Stories, Articles and Race Reports
Battle of Northampton Challenge - 28th January 2012
Published on Monday 30 January 2012 11:31
About 100 runners, including a group of professionals who have together clocked up more than 58,000 miles, took part in the first Northampton Marathon of the 21st century on Saturday.
The 26.2-mile Battle of Northampton race around the Brackmills industrial estate raised money for Cynthia Spencer Hospice, and was started by Conservative MP Michael Ellis.
Among the runners was Brian Mills, UK record holder, who has run 820 marathons, and 77-year-old Robbie Wilson, who was the oldest starter and has run more than 400.
Published on Saturday 28 January 2012 07:10
About 100 runners, including a group of professionals who have together clocked up more than 2,200 marathons, were today expected to take part in the first Northampton Marathon of the 21st century.
Competitors from around the UK were due to travel to the town's Brackmills industrial estate to take on a 26.2-mile course this morning in aid of Northampton-based palliative care centre, Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
Around 100 runners were expected to take part in the event, dubbed The Battle of Northampton Marathon, and supported by businesses on the industrial estate.
Among them were a number of record holders who have all run at least 400 marathons between them, with some having run more than 800.
Sara Homer, director of Brackmills-based Image Fitness Club, which has organised the event, said: “We have already raised nearly £1,600, and that's just from entrance fees, and we have a huge raffle planned, thanks to the generosity of so many local people and firms.
Volunteer marshals will be helping us on the day, and every penny we raise will go to Cynthia Spencer Hospice.”
The first Northampton Marathon took place in 1982 from Midsummer Meadow and around the east of the town and became an annual event, but after a few years it was cancelled because no sponsor could be found to fund it.
Ms Homer said: “As a child I remember the old Northampton Marathon, which went along the bottom of our family garden, so it's a real privilege to be bringing a marathon back to the town, with Brackmills at the heart of it.
“The sense of community has been incredible. Although it's been really hard work I know it will be worth it and we hope to make this an annual event, something the town can be proud of.”
The Battle of Northampton marathon will be a five-lap course of a reservoir near Brackmills, and will also run alongside the River Nene.
The race was being started from Image Fitness Club at 10am by Conservative MP for Northampton North Michael Ellis, returning to the club for the finish.
An earlier start of 7.30am was scheduled for a group of professional runners who have run hundreds of marathons and thousands of miles between them. Brian Mills, UK record holder, has run 820 marathons while Gina Little has completed 421.
Meanwhile Robbie Wilson, aged 77, will be the oldest starter and has run more than 400 marathons. And if Martin Bush crosses the finish line, he will be celebrating completing his 600th marathon.
