Westbury runners prepare for Bath Half Marathon

AS Bath Half Marathon looms just days away, three runners from Westbury are cramming in their final practise runs and preparing for one of the biggest fundraisers in the South West.

Fiona Price, Philippa Brewer, and Keith Melford will all be gearing up to join the huge race, which saw almost 15,000 competitors descend on the city in 2014. The race is a fast, flat 13 mile course that runs a single loop through the city twice, avoiding the surrounding hills.

Philippa Brewer, of Brook Lane, plays for Westbury Netball Club and will be running the race in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Philippa said, “This will be my third half marathon, and second time running this race. Training has been tough with the freezing temperatures but not horrendous. Fitting round work, two little people and netball is the hard bit! But that just means grabbing a run in when you can, usually twice a week or so.

“I will be hoping to beat my personal best of one hour 52 minutes, and have set myself a target of an ambitious 1:50; fingers crossed!

“I’m okay with the race being close, it’s not until the day of the race that nerves usually kick in for me!

“I chose to raise for Wiltshire Air Ambulance because last March I had a suspected aneurysm, and the air ambulance was called to get me to hospital quicker. Due to the distress I was in I had to go to hospital by road, but the crew’s expertise provided necessary aid.

“Thankfully it wasn’t as serious as first thought, and even though the air ambulance didn’t transport me, they were there when I needed them.

“I set a fundraising target of £100 but have so far raised £186. I have been sponsored by people at the Westbury Netball Club, and the generosity of people has astounded me. I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far.”

Keith Melford from Leigh Park will be raising money for Parkinson’s UK, for whom he is the treasurer of the Bath & District branch. It will be his first attempt at the half marathon distance in 25 years.

Keith will celebrate his 68th birthday just a few weeks after the race, and is hoping to complete the half marathon in two hours and ten minutes.

Keith said, “Training has been restricted over Christmas and New Year due to a viral infection, but I am out running again now and I have a target time of two hours and  ten minutes, but will do my best to get under two hours.

“This is the first time I have done any fundraising on my own but have taken part in branch activities such as supermarket bucket collections. I decided it was now time to put my money (or my legs) where my mouth is.

“I have been treasurer for Parkinson’s UK for nearly two years and support my wife who was diagnosed with the condition in 2012. Any funds raised will primarily be used for the benefit of people suffering from Parkinson’s and their carers in this area.

“Whenever possible however, the branch also contributes to national funds for both Parkinson’s nurses and  research, as one day we hope to find a cure for this very debilitating illness.”

Fiona Price is a member of Avon Valley Runners and has a rapidly increasing number of records and gold medals under her belt. She will be taking part after winning the National ARC 10 mile road race in Melksham earlier this month, in which she set a personal best and an age category (V40) record with a time of 1:04.09.

Fiona said, “I’m really looking forward to the race and training has been going very well. I have run the Bath Half Marathon before and I love it. Bath is a beautiful city and we’re so lucky to have it on our doorstep.

“I came first in my age group last year with a time of 1:26.58, so I will be hoping to better that this time round! I beat my personal best in the Melksham 10 mile race, and that’s usually a good indicator of how well you’ll run.

“Unfortunately I’m not raising for charity because I’ve been racing every weekend! It’s definitely different running in such a big race; you get amazing support the whole way round and it’s a huge adrenaline rush.”

The Bath Half Marathon will be on Sunday 1st March and will start and finish on Great Pulteney Street. Entries are closed but to find out more about spectating and road closures, go to www.bathhalf.co.uk.