Hillingdon 10km and Half Marathon – Sunday 25th February
With the Beast from the East set to roll in bringing sub-zero temperatures, the Hounds of Hillingdon AC gathered together to set off on the chilly Hillingdon 10km and Half Marathon on Sunday 25th February, reports Zoe Dobbs, aka for this post – Mutley.
Heading the pack like a greyhound out of the starting gates, Ed Dyer set the pace and despite being led astray by the pacemakers around the grounds of Brunel University, he won the race in super speedy time of 1:15:59.
There’s life in the old dog yet as Stuart Arundel was next across the line for Hillingdon AC in a time of 1:37:42, coming 6th in the over 50s age category.
As always looking like the best in show, the whippet-like Alex Longton scooted round in 1:42:30 dragging round Zoe Dobbs doing her best impression of an Afghan Hound.
The rest of the pack were not far behind with an injured Andy Wood putting in a gutsy performance at 1:41:49 and Louisa Gawn and Bryony Lycett-Brown completing their first Hillingdon Half in 1:52:41 and 1:53:14 respectively.
Stuart Nisbett came in just over 2 hours and the highland terrier John Hughes was delighted to come in at 2:03:23 chased down by Taj Randhawa in 2:08:56. The Duncan Dachunds trotted round in 2:34 and last but not least for the HAC pack, Krishna Chapman in just under 3 hours.
The sprint distance of 10k saw Mohamed Mohamed once again win in a time of 32:41 closely followed by Fahad Abdi in third place with a time of 35:09.
Andy Torrance was third in the M60 category with a time of 52:45. Boo Smith was first in the W50 category in a time of 49:33, followed by Maria Vergara in just over the hour mark, Heidi Smith looking very clean after her cross country antics in just over the hour and Lisa Nisbett in 1:18.
Hillingdon Half isn’t known for its picturesque scenery as you charge through the streets of Cowley and West Drayton, but what the route lacks in views it makes up for with the home grown marshals who spur you on. Thanks to all the HAC crew who stood out in the cold to point us in the right direction, hand out water and keep us safe.