launched the Bournemouth Marathon Festival,
starting both junior races. With nine marathons under his belt, all
completed after his 89th birthday, 102-year-old Fauja was the perfect
choice to inspire the kids.
14-year old Piers Copeland from Poole Grammar School was the first
youngster home in the 3k in just 10 minutes and 20 seconds. And local lad
Thomas Farwell, aged 10, won the 1.5K race in just 5 minutes and 33
seconds.
Yesterday at dusk, runners were each given a luminous LED armband to wear
on a 5K Speed of Light race which created some magical moments for runners
and spectators as they lit up the coastal town. Rob Mctaggart from
Bournemouth raced to the finish line of the 5K in 17 minutes and 22
seconds, whilst 17 year-old George Goodwin from Dunchurch claimed victory
in the fast and flat Supersonic 10K race with a time of 35 minutes and 22
seconds.
Neil Kilgour, Bournemouth Marathon Festival Race Director, said: "With
miles of glorious, unspoilt golden sands and clear blue sea, Bournemouth
and Poole, provided a beautiful backdrop for the ultimate run.
"We're proud to host a brand new marathon festival in such a stunning
location. The spectacular, natural running environment and fresh air of
Bournemouth and Poole has proved a perfect choice for runners who want to
run "as it should be" making it an exciting addition to the UK running
calendar.
"From the elite runner through to the first time marathon runner, to
youngsters standing in the start pen for the first time in their lives, it
was a great pleasure to welcome them all. Many of these people were
changing their lives and many were changing the lives of others too through
raising vital funds for charity."
More than 750 runners from the Bournemouth Marathon Festival Official
Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support took part, together with 150 Affiliate
Charities with organisers confident more than £500,000 in total has been
raised for charity.
ENTRIES open for the 2014 Bournemouth Marathon Festival on Monday October 7
2013 with an early bird discount for everyone who registers for any race
distance before October 20 at www.run-bmf.com.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BournemouthMarathonFestival
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