Thousands took part on Sunday 28th

The 3rd Ealing Half Marathon took place in unseasonably hot and sunny weather conditions. A number of runners were taken ill and there has been some very sad news that the man who received emergency CPR treatment close to the finish line has now died.

The race was started by inspirational local resident Tracey Melville at 9.00 am, sending the runners on their way around Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens before they crossed the finish line in Lammas Park.

Thousands of runners were seen wearing yellow ribbons to raise awareness of the disappearance of missing teenager Alice Gross. Ribbons were also tied to trees and fences along the route, which runs close to where Alice was last seen.

The Ealing Half Marathon attracts an international running field but it firmly has its roots in the local community and sees a lot of support from local businesses, residents and runners. The race is a Community Interest Company (CIC), which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

Run-Fast athletes Ben Siwa and Gladys Yator claimed the winning titles in Ealing with Siwa crossing the finish line in 1:07:33 and Yator successfully defending her women’s title in a time of 1:15:58.

Runner up Antonio Silva (Sporting Clube de Portugal) finished in 1:08:34 and Serpentine RC athlete Jonathan Poole claimed 3rd place in 1:09:33, ahead of his club mates John Franklin and Andy Greenleaf. In the women’s field Abbey McGhee (Victoria Park AAC) took 2nd place in 1:18:51, ahead of 3rd placed Isobel Rea (West 4 Harriers) who crossed the finish line in 1:25:14.

More than 220 Ealing Eagles took part and the Serpentine Running Club used the Ealing Half Marathon as their Club Championship Race.

The fastest runners in the Ealing Mini Mile, which started at 9.15 am and covered a one-mile route around Lammas Park, were Milo Choudhry (6:08) and Victoria Fletcher (7:23) in the 6–11 years category. Joseph Barnes (5:18) and Laura Stewart (5:59) of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC took first place in the 12-16 years category.

RESULTS
Ealing Half Marathon, 28th September 2014:

Male:

1. Ben SIWA (Run-Fast), 1:07:33

2. Antonio SILVA (Sporting Clube de Portugal), 1:08:34

3. Jonathan POOLE (Serpentine RC), 1:09:33

Female:

1. Gladys YATOR (Run-Fast), 1:15:58

2. Abbey McGHEE (Victoria Park AAC), 1:18:51

3. Isobel REA (West 4 Harriers), 1:25:14

For the full results please go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com .

Race Director Kelvin Walker commented: “Thank you to everyone who has been supporting the race and contributing to its success today, including the volunteers, marshals, our sponsors and Ealing Council. A big thank you also goes to the six Anglican churches who were manning the water stations with their congregations and handing out water to the runners on this hot day.

“The race has been a platform to show the nation and the world how much our community cares, it’s been very emotional for everyone involved to see the course covered in yellow ribbons and thousands of runners wearing the ribbons which have become the symbol in the #FindAlice appeal.

“Everyone has experienced the true #EalingFeeling today and I am very proud to be part of this community.”

The Ealing Half Marathon was voted ‘Best Half Marathon’ at The Running Awards 2014 and is now a firm fixture in the autumn running calendar.

Charity fundraising is a big part of the Ealing Half Marathon and over 700 runners took part to raise funds for headline charity Alzheimer’s Society. Other official charity partners included Epilepsy Action, Ealing Samaritans, Tearfund, Cape, Raise the Roof Kenya, Shooting Star Chase, St Mungo’s, Ealing Centre for Independent Living, The Gabrielle Gray Foundation and Imperial College Healthcare Charity.

Official race partners for 2014 included ASICS, evian®, Clif Bar, Up & Running, Move Clinics, Mercedes-Benz Brentford, Xempo, 1e, Crowne Plaza, The New Inn, Ealing Broadway Centre, Ealing Gazette, Ealing Eagles and Ealing Council.

Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further race details, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealinghalf and follow @EalingHalf on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Ealing Half Marathon in the lead up to race day.

2nd October 2014