A RECORD 4,300 runners of all ages and abilities completed the 2019 Air Products Worcester City Run comprising the Worcester City Half Marathon, 10K and Young Athletes Run.
Course records were broken and the runners were cheered on by big crowds of locals who lined the streets of Worcester on a bright Sunday morning (September 15).
As well as many leading club athletes, including large numbers from local clubs Black Pear Joggers and Worcester AC, hundreds of runners raised money for good causes including around 80 for the event’s official charity, the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.
Among them was larger than life charity runner Colin Burgin-Plews, better known as Big Pink Dress, who completed the 10K in a ladybird-themed dress that weighed one and a half stone and took his height to seven and a half feet.
Many of the Black Pear Joggers at the event were running in memory of clubmate Matthew Armstrong, who died suddenly last month aged only 48.
Winner of the Worcester City Half Marathon was Omer Ahmad of Birchfield Harriers in a time of 63 minutes and 29 seconds, breaking the course record by over six minutes. The women’s race was won by Julia Bijl of London Heathside in 80 minutes 14 seconds and there was a close finish in the wheelchair race with Gary Cooper of Coventry Athletics Club winning in 68 minutes and six seconds, three seconds ahead of Rob Smith in second.
The 10k was won by Simon Birch of Hinckley Running Club in 32 minutes and three seconds while local runner Sophie Booth of the Black Pear Joggers won the women’s race in 37 minutes 54 seconds and Ed Grazier of Cheltenham Harriers retained his title in the wheelchair race in 32 minutes 25 seconds.
Event founder Steve Cram said: “Worcester always seems to deliver! We attracted yet another record field for this year’s event and there was some fantastic running at the sharp end of each race.
“It’s always exciting to see a course record being set and Omar’s run in the half marathon was outstanding.”
Mayor of Worcester, Coun Allah Ditta, adds: “The Worcester City Run is always a really uplifting event, whether you’re taking part or cheering others on.
“New friendships are made, personal records are broken and the positive atmosphere is infectious. I’d like to thank everyone who’s worked so hard to bring this fantastic event to Worcester – once again it’s been an absolute triumph, with more people participating than ever before.”
Visit www.worcestercityrun.com for the results in full.
