Triple Run draws 1,300 competitors (From Malvern Gazette)

Triple Run draws 1,300 competitors

10:00am Wednesday 25th June 2008

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MORE than 1,300 competitors braved Sunday's high winds to take part in the third annual Acorns Triple Run.

The Three Counties Showground was the venue for the event, which raises much-needed funds for Acorns Children's Hospice and other charities.

The Triple Run brings together competitors of all levels of fitness and ability to take part in three events: the 13.1-mile Malvern Half Marathon, the five-kilometre Spring Run and the one-kilometre Chicken Run for entrants with special needs.

Runners and organisers alike were grateful that this year there was none of the heavy rain which dogged the event over the last two years, but the high winds caused problems for the Chicken Run course, which had to be dealt with by last-minute improvisation.

Chairman of the organising committee Chris Price said: "This has been the best year yet for the event, and runners are now recognising the Triple Run as an established race event in their diaries. The runners in the three races provide inspiration to the other participants in different ways.

"It is a true tribute to the event's vision which is about celebrating the strength and determination that we all have within us and offering every competitor the opportunity to achieve their own personal best."

Competitors were led through a warm-up routine by fitness trainer Shirley England from the Splash, before the Malvern Half Marathon and Spring Run were started by Acorns chief executive David Strudley. The Chicken Run was started by Mary Lowance from Aardman Animation, creators of Wallace and Gromit.

All three runs finished under the distinctive triple archway watched by a crowd of some 3,000.

Overall winner of the event, Matt James of Hereford Couriers, said: "I take part in many running events and this was one of the best organised events I have run in. The policing, the marshalling and the co-ordination were all superb. I was pleased with my time, considering the windy weather, which probably added about five minutes onto my usual time for a half marathon, but the course was otherwise great."

Organisers hope that £40,000 will be raised for Acorns, plus a further £10,000 for other charities.

Results.

Malvern Half Marathon.

Male: 1 Matt James, Hereford Couriers (1hr, 18 mins, 43 secs); 2 Stephen Bauer (1hr, 20 mins, 14 secs); 3 Stacey Morgan (1hr, 20 mins, 18 secs). Male veteran 40 : Richard Lloyd (1hr, 25 mins, 2 secs). Male veteran 50 : Peter Richardson (1hr, 23 mins, 50 secs).

Female: 1 Emma Gooderham, Malvern Joggers (1hr, 22 mins, 5 secs); 2 Kate Goodhead (1hr, 23 mins, 35 secs); 3 Elena James (1hr, 28 mins, 51 secs). Female veteran 35: Sarah Urwin Mann (1hr, 26 mins, 17 secs) Female veteran 45: Kate Wright (1hr, 29 mins, 31 secs).

Spring Run.

Male: Emmett Thompson of Wollaston, near Lydney; female: Emily Merrick of Ledbury.

Team challenges for the Half Marathon and 5K events.

QinetiQ Corporate Challenge: 1 Davies and Partners Solicitors A Team; 2 LSA.

Knowles Sports Club Challenge: 1 Malvern Tennis Academy; 2 Splash Everyone Active Globetrot Malvern St James Schools Challenge: 1 Ribston Hall High School; 2 The Downs Malvern College Prep School; 3 St Mary's Convent B Team.

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