More than 900 runners took part in the Clarendon Marathon, on October 2, in glorious sunshine after heavy rain was forecast before the race.

Runners tackled the gruelling 26.2-mile cross-country course along the Clarendon Way from Salisbury to Winchester cheered on by volunteer marshals who lined the cross-country route to offer water, snacks or just encouragement.

Overall winner was Edwin Dixon, who completed the marathon in three hours, three minutes and 53 seconds, followed by Max Jenkins four seconds later while Tom Gray dug in deep to finish third in 3:09:45.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Tom, the fifth generation of his family to farm in Wonston, was cheered over the finishing line at Kings’ School by his wife Clare and the couple’s three children Rose, Theo and Toby, aged seven to three. Tom said: “The first 15 miles were fine but inevitably it started to feel tougher. The scenery was amazing.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Mayor of Winchester Cllr Derek Green, who congratulated runners at they crossed the finishing line, said: “I am so pleased the weather turned out well for them.”

Meanwhile Neil Jennings, of Romsey Road Runners, won the half marathon in 1:27: 47. Emily Trumpelmann, from Lordshill Road Runners,  was the fastest female in the marathon (3:28:42) and Simone Paulson, Winchester and District Athletics Club (WDAC), in the half-marathon.

Hampshire Chronicle:

 “The Clarendon Marathon always has a fabulous, atmosphere and the marshals are amazing. Hats off to them,” said Jane Gandee, a member of aptly named Queens of the Mountain, from WDAC, fastest all-female team in the marathon relay race. Meanwhile ‘Molly’s Boys’, from Romsey, picked up the trophy for the fastest all-male team for the third year running.

Among those taking part was Jim Whitmarsh, from Hedge End, who celebrated completing his 315th marathon in just under six hours.  The Eastleigh Running Club member has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) and other charities since his 10-month-old nephew suffered a cot death in 1998.  Now - 24-years later – he decided to make Clarendon his final marathon.  But Jim, 62, has no plans to hang up his running shoes. “I will just scale down and participate in shorter events,” he said.

The Clarendon Marathon, now in its 24th year, is organised by the Rotary Clubs at Salisbury, Sarum and Winchester. 

Deborah Macartney, president of Winchester Rotary, said: “The Clarendon Marathon is a major fundraiser for Rotary and the money raised will help a wide range of projects.”

This year’s worthy causes include: Women’s Services Freedom programme for victims of domestic abuse, run by Trinity Winchester; Children’s Cancer Services; the Great Lakes Peace Centre in Uganda and Ukrainian refugees. Many runners also raised money for their own chosen charities.