BREEZY conditions did not make it easy for competitors in the Two Castles Run on Sunday.
The 35th Two Castles Run, organised by Kenilworth Rotary Club and the Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club, had a full entry of 4,000 runners, providing Kenilworth’s biggest sporting spectacle and living up to its traditional reputation as one of the best 10k runs in the country.
The race, sponsored once again by Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins, raised more than £100,000 for charity.
Competitors gathered within the walls of Warwick Castle and were sent on their way by Warwick mayor Stephen Cross at exactly 9am.
Some 32 minutes 25 seconds later the winner, Alistair Smith from Coventry Godiva Harriers, crossed the finish line at Kenilworth Castle, followed by Peter Brook, some three seconds behind, in second place, and last year’s winner Patrick Roddy in third.
The first woman home was Kent Athletics Club’s Amy Clements, with a time of 36 minutes 47 seconds. She was followed in second place by Joanne Male from West End Runners, with Martha Lloyd from Oxford City running club third.
Kenilworth Runners won both the men’s and women’s team prizes and the mixed team prize went to Team Warwick University.
The oldest woman competitor, 77 year-old Sara Slevin, who has been running for 36 years, including 27 marathons and more than 50 half marathons, again completed the course.
Rotary press officer Bob Kelly said: “The Two Castles is one of the best-loved athletic events in the Midlands and is both for serious runners and for those who run for sheer enjoyment, or for charity.
“Each year it grows in popularity and attracts entries from all the country. As always, our priority is to have a safe, injury-free event and today we have again achieved that, together with raising £100,000 for charity.”
David Lester, joint senior partner of sponsors Blythe Liggins Solicitors, who also provided a water station and marshals, said it was great to be involved once again.
He added: “We had 30 runners from Blythe Liggins taking part this year, each one finished, some with ‘personal bests’, and everyone really appreciated the atmosphere on the day.”
Visit www.twocastlesrun.org.uk for the full results.
