Still Time to Enter Henley Half Marathon
The Henley Half Marathon is in its 31st year, having been started by the local supporters of RNLI as a means of raising funds. About 10 years ago the Rotary Club of Henley Bridge was asked to take over the organisation and this arrangement has continued and will do for the future.
In addition to the half marathon there is now a 10k event for those who are unsure about the challenge of 13 plus miles!
The event takes place on the second Sunday in October, this year on the 13 October, starting and finishing at Dry Leas, the home of Henley Hawks Rugby Club. Races will start at 9.30 am.
Numbers have increased over the years, with many regulars, and the organisers are expecting a combined turnout in excess of 2000. At the moment they are still accepting entries either online or by post. Visit the website, www.henleyhalfmarathon.org.uk for more information including maps of the course.
The courses take runners through the town and over Henley Bridge into the country with a return along the towpath back over the bridge and along Marlow Road. The second loop of the half marathon then takes runners up the challenging “heartbreak hill” to Fawley, down again to the Assendens and returns along the Fairmile to the Rugby Club. The 10k course comprises this second loop including the hill! Peter Wilkinson, the race organiser said, “The feedback we get from many of the runners is how attractive the course is.”
Both races are chip timed, each runner gets a medal and a goody bag. Local physio practices help out at the finish to get bodies back into shape and the Rugby Club cafe and bar are open for refreshments. Some car parking for competitors only is available on HRR land opposite Swiss Farm.
After costs all the surplus funds are donated to a wide range of Rotary and local charities and many runners use this event to obtain individual sponsorship for their own good causes.
The event is sponsored by Invesco Perpetual and Lidl
