Severn Bridge 10K & Half Marathon (28th August 2022). A Bridge Too Far? – Definitely Not!
Her Majesty and I first crossed the original Severn Bridge in 1966 – she to cut the ribbon, me a boy on his bike. 56 years later, I’m back to run the popular Severn Bridge Half Marathon, to make the crossing again under my own steam for only the 3rd time in my life.
I give you this preamble only to say that to be allowed to run over The Bridge again, cleared of all traffic, is a very special thing indeed. The sun shone, the views were fantastic, and I’m glad to report that the iconic old structure is in pretty good shape (the bridge was looking ok too!).
Back to the running… the 10K & a Half Marathon – across the Severn (& Wye) and back to the finish (twice for the HM), and it’s on our doorstep. About 1000 finishers across the 2 races. Plenty of parking, facilities etc. and, apart from the ‘announced’ delayed start – that then wasn’t (chilled to panic in 0.5 sec at the start for me!) the organisation was great.
The best thing about this race (apart from the unique setting; amazing views; excellent; organisation; friendly atmosphere; etc. etc.) is that you can always see the runners around you, behind you, in front of you, coming back the other way, so there’s plenty of opportunities to give and receive encouragement (thanks guys) but, also, there’s nowhere to hide so you HAVE to keep going. An ‘honest’ race, and all the better for it in my book. Oh, and it’s not flat!
So how did we do…
10K
95 48 Jessica BONHAM F Senior 00:50:01
148 400 Caroline POTTER F V60 00:54:10 2nd FV60
255 515 John WALKER M V65 01:00:13
477 286 Rich KENINGTON M V65 01:18:25
Half Marathon
2 1021 Callum MOORE M Senior 01:15:54 2nd Male Overall *
17 803 John COX M Senior 01:23:37 *
18 827 Kelly DICKS F Senior 01:23:41 2nd Female Overall
22 978 Marcus KROPACSY M V45 01:25:07 2nd MV45 *
79 1205 Dave WINTLE M V65 01:39:06 1st MV65 *
105 915 Will HILLIER M V50 01:44:25
124 1151 Christopher TAYLOR M V70+ 01:46:53 1st MV70+
178 985 Andrew LAWS M V45 01:54:12
182 1162 Andrew TIPPER M V60 01:54:32
279 901 John HARGREAVES M V65 02:06:15
* – 1st Male Team (Half Marathon)
As you can see, more than our fair share of overall & category winners. Very impressive from a field of this size and the men won the Team prize too! Well done GWR.
