Essar Four Villages Half Marathon

Gavin Bayne in action at the Essar Four Villages Half Marathon

Leading veteran Gavin Bayne achieved his goal of selection for the England Athletics Masters’ half marathon team
when completing the Essar Four Villages Half Marathon in Cheshire on Sunday 19th January 2019.

A popular road race on rural roads around Helsby, the race is in its 37th year and was voted Best Half Marathon in the North in this year's Challenge Awards, and was chosen as a qualifying race for England Masters.

Picking up in the fine form in which he had finished the year but in foggy conditions Gavin himself described as ‘bloody freezing’, and over quite a hilly course that involves nearly 100m of climbing, he ran a time of 1hour 26 minutes 43 seconds and placed 4th in the Over 60 category (although he in fact turns 65 later in the year).

His time qualifies him for the Fleet half-marathon in March, which incorporates the England vs Celtic nations race.
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Also taking part in the race was Michelle Thompson, who ran a time of 1:29:23 and was 8th female Over 35.