More than 1,000 runners – including a mankini wearer – take part in Berkhamsted Half Marathon
More than 1,000 runners took part in the 31st annual Berkhamsted Half Marathon and five-mile Fun Run yesterday, Sunday.
They included Phil Robbins, who ran the entire length of the 13.1-mile race in a revealing mankini, of the sort made famous in Sacha Baron Cohen comedy film Borat.
He described the support around the course as ‘amazing’.
He said: “Nobody will sponsor me for anything any more – I have done so many long runs.
“I have done 100 miles in a couple of weeks, so I thought just come out here and enjoy it instead.
“There was a little bit of chafing, but I did apply some Vaseline to the sensitive areas this morning, so it has not been too bad.”
Phil ran the course in 1hr 28m 07s, finishing in 62nd place.
Birmingham Running and Triathlon Club member Ed Banks won the Berkhamsted Half for the third year in a row, finishing in 1hr 12m 20s. Ed grew up in Frithsden and went to Berkhamsted School.
The 25-year-old said: “It was hard work, because I started quite quickly.
“Me and another guy were together and I pushed quite early on to get a gap, but it was just quite painful from then, because it is not an easy course.
“I have lost here before many times, but this is the third time I have won, so I am really happy.”
He was more than 3.5 minutes in front of St Albans Strider Simon Riley, who took second place. Simon finished in 1hr 16m exactly.
Hillingdon AC member Sam Blanshard came third with a time of 1hr 17m 38s. The first woman to cross the line was Kate Rennie in 1hr 24m 06s, and she came 30th overall.
Gazette reporter David O’Neill completed the Berkhamsted Half in 1hr 48m 50s, coming 440th out of 1,003 runners who finished the course.
Dacorum and Tring AC member Matthew Salt won the fun run in 26m 23s, setting a new course record. Ben Rochford came second in 27m 11s and Herts Phoenix AC member Alex Cloona came third in 29m 08s.
The first woman to finish the fun run was Dacorum and Tring AC member Catherine Davies, who came 19th overall with a time of 33m47s.
The Berkhamsted Half Marathon is organised by the Rotary Club of Berkhamsted Bulbourne and each year raises thousands for good causes in the area.
> For further video coverage of the Berkhamsted Half Marathon and Fun Run, visit www.deetv.tv
> For a full report with pictures, pick up a copy of the Gazette on Wednesday.
> Are you Mankini Phil? Ring the Gazette on 01442 898451. We would like to interview you.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 25 May 2013
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