Great and the good in Fylde coast half-marathon spectacular

The February weather was unusually mild for the 29th running of the Great North West Half-Marathon on the Blackpool sea front.
The Great North West Half-marathonThe Great North West Half-marathon
The Great North West Half-marathon

The February weather was unusually mild for the 29th running of the Great North West Half-Marathon on the Blackpool sea front.

Hundreds lined the walkways and witnessed a mass start as the Mayor of Blackpool, Coun Ian Coleman, set the 1,200 runners on their way for the two-lap race between the North Pier and Little Bispham.

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A trio of runners quickly hit the front and shared the lead until the eight-mile mark, when Paul Fauset of Dark Peak Fell Runners pulled clear to win in a highly respectable 74mins, 37secs.

Chris Huggett on Royal Navy AC took second spot in 75.04, holding off third-placed Sale Harrier Nick Barry (75.10) in a sprint to the line.

The ladies’ race was won comfortably by Rotherham Harriers’ Hayley Carruthers in 79. 13 (15th overall), with Leeds Roundhay Runner Susan Lewis second (86.54) and Stone Masters Marathoners Anna Hollingworth third (87.57).

There was a top-10 finish for Wesham Road Runners’ Ugis Datavs with 78.56 (ninth).

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First veterans were Andy Haney of Chorlton Runners (77.29) and Lynne Robinson of Queensbury Running Club (78.53).

The event was organised by Fylde Coast Runners, who would like to thank over 60 volunteers, marshals and stewards, as well as Remote Medical Services and Blackpool Borough Council.

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