The town of Redcar was grounded this past weekend as thousands of runners descended on the area to run the annual half marathon. Now in its 33rd year, the event which is held in the shadow of the iconic Beacon, provided local club runners with another opportunity to amend their personal bests over the 13.1 mile distance.

Sunderland Harriers had a large turnout of hungry runners all seeking the opportunity to devour their half marathon PB’s on the flat and fast course.

Before the race, athletes were worried that the infamous and generally ever-present ‘Redcar headwind’ would put to bed the idea of any PB’s, but the September sun defeated the thick morning fog and blessed us with a nice day.

The Beacon is viewed locally as a symbol of the resurgence of the area and with a number of runners achieving personal bests on the day, that very word “resurgence” can be used to describe Sunderland Harriers Athletics club. Proof of this was reflected in the weekend results both on the road and the country.

The Mayoress got the race underway and the front pack, including Elswick’s Tadele Geremew and Sunderland’s Andy Powell pulled away. By 10k it was down to the two athletes to battle it out for the honours, but the Ethiopian stepped up the pace beyond the 10 mile point and ran out winner with a time of 70.12. Andy Powell came in at 71.26 to seal second spot while Neil Aitkin of Clapham Chasers claimed third.

<b>Michael Thompson</b> claimed 1st V45 and 9th overall with his 77.07 effort while <b>Jimmy Johnson</b> embraced his epoch of fine form to claim a PB of 89.38, claiming his first sub 90 in the process, a feat that will undoubtedly be improved upon in 2016. <b>Judith Thirlwell</b> finished 12th in the ladies race in 94.11.