FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2022 Edinburgh Marathon Festival Becomes Biggest
Sports Participation Event In Scottish History
FORTY THOUSAND runners from all over the world gathered in the nation's
capital to take part in this year's Edinburgh Marathon Festival, making it
the biggest sports participation event in Scottish history. Across the
action-packed weekend, Scotland's biggest running festival featured eleven
races including a marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10k and 5k, plus six
junior events.
Sunday's weather made for perfect running conditions on one of the world's
fastest marathon courses, where both Scottish and international runners
battled it out for the top prize.
Runner's were set off by Official Starter and national treasure, Mary
Berry, of Great British Bake Off fame.
Matthew Gillette raced to glory with a winning time of 2 hours 17 minutes
and 57 seconds.
Afterwards he said "Our friends were looking to book a vacation in Scotland
when we discovered there was a marathon on in Edinburgh this weekend. We
signed up last year and thought "alright let's do it!"
This was a great course! I've ran two marathons so far and this course was
flat and had great views - I loved it!"
Peter Avent, Shettleston Harriers claimed second place in 2 hours 21
minutes and 29 seconds, followed by Ollie Garrod, South London Harriers in
2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds.
The women's race was dominated by Virginie Barrand, Metro Aberdeen RC who
lead from the front with a time of 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 seconds.
"Yeah it was really good fun, we couldn't have got a better day for it - no
wind at all, sunshine, not too hot, great atmosphere - there were people
cheering us the whole way which was really nice.
I had a pace I wanted to stick to, so the first 3-4 miles were quite fast
then I just had to keep going."
Sophie Delderfield from Vale of Aylesbury AC in 2 hours 51 minutes and 43
seconds and Christina Strauss in 2 hours 54 minutes and 18 seconds
completed the podium.
33 year old Justin Longbottom completed the Edinburgh Marathon today to
raise money for Mastocytosis UK. His son Ralph was diagnosed with Diffuse
Cutaneous Mastocytosis.
Little Ralph also suffers from blisters that come up all over his skin and
his head which cause him great frustration and pain. Ralph has, in his 8
months of life, spent his fair share in and out of hospital for stays and
appointments.
"I'm running this for Mastocytosis UK to help with their funds but also
massively to raise awareness of this disease which goes unnoticed and I'm
sure in many cases undiagnosed." explained Justin.
Durham's Kieran Walker stormed to victory in Sunday morning's half marathon
with a winning time of 1 hour 5 minutes and 19 seconds, sprinting on the
final straight to beat Lewis Rodgers of Fife AC with a time of 1 hour 5
minutes and 24 seconds, with Michael Christoforou of Cambuslang Harriers
completing the podium in third with a time of 1 hour 5 minutes and 41
seconds.
Kieran said "It's the first time I've ran in the Edinburgh Half Marathon,
and I've ended up with a PB which is great! Really perfect conditions,
probably one of the best halfs I've ever done, and I've raced a few!
Rebecca Burns of Pitreavie AAC was the winner in the women's race with a
time of 1 hour 17 minutes and 30 seconds.
Rebecca said: "I loved it! It's my first proper half marathon, it was a
great course and really fast."
She was followed by Sarah Brown in 1 hour 17 minutes and 48 seconds with
Claire Bruce of Metro Aberdeen RC finishing in third place with a time of 1
hour 17 minutes and 57 seconds.
Edinburgh's Holyrood Park played host to Saturday's action with the 10k, 5k
and junior races kicking off the festival's line up.
Mark Macdonald of Skye & Lochalsh Running & Athletics Club was first home
in the EMF 10K race with a winning time of 33 minutes and 24 seconds.
First female in the EMF 10K was Tammy Wilson of Jsk Running Club in a time
of 39 minutes and 17 seconds.
Merce Sanchez Oller of Edinburgh University Hare & Hounds stole the show in
the women's 5K field with a winning time of 18 minutes and 49 seconds.
Jacob Hiom of Durham University Athletics and Cross Country Club was the
first finisher with a winning time of 16 minutes and 43 seconds.
Over 1000 youngsters took part in Saturday's junior races, consisting of
the 1.5k for 6-8 year olds and the 2k for 9-12 year olds, as well as both
the Junior 5K and the Kids' Kilometre.
Kids Kilometre superstar, 6 year old Robyn Skipworth, ran today for a very
special reason.
She ran for family bereavement charities Baby Loss Counsellling and Support
/ Held in our Hearts in memory of her little brother Alex, who tragically
passed away 3 weeks after he was born due to a congenital heart defect.
Mum Katy explained: "After Alex died we were utterly devastated and lost,
returning home from hospital without him felt like we were the only people
in the world that this had ever happened to".
Robyn's family were introduced to Held in our Hearts the very next day. "We
received a phone call from Nicola and it was like a tiny chink of light
opened into our dark world".
"The support we have received from Held in our Hearts has been incredible.
Robyn wants other families to get the support we have."
Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Director, said: "After what's
been a tough couple of years for everyone, It was incredible to see tens of
thousands of participants back in Edinburgh, raising millions for good
causes.
"We are so proud to host a truly world class running event in Scotland's
capital for runners of all ages from across the globe. Congratulations to
everyone who took part. Thanks for making the 2022 Edinburgh Marathon
Festival the biggest sports participation event in Scotland's history. Come
and see us again next year!"
Entries for the 2023 Edinburgh Marathon Festival which takes place on Bank
Holiday Weekend, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May, are open with an early
bird discount for everyone who registers before midnight on Sunday 12th
June at www.edinburghmarathon.com
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