2014 Macclesfield Half Marathon & 5k - Race Report

Created on Monday, 29 September 2014 07:44

Last Updated on Monday, 29 September 2014 18:03

Written by Neil Gunn

The 2014 race took place on a beautiful, sunny and warm late summer’s day on Sunday 28th September. There was a total of 685 finishers in the Half Marathon and 119 finishers in the 5K race. There was a real buzz and party atmosphere at the Macclesfield Athletics Track as hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the race and enjoy the sunshine. The positive feedback and smooth organisation is down to the hard work and dedication of over 130 volunteers from Macclesfield Harriers.

The winner of the Half Marathon was David Webb from Telford who cruised home in 1:10:23, over 6 minutes ahead of second placed runner Rob Downs from Wilmslow who broke the MV50 record that had stood since 2009. Rob now holds both the MV45 and MV50 records. Diane McVey won the ladies Race in a time of 1:23:14 and finished 10th overall.

There were three new records set in 2014; Rob Downs MV50, Grant Walker MV75 in 2:11:49 and Alexis Dinsmoor FV65 in 2:06:55.

The 5K race attracted 119 runners, many of whom were taking part in their first ever race after completing couch to 5K courses. The race was won by Ben Light from Buxton in a time of 17:39. Katie Lowery moving up an age category to FU17 broke her own record set last year and finished 2nd overall in a time of 18:17. The ladies race was a family affair with sisters Ellen and Juliet Downs finishing 2nd and 3rd and and Emily Lowery younger sister to Katie winning the FU15 category.

In the fun run there were 39 youngsters who completed the course to be awarded well-deserved medals.

All the profits from the race are donated to charities and the race committee hope to donate over £5,000 to the East Cheshire Hospice.  The committee would like to thank main sponsor Simon Carves Engineering for their continued generous support of the Half Marathon and the support from Spire Regency and Paul Smith Dental.

CLICK HERE to see a few pictures from 'goody bag filling' and race day at the track

CLICK HERE to see race pictures from Bryan Dale