Wimslow Half Marathon through the Nought-ies

Gareth Raven - Tour of Thameside 2019 - he finished second

Today we will finish off the ‘Noughties’.

In 2005 on March 20th the race was again sponsored by Allsports. This year  the foreign dominance of the Half Marathon was broken. Well sort of!

Thomas Abyu was first home in a time of 1:06:11. Thomas was born in Ethiopia in 1978. After his father had been killed in the civil war he came to the United Kingdom as a political refugee and was given asylum in 2000, becoming a British citizen in 2005. He ran and won the Manchester marathon in 2002.  

Half a minute behind him was a runner from New Zealand.  The first Wilmslow Runner Michael Halman was 12th.

Sarah Willimot was first lady in a time of 1:18:26. Three minutes ahead of the second lady finisher.

The number of runners had increased to 3,360.

A year later Asics were sponsors. The race was held on the 19th of March 2006. Andy Norman,  a local Altrincham runner, came home first in 1:05:54 – just over a minute before the second runner.

Michael Halman from Wilmslow improved his time by over 90 seconds and  had now moved up to 6th.

Wilmslow had 4 finishers in the first 36 and Stuart Parrot, Tom McGaff and Rob Downs efforts were Men’s team winners!! Ahead of Salford and Altrincham

Pauline Powell representing Blackburn was ladies champion with a time of 1:16:15. Second lady to finish was 40 seconds behind. And the Ladies Team winners –were Wilmslow! Their team of: Jane Clarke; Kate Ayres and Nicky Mowat pipped Stockport and Altrincham.

Again, the number of runners finished had just increased slightly to 3,373.

2007 saw the return of Thomas Abyu return and win the Asics Wilmslow Half Marathon on March 25th. He improved his time by over 100 Seconds to 1:04:24 ahead of his Salford team mate Andi Jones.

Michelle Ross appeared on the scene to win her first Wilmslow Half marathon in 1:12:43. She had begun running competitive half marathon races in 2006 – winning the Great North Run in 1:14:52.In October 2007 she was representing Britain in the IAAF World Road Running Championships at Udine [Italy][. Something she did for three successive years.

Suzanne’s course record was still intact.

A few minutes behind In second place for the ladies at the Wilmslow Half was the 2006 winner Pauline Powell.

Yet again, the number of runners finished had just increased slightly to 3,450.

In 2008 the race was held on the 30th March. We had a new Men’s Champion Gareth Raven, from Sale, in a time of 1:06:29. Almost 2 minutes ahead of Philp Hoole of Rotherham

Michelle was back again. A few seconds slower than last time. But, just over 2 minutes ahead of second place runner Wendy Nicholls from Cirencester.

Wilmslow’s first man was again Mike Halman this year 7th. Sue Hool was Wilmslow’s first lady. 

Sale Harriers were Men’s Team Champions – they beat the Wilmslow team of Mike Halman, Tom McGaff, Rob Downs and Stuart Parrot, by 1 point. 72 to 73.

Stainland Lions took the Ladies Team Champions title.  Tattenhall Runners were second and  the Wilmslow Team of: Sue Hool, Kate Sutton and Nicky Mowat; were joint third with Stockport Harriers

3,350 runners finished.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the results for 2009!

What we do know is that it was on the 29th of March. That day the Men’s winner was Mark Miles in a time of 1:04:11.

And Michelle Ross-Cope was back to take the Ladies title with a time of 1:12:35. Just 3 seconds slower than the women’s course record. But for how long would it remain so?