On Sunday, three members of Newport & District Running Club made the short trip to Stafford to compete in the town’s annual Half Marathon. Starting and finishing on the Victoria Road bridge over the river Sow, runners complete an anti-clockwise lap of the county town, taking in the neighbourhoods of Highfields, Weeping Cross, Beaconside, Holmcroft and Castletown. The route contains over 130 metres of climbing, and this year almost 1,800 runners took to the streets to test themselves.

Jonathan Pierce at the Stafford Half Marathon

Jonathan Pierce was the first Novaportan runner back, completing the course in 1 hour, 36 minutes, 46 seconds to finish 280th overall, and second in his age category. Phil Dolding finished 392nd with a time of 1:40:26, whilst Verity Dodd was 971st with her time of 1:57:28. Jonathan said of the race: “It was perfect running weather, and a well-run race as usual. The route was improved: no more running through the back streets near the end. Banana included!”

Jonathan with the included banana!