Kenilworth Half Marathon - 4th October 2009 - 10:00am

Kenilworth Runners were blessed with perfect weather to stage their annual half marathon race from the Castle Farm Sports centre which was a far cry from last years torrential rain. The popular local event on quiet country lanes takes an out and back route from Fishponds Road to the village of Beausale. The race attracted 550 plus entries despite Birmingham staging the World half marathon Championships next weekend and the Coventry Half marathon later in the month .

With the race underway at 10.00am the leading group included two previous winners Paul Andrew (Northbrook AC) and veteran Garry Payne (George Eliot Striders) with previous ladies winner Myshola Kirkham ( Coventry Godiva Harriers), finalising her preparations to go under 3 hours in the Abingdon Marathon in two weeks time, in the second group. By the three mile mark in Rouncil lane Andrew had a commanding lead of 45 seconds over Andrew Cooney (Datchet Dashers) followed 30 seconds later by Payne and Emmerson Combstock (Coventry Godiva Harriers) battling for third position. Meanwhile in the ladies race Myshola Kirkham (Coventry Godiva) held a commanding lead over Kate Wright (Stratford AC) and former Kenilworth Runner Isobel Wykes(Unattached)

These leading positions in both the mens and ladies race were maintained until nine miles when Combstock overcame Payne, who was returning after injury. Both Andrew 1 hr 13mins 56 and Myshola 1hr 23.56 won by considerable margins.

 Full Results