COMPETITORS showed their staying power over a distance of 50 miles in the 41st Round Rotherham Run.
A total of 209 people, compared to 195 last year, took to the Start line
at Manvers Waterfront Boat Club for the annual event which
circumnavigates the borough and also produced a local winner.
Susan Keens of Maltby Running Club was fastest female home in 8:21.46.
Second was last year's quickest woman, Lisa Walbridge, in 8:23.55 with
Abby Heffren of Killamarsh Kestrels third in 9:11.21.
There was a familiar name in overall top spot as Kevin Hoult of Calder
Valley Fell Runners won in 7:10.00 to pick up his fifth Round Rotherham
title in 13 attempts and his first since 2022. Hamish McDougall was
second in 7:20.53 and Mark Robbins third in 7:42.15.
Quickest local runner was Rotherham Harriers' Mark Plant in 7:42.59.
Stephen Rowbotham, son of Round Rotherham founder Ralph Rowbotham, was
among the organisers. He said: "The weather was probably too hot for the
runners but for everybody else it was absolutely gorgeous.
"Earlier in the week we looked like having to have a diversion around
the Woodhouse Washlands because they were 3ft-4ft under water but come
Friday it had disappeared and the course had dried out lovely.
"We only had five dropouts in the race, which is incredible. Usually
there are ten to 20. A good number finished who actually started, which
is great."
A total of 26 relay teams also took part.
Worksop Harriers' Green Gods beat Kimberworth Striders to the men's
relay gong and their Green Godesses also took a female relay first, with
Striders again a worthy second.
Presentations at Manvers were made by Peter Elliott, Rotherham Harriers' president and former Commonwealth Games middle distance gold medallist.
Hardman and relay teams
do steely Striders proud
KIMBERWORTH Strider Tom Hardman
lived up to his name as he put in a stellar performance at the Round
Rotherham Run.
He blitzed his way round the orbital route of the borough in eight hours
ten minutes and 55 seconds and that was good enough for a fifth-placed
finish in the solo event.
Tom (left) was joined by a host of teammates as they tackled the tough
but picturesque course in near perfect conditions.
Andrew Hedison was next to return, clocking 9:34.05. Lauren Corcoran
posted 11:16.31 and Jonathan Griffin (13:09.13), Becky Stocks (13:09.25)
and David Stocks (13:09.29) made up the excellent solo squad.
There were podium finishes for the men's and ladies relay teams who both
claimed second place.
Keith Shore (1:09.34) got the men's team underway from Manvers to Grange
Park along with Olivia Taylor 1:24.34 for the ladies team.
Matt Allott (48.37) and Tina Medlock (1:01.54) took over to Treeton.
Waiting to go to Harthill were Yonathon Abraham (1:00.43) and Amanda
Wassail (1:15.06)
For the next leg to Woodsetts Nicola Hacking timed 57.04 and Liam Swift
46.44. Penny Fisher (49.08) and Brian Miranda (48.22) took the batons to
Firbeck. James Bower posted 31.45 and Elly Rodgers 41.07 as they made
their way to Maltby.
Lee Rawson (41.23) and Pelle Zoe (55.41) took the penultimate leg to
Hooton Roberts and Kevin Doyle (41.42) and Samantha Weatherall (53.24)
took the teams back to Manvers.
Kieron Cawkwell, Lee Abell, Blaise Glennnnon, Rachel Kay, Bridie
Andrews, David Sharp, Louise Hill and Tina Bell clocked 8:41.32 forthe
Mixed 'B Squad.
The mixed team of Frances Coughlan, Caroline Saunders, Michael Jell,
Gary Coughlan, Hannah Atkinson, Gav Smith and Pat Rooney timed 8:41.46.
Tom Burns made the short trip for the Doncaster 5k and posted an
excellent 19.40
