Worksop Hallowe’en Half Marathon 2017

Worksop Hallowe’en Half Marathon,

Sunday, 29 October, 2017.

Sunday saw the 36th staging of the Worksop Hallowe’en Half Marathon, an event which attracted a handful of Pumas. Running under the Northowram umbrella were Alison Shooter and Sharon Wilson, whilst Paul and Jenny Hopkinson ran wearing the colours of Halifax Harriers. Registered to run but having to opt out was Laura Fairbank; seemingly she had succumbed to Halifax’s own version of Montezuma’s Revenge, but we’ll spare you the details.

Also known as ‘the scenic one’, the Worksop Half Marathon takes place on the last Sunday in October every year, hence the Hallowe’en theme. It attracts a large number of entrants, and, indeed, there were 2,482 willing participants lined up at the start this year. Some really entered into the spirit (geddit?) of things and donned ghoulish outfits and scary masks.

Foil blankets are usually given out to runners once they’ve finished the race. But it was cold enough at Worksop for Alison to feel the need to wrap one around her before she set off. Still, this counts as a pre-race selfie.

The route touches the edge of Worksop but also takes in Clumber Park, so the scenery is a sight to behold – if you’ve time or the energy to take it in. Setting off from Outwood Portland Academy, the course rises to 310 feet over the first mile and a half, heading southwards along Ollerton Road for several miles, turning left into Lime Tree Avenue before taking a scenic detour through the trees around Clumber Park itself, with the glorious lake in view. The route then continues northwards then veers off onto country lanes, taking in Clumber Lane, swinging right at Truman’s Lodge into Clumber Road before making a sharp left turn into Old Coach Road, a route that is shadowed by trees. There then follows a loop around Worksop College before the course picks up Ollerton Road, and a devilish climb as it heads back towards the finish at Outwood Portland Academy. Photographs of the route would make a nice postcard scene, but they disguise the inclines. The total elevation was 667 feet and Alison Shooter’s described the course as “undulating”.

Mind, the prizes on offer were not to be sniffed at. The overall winner walked away with £80 plus a pair of local retailer Hoka One One running shoes, whilst second and third place also received a pair of trainers and £60 and £40 respectively. Fourth place got you £40 and a Trespass Cancan Running Belt. There were also cash prizes for each age group winner, male and female.

The race was scheduled for a 10.00am start but mounting problems in areas such as lack of parking meant there was a delay. Which was something of an inconvenience for those who’d got there on time. It wasn’t exactly a warm morning. So cold, in fact, that Alison felt compelled to don a foil blanket before they set off! Still, the Worksop Salvation Army kept everyone entertained as it played continuously for an hour and a half, though in light of what lay ahead of the runners, this drew comparisons with the band that ‘played on’ while the Titanic sank.

Alison’s already digging in as the runners tackle the first of several inclines (hills).

Eventually, the runners were sent on their way, meaning for Sharon Wilson a second half marathon in the space of a fortnight, having taken part in the event at Manchester fourteen days earlier. She completed that in 2:08:26; here, on a tougher course, she bettered that time, finishing in an impressive 2:04:16. Of the race, Sharon said, “I quite enjoyed it as it was testing in places with a few inclines. Scenery was nice too and the support was great.”

I’m not sure if Alison enjoyed the run quite as much, if her post-race comments are anything to go by. Looking at her medal, she reckoned it matched her race experience – ugly! She finished in 2:18:05, then immediately turned her attentions to this Sunday’s Abbey Dash.

Paul and Jenny Hopkinson love each other’s company so much that they ran the full thirteen and a bit miles together. Paul finished two seconds in front of Jenny, clocking 1:41:39. Walking away with eighty quid in his pocket and a spanking brand new pair of running shoes was race winner Stuart Spencer of Notts Athletic Club. Hope they fit him.

Two half marathons in fourteen days. Make no wonder Sharon Wilson looks pleased with herself.

Pumas’ positions and chip times;

518 Paul Hopkinson 1:41:39

519 Jenny Hopkinson 1:41:41

1,524 Sharon Wilson 2:04:16

2,020 Alison Shooter 2:18:05

“That’s what you get for all your troubles.”

One thought on “Worksop Hallowe’en Half Marathon 2017”

  1. Actually I (Paul) lost sight of Jenny at the first incline (about 400m into the race☹️) but imagine my surprise to see her about 50m away at mile 10. Well, I had to pace her to a HM pb. Phew, 2 secs was a bit close

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