23rd Fun Run attracts nearly 700 entries
A fine sunny day attracted a large field of runners to Tendring Technology College's 23rd fun run on Sunday.
Altogether 687 runners took part in the three races, most popular being the two-mile event with 383 entrants.
In the five-mile event, there were 145 runners, and the half-marathon (13.1 miles) attracted 159 entrants.
Unfortunately, owing to a marshalling error, some of the half-marathon runners were directed the wrong way at the 11-mile point.
Kay Chapman, chairman of Tendring College Association, said: "Fortunately, the leading runners following the lead car went the right way, so we were able to award the main trophy. However, in fairness to those who were misdirected, we cannot announce all category winners. The mistake was rectified in time for the majority of runners to complete the correct course. To those who were misdirected, we are very sorry and we have offered entry fee refunds to them."
The three races were all started by Frinton and Walton's new Mayor, Councillor Robert Bucke, at his first public engagement. Also at the start was outgoing mayor Terry Allen, whose company Elec2000 again generously sponsored the event.
For spectators, the field was busy with a variety of stalls and games, many of which were run by the college's Young Enterprise group.
Out on the course, College Council members were kept busy running one of the water stations, and others were manned by Guides, Scouts, Sea Cadets and St John Ambulance members.
Linda Hills, TCA treasurer, reports a profit in the region of £2,500, all of which will help the college. The TCA recently gave £10,000 to equip the new library at the Frinton site.
WINNERS
Half-marathon: Overall winner: Colin Rothwell; Under 18, James Bristow, Lucy Noble; 18-40, Scott Tilson; super veteran, Colin Rothwell.
5-MILE: Overall winner, Sam Matthews; Super veterans: Jim Slater, Sally Cable; Veterans, Simon Wadey, Sarah Russell; 18-40, Sam Matthews, Andrea Collitt; Under 18, Felix Green, Samantha Redgrave; Under 12, Josh Bowler.
2 MILE: 1 Steven Seward, 2 Tom Brand, 3 Patrick Foster; primary school team, Hamford.
TTC students: Half Marathon, James Bristow, Lucy Noble; Five-mile: Frinton campus, Adam Hellard, Samantha Redgrave; Thorpe campus, Josh Stannett, Chernise Parsley.
Mike Chaplin
TCA
