MORE than 2,000 runners lined up at the start on the closed motorway of the ‘old’ Severn Bridge, for the Severn Bridge Half Marathon on Sunday 28th August.

This is the third year the event has run, and in terms of race organisation and positive feedback from the competitors, it was its most successful.

The leading three men were Phil Matthews from Swansea Harriers, James Rodgers from North Somerset Athletic Club, and Mark Jennings from Mick Morris Racing Team.

The first three ladies home were Chepstow’s Kath Matthews, Katie Lea, and Sophie Walton from Great Western Runners.

All the winners received cash prizes and beautiful hand crafted wooden trophies, featuring the bridge. Up and Running generously provided the veteran’s prizes, and veteran winners also received an engraved tankard.

Every runner finishing the race received a medal, a technical t-shirt and a goody bag with various food items and a drink. There were many exhausted but elated expressions on the faces on those crossing the finish line after 13.1 miles of solid effort.

The course was altered this year, with competitors running the full length of the ‘old’ Severn Bridge, then heading through the toll booth plaza to gain the Old Passage road.

There and back along this the runners enjoyed superb views of both Severn Bridges. On the way back over the bridge the competitors ran on the access-way at the side.

A short twisty section at the back of Bulwark preceded a descent along Dark Lane into Mathern. The Mathern residents were superb and turned out in force to cheer the runners on, providing very welcome and vocal support.

The course then headed back up Dark Lane, the hill providing a real challenge for tired legs. Once at the top the runners were rewarded with a nice gentle descent of around a mile to the underpass, and soon after the finish in the event village.

Many runners reported really enjoying the race, and appreciated the signs dotted around the course with comments to divert them from the pain of running, such as “You are not nearly there”.

The competitors found the race tougher than the previous year, but many said they had preferred the course, particularly the excellent crowd support by the villagers in Mathern.The plan next year is to run a full marathon across both Severn bridges.

Race organiser Paul Dodd said: “I am delighted with how well the event went. There has been a great deal of hard work put in by our superb marshals and helpers, from Chepstow Harriers, and our charity partners, St. David’s Hospice Care and Winston’s Wish.

“Tesco helped with bagging up the goody bags and providing bananas. Basepoint generously sponsored the event for the third year running, and Up and Running provided the prizes.

“We are indebted to all of them because without them the event simply could not have taken place, and they have truly made it the success it is. It is also extremely heartening to see the runners achieving their aims, whether that’s just to get round, to break their personal best time or win the race.”