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Clifton Half Marathon

The Clifton Half Marathon took place on Tuesday 6 May - the College's annual event to raise money for Opportunity International. On the hottest day of the year so far, 21 members of the College - 17 pupils, 4 staff and Oliver Moody (SH), OC and founder of the race, set off in high spirits.

The enthusiastic runners had been training for some weeks under the watchful eye of Mr Simon Tait and James Couzens (SH). The run started from Memorial Arch, skirted the edge of Clifton village and across the beautiful Suspension Bridge, then on to Pill along tow and cycle paths - to be met near the Penny Brohn Cancer Sanctuary by the marshals with water bottles, at what was the halfway point. The jolly runners were ably assisted, guided and paced by the fanatical mountain biking staff duo, Mr Martin Williams and Mr Clive Jones.

John Boyle (WaH), the favourite to win, missed first place last year by getting lost in Blaise Castle Estate. John arrived breathlessly in Pill, ran around the roundabout discussing the race, and then disappeared with his bottled water and arrived back in first place at Memorial Arch in 1hr 38 minutes, swiftly pursued by Caspian James (MH).

Although most competitors arrived in Pill within one hour, the home journey was a gruelling prospect with the steep ascent of Nightingale Valley - the scene of many a "Night Op" and Terrier activity. Sure enough though, the bobbing bunny rabbits, stunning scenery and beautiful weather kept the enthusiasm and the pace.

The first girl home was Annabel Hockey-Smith, keen to keep her fitness level high for her re-selection on the England Under 21 hockey team. All runners arrived back to the finishing point on The Close by the statue of Haig - to cheering and clapping by the cricketers, frisbee-players, sunbathers and social gatherers alike.

An excellent afternoon, with two late runners who started late following a hard afternoon of rowing practice on the river, deciding to run the half-marathon for the fun of it!

Congratulations to everyone, for many a personal test of fitness and yet again raising money for Clifton's major long term International charity project, Opportunity International.

13 May 2008

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