Jonathan Poole and Melissah Gibson win 2021 Ealing Half Marathon
Ealing was buzzing over the weekend, with runners, supporters, residents and volunteers celebrating the return of the #EalingFeeling to the parks and streets of the borough.
The Ealing Half Marathon race weekend also included the popular Ealing Mini Mile on Saturday - had been eagerly awaited, with over 6,000 runners signed up.
Sunday morning (26th September) saw light clouds and unseasonably warm temperatures as the runners were lining up on the start line. Official starter Tom Kerry, Running Mayor of Ealing, sent the runners on their way at 9am before joining the running crowd.
Jonathan Poole (Serpentine RC)wason the start line to defend his title,and he managed to secure his 4th consecutive Ealing Half title in a time of 01:08:50 after pulling away from runner up Andrew McCaskill who finished in 01:09:14. Ollie Garrod (South London Harriers) took third place in 01:10:04.
Melissah Gibson (Ealing Eagles RC)was the fastest in the women’s field and took the title in 01:19:51, ahead of fellow Ealing Eagle Alice Sunderland who finished in 01:20:58. Sharan Basrai came third after crossing the finish line in 01:30:30.
The single lap 13.1 mile course started and finished in Lammas Park and took in parts of Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens.
The top threemen and women were awarded with a cash prize and Up & Running vouchers, and all age group winners as well as the fastest Ealing residents and the best fancy dress received Up & Running vouchers also.
Runners from 102 different running clubs were taking part, including over 330 members from the Ealing Eagles Running Club. Many runners could also be seen in charity vests, raising valuable funds for lots of different charities including Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Meadow House Hospice.
Ealing Mini Mile took place in Lammas Park from 12 noon on Saturday 25th September, with the biggest ever field of young runners signed up and a total of eight races across the various age categories. This year’s finisher‘s t-shirt featured a designed by Natalie from St Joseph’s School in Ealing.
The winners of the 2021 Ealing Mini Mile in the different age categories were:
George Antoniadesand Isla Fereday(Family Mini Mile); Aditya Kansagraand Jessica Lennon(6 year olds);DejanLuzajic and Cissie Bootman(7 year olds);Noah Liborg and Alexia Gaudin(8 year olds);Jack Jones and Violet Muralidhar(9 year olds);Stefan Luzajic and Kara Bryan(10 year olds); Zacharia Van Der Graaf and Leila Newth(11 year olds); Gus Lewis and NaiMossi(12-16 year olds).
Sponsors and partners of Ealing Half Marathon 2021 includedUp &Running, ASICS, Ealing Fitness Clinic,IKON Dental Suite, Forester Pub and EHM Legacy CIC. Associates and supporters includedEaling Eagles, Equinox Coaching, Westside Radio, Pladis, Let’s Do This, Xempo, Breathe Unity, Ecowood Move and Ocado.
Sandra Courtney, Race Director, said, “Ealing Half Marathon 2021 has been a huge success, it’s so good to be back! We would like to congratulate everyone who took part, and thank allour runners, volunteers, team, sponsors, partners, charities and residents for their ongoing support. Ealing Half Marathon is an independent race by a non-for-profit organisation, organised by a CIC for the benefit of the community, and we couldn’t do it without the support of everyone involved and all the runners signing up year after year. See you again next autumn!”
The 10th anniversary race will be taking place on Sunday 25th September 2022 and entries open at 1pm today (27th September) with places at just £29 for the first 200 entrants.
Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further details and results.You canalso 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.
Photo credit - ©Angela Donnithorne Photography