Tunbridge Wells Half-Marathon
Runners fight for places on
the streets of Tunbridge Wells. Picture:Martin Apps
by Alan Newman
Runners from across Kent were among the 1,900 athletes
who toed the start line for the 30th anniversary Lifestyle
Renault Tunbridge Wells Half-Marathon on Sunday.
Conditions were bitterly cold with snow flurries but the
competition was red hot as the Essex cross-country champion Tom
Payn, from the aptly-named Run-Fast Club, dictated the pace with
Anthony Jackson (Sittingbourne Striders) and Paul Martelletti
(Victoria Park Harriers).
Payn carved out a near three-minute cushion to win in
1hr7min11sec from Martelletti (1:10.01), who used his 2hr16min
marathon strength to ease past Jackson (1:10.46).
Next in line were four members of Tonbridge AC in close order.
Steve Fennell (1:11.33) was followed by Julian Rendall (1:11.53),
Dan Bradley (1:12.42) and Tom Fewster (1:12.56).
The occasion was marked by the race being started by John Smith,
Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, accompanied by club members Graham Brooks
and 74-year-old Eric Schofield, who both ran in the inaugural
race.
Also present were Paralympic footballers Darren Harris
and Alistair Patrick-Heselton and Olympic judo representative Kelly
Edwards as ambassadors for the Dame Kelly Holmes’ Legacy
Trust. More than £85,000 has been donated to charities
over the past five years from the proceeds of this race.
26/02/13
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