Thousands put their best foot forward at this year’s New Forest Marathon

OVER 3,000 runners took part in a variety of distance races at this year's New Forest Marathon – the nation's favourite marathon – with races commencing from New Park in Brockenhurst.

Runners of all ages and abilities raced in either a marathon, half marathon, 10k, or 5k on courses that wound through the heart of the New Forest.

There was also a Woodland Walk and junior races at 1k, and 400m races for young children.

In May this year, SportsShoes.com announced that the New Forest Marathon had topped the UK search list with 27 people per place vying for a spot, beating even the London Marathon and coming eighth in the world.

While the event offers many a chance to raise money for charity or tick endurance challenges off their bucket lists, the event is, at its heart, a race.

Crossing the line first in the marathon was Adam Holland, who, in a time of 02:32:09, beat Bournemouth AC’s Stuart Nicholas by over nine minutes, with Ben Taylor in third.

The female marathon winner was Johanna O’Regan, who came seventh overall in 2:56:59, pipping second-placed Debbie Coe and third-placed Sally Hall.

Dave Healey from Lordshill Road Runners crossed the line first in the half marathon with a time of 1:14:03, over three minutes ahead of James Ethell and George Watling.

At 1:21:17, Roelien Parker took the women’s half marathon honours, beating Rozzie Batchelar and Louise Razack.

Diane Wildbur flew around the 10k course in 31:20, winning the overall race and the women’s, three minutes faster than the men’s winner, Rob McTaggart.

While in the 5k, Thomas Evans, in 16:46, won the race, with Katharina Hoppe (20:24) leading the women’s race home.

The highest-placed local runners in the marathon were Totton RC’s Trevor Hillier (3:24:10), Hardley Runners’ Samuel Messer (3:43:23), and New Forest Runners’ Mark Sampson (3:48:51).

Meanwhile, in the half marathon, the local honours went to Todd Pinhorne (1:35:47) from New Milton-based Lonely Goats RC, followed by Christchurch Runners’ James Kemmitt (1:43:10).

The event was founded in 1981 when the Lions Club of New Milton required fundraising ideas. Then-president Mick Manley suggested organising a marathon in the New Forest, and the inaugural marathon took place two years later.

Full results are available at newforestmarathon.co.uk

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