Oldham Half Marathon Runners Conquer Hills & Heat

Hundreds of runners took part in the 2017 Oldham Half Marathon, which has been described as one of the UK’s toughest with its steep climbs and descents.

This year’s half marathon on Sunday, October 15, came on a day of unusually mild weather and featured runners tackling 1,100 ft of uphill climbs.

The run is organised by Oldham Community Leisure (OCL). Over 260 people entered, with the oldest competitor aged in their 70s, and they received great support from the community.

In the men’s category, the top results were:

1st Bruno Lima (Salford Harriers and Athletics Club), 1hr 17 minutes 10 seconds

2nd Jan Pichl (Salford Harriers and Athletics Club), 1hr 17 minutes 36 seconds

3rd Rob James (Royton Road Runners), 1hr 17 minutes 55 seconds

In the women’s category, the top results were:

1st Sophie Wood (Royton Road Runners), 1hr 32 minutes 10 seconds

2nd Cat Jessop, 1hr 33 minutes 5 seconds

3rd Gaynor Keane, 1hr 34 minutes 42 seconds

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The Oldham Half Marathon is part of a series of ‘Milltown Races’ runs and triathlons held through the year. Events over the years have included a 7k and 10k run, and a triathlon featuring running, cycling and swimming.

Sunday’s half marathon began in Oldham town centre’s High Street then headed along Yorkshire Street and Huddersfield Road before taking in Huddersfield Road, Ripponden Road, Moorside, Grains Bar, Grains Road, Delph, Ladcastle Road above Uppermill and then Greenfield.  The final stretch brought runners west through Grasscroft, Lydgate, Lees and Glodwick into Oldham town centre via Waterloo Street.

In addition to cash prizes for individual men and women runners who came in first, second and third positions, there were T-shirts and medals for all runners and Firefighters at Oldham Fire Station on Lees Road supported the event by arranging water sprinklers to keep the runners cool.

The course record remains set by Andi Jones at 1:09:52.2. Andi grew up in nearby Tameside and was formerly a teacher in Rochdale. He is well known in road, cross-country and fell running, and has represented England and Great Britain at various competitions including the Commonwealth Games.

Dates for 2018 events will be released later this year. Visit www.milltownraces.co.uk