Jonathan Poole and Lucie Custance win 2019 Ealing Half Marathon
The award-winning Ealing Half Marathon took place on Sunday 29 September, and welcomed thousands of runners to the leafy streets of West London for its eighth anniversary race.
It once more proved to be a day of incredible community support and superb running achievement, with many spectators lining the route to cheer on the runners and spreading the legendary #EalingFeeling despite a few rain showers.
The race set off from Lammas Park, with local resident and comedian Shappi Khorsandi sounding the start horn, and proceeded through Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens before returning to Lammas Park. The atmosphere was fantastic as athletes from over 26 countries made their way round the 13.1-mile course and there were scenes of jubilation as they crossed the finish line and celebrated their accomplishment.
Jonathan Poole (handicap -4.2) was back in Ealing, and after dominating from the start he managed to defend his title and take home the win for a third consecutive year, finishing in 1:10:14. Alex Bampton (handicap -4.2) and Nicolas Besson (handicap -3.1) were battling it out for second place, with Bampton crossing the finish line 3 seconds ahead of Besson.
Lucie Custance (handicap 1.3) claimed the women’s title in a time 1:19:03, with last year’s winner Rachel Thomas (handicap 2.6) finishing in second place in 1:19:36. Jenni Ball (handicap 3.5) took third place in 1:21:05.
The Ealing Half Marathon race day followed a hugely successful Ealing Mini Mile on Saturday, which welcomed 1,500 young runners aged 1-16 to Lammas Park and was sponsored by local independent Catholic girls’ school St Augustine’s Priory. There was also a Family Mini Mile race for children aged 5 and under, and the event set the scene perfectly for the half marathon race on Sunday morning.
Lots of familiar faces were seen on the Saturday, with many young runners taking part each year and working their way up the age categories. The afternoon kicked off with the Family Mile, which saw young Ealing Eagle Daniel Ellison come first in 7:20.
RESULTS (provisional): Ealing Half Marathon, 29th September 2019
Male:
1. Jonathan Poole (Serpentine RC), 1:10:14
2. Alexander Bampton (Highgate Harriers), 1:10:49
3. Nicolas Besson (Serpentine RC), 1:10:52
Female:
1. Lucie Custance (Clapham Chasers), 1:19:03
2. Rachel Thomas (Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC), 1:19:36
3. Jenni Ball (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow AC), 1:21:05
For results please click here
or head to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com.
Sandra Courtney, Race Director, commented, “We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout and support for Ealing Half Marathon in its eighth year, and congratulations to everyone who crossed the finish line this weekend and was not put off by the weather forecast. From our local Ealing Eagles running club members through to athletes who had travelled from all over the world to be here, our thanks go to every single runner and volunteer for making the day the success it was.
“As always, we are grateful to all of our volunteers, marshals, sponsors, partners, local businesses and residents for their support in delivering another first-class race day. We look forward to seeing many faces back at the 2020 Ealing Half Marathon!”
Sponsors and partners of the 2019 Ealing Half Marathon included Up & Running, ASICS, Breathe Unity, St Augustine’s Priory School, The Forester Ealing, Move Clinics, Ealing Fitness Clinic, Westside, Fuller’s, Equinox and Ecowood Moves.
Prizes for Ealing Half Marathon were supported by the Official Sports Retail Partner Up and Running.
The Official Race Charities were Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Support and Meadow House Hospice.
The 2020 Ealing Half Marathon has been confirmed to take place on Sunday 27th September. Early bird entries will open on Monday 30th September.
Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further race info and results. You can also like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ealinghalf and follow @EalingHalf #EalingFeeling on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Ealing Half Marathon.