Runners out in force for Stafford Half Marathon

A record number of athletes took part in one of the region's longest-running sporting success stories.

The 27th annual Stafford Half Marathon attracted a field of 2,500 runners yesterday, and hundreds of people from all over the Black Country and Staffordshire turned up to show their support.

A former national champion from Wolverhampton, Phil Nicholls, smashed the course's record time coming in at one hour, five minutes and 33 seconds. Prior to Sunday, the best time for the 13.1 mile stretch was one hour, eight minutes, and 52 seconds.

The 27-year-old teacher from Coseley School, near Wolverhampton, has been running since the age of seven and is a member of the Tipton Harriers club.

The first woman to finish was Claire McKittrich, 39, from Loughborough, in one hour, 23 minutes and eight seconds. It was her first half marathon for 11 years. The competitor who arguably travelled the furthest to take part was Charles Chambers, 57, from Australia. His mother and father live in Stafford and he is a keen runner so he decided to take part while he was visiting.

He said: "I was born in Stafford and moved away 28 years ago, so it's nice to be back and see how things have changed."

The main event started in the town centre at 10am shortly after the hand cyclists got under way.

The hand cycle race was won by Rob Wickham, 47, from Loughborough, who completed the course in 50 minutes.

All of the runners were electronically timed using a chip that goes in the laces of their shoes which is set off when they cross start line and stops when the cross the finish line.

The route took in Stafford's surrounding countryside on traffic-controlled roads, and included two steady climbs before returning to the Market Square via Victoria Park.

Many children took part in a short fun run around the town centre with their mothers and fathers. The winner was James Russell, 14, who goes to Stafford Sports College and plays for Stafford Town.

Local community groups, bands, and school children were offering support to the runners along the course.

More than 4,000 litres of water were drunk by the runners and 4,000 Fairtrade bananas were donated by Midlands Co-operative for all of competitors.