Remember the first run? (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Remember the first run?

11:35am Tuesday 24th August 2010 in

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BASINGSTOKE will be putting its best foot forward when the town hosts a half-marathon in October next year.

It will not have been the first time the town has held such an event. Back in 1995, 458 people put on their running shoes to take part in the first IBM Half-Marathon.

The event, which took place on Sunday, June 11, was described as an historic event for the town and it was hailed a success, which must have come as a relief to its organiser, local stalwart Bill Henderson.

First across the finishing line at the then Harriet Costello School, at Crossborough Hill, was Henry Mountcastle of Hastings Athletic Club, who completed the run in an impressive one hour, 8 minutes and 53 seconds.

The fastest local runner was Kevin Courtney, from Tadley Road Runners, who came in fifth, taking an hour, 11 mins and 43 secs.

Lesley Leggett, from Herne Hill Harriers was the first woman to cross the finishing line, clocking up one hour, 25 mins and 18 secs, while the fastest local woman was Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club’s Kathryn Bishop, who completed the gruelling run in one hour, 36 mins, 43 secs.

But perhaps the biggest winner of the day was the local branch of Save The Children. Fifteen years ago, the charity was marking its 75th anniversary.

The IBM Half-Marathon – which was sponsored by the international computer giant, a major employer in the town centre at the time – boosted the charity’s fundraising year, during which more than £22,000 was raised locally.

However, the inaugural event was not without its problems as it turned out that the route was a quarter-of-a-mile short of the official distance.

This was put down to runners being twice misdirected near the start of the run, along the cycleway by the boating lake in Eastrop Park and at Goat Lane. At the time, organiser Bill said he could have done with a few more race marshals.

In a report published in The Gazette, following the race, Bill said: “We had a problem with marshals. We had to draw on staff at IBM, most of whom had no experience, and they lacked the authority to control some 450 runners.”

Despite this problem, the event was deemed an overall success, and the race was held over the following few years.

Next year’s event, being organised by Destination Basingstoke – which is aiming to help boost the town’s profile and image – looks set to be a much bigger half-marathon, attracting up to 1,500 runners.

All being well, the half-marathon’s route through the town centre is expected to be announced this October.

The 2011 run has already won the backing of Old Basing-based runner and Basingstoke Ambassador Robert Tobin.

The 26-year-old, who won a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the European Championships last month, said: “It’s a good idea and it will get people to come to visit the town from a long way away.

“A lot of people run the Reading and Fleet half-marathons and I don’t see why Basingstoke can’t be better than both of them.”

Felicity Edwards, managing director of Destination Basingstoke, said: “I think this event really does have the potential to put Basingstoke on the map.

“We are hoping the route will be finalised in the next few weeks. We will want to showcase the town and the beautiful countryside around it.”