Kenyan runners top podium at Hackney’s first half marathon

Winner: Peter Emase winning the men’s race at Run Hackney. Photograph: © Fiona Hanson

Thousands of people lined the streets of Hackney yesterday to wave flags and cheer as over 12,500 runners took to the streets for the borough’s inaugural half marathon.

Passing local landmarks such as Hackney Empire, Broadway Market and the Queen Elizabeth Park, the closed road course of Vitality’s Run Hackney half marathon, initiated by Hackney Council to “keep the Olympic Spirit alive” delivered impressive results.

Run Hackney half marathon. Photograph: Vitality Run Hackney

Kenyan runners Peter Emase and Gladys Yator from the appropriately named Team Run Fast came first in the men’s and women’s races with impressive times of 01:04:19 and 01:15:30 respectively.

In the men’s race all the top three finishers were from Team Run Fast. Race favourite Boniface Kongin came second and two-time Sri Lankan Olympian Andradha Cooray came in third place.

In the women’s race Yator was closely followed by British ladies Katy Webster and Bel Levene, who took second and third place respectively, with times of 01:20:05 and 01:22:58.

The wheelchair races were won by Ashley Archer in the men’s event in a time of 00:59:40, and Susan Cook in the women’s, with a time of 1:19:54.

Mayor Jules Pipe with top finishers: from left to right, wheelchair Mens’ race winner Ashley Archer, Mens’ race winner Peter Emase, Bel Levene, third in the Women’s race, Boniface Kongin, second in the Mens’ race, Gladys Yator, Womens’ race winner, Anuradha Cooray from Sri Lanka, third in the Mens’ race, Katie Webster, second in the Womens’ race and Women’s Wheelchair race winner, Susan Cook. Photograph: © Fiona Hanson

The hot weather brought the local community out onto the streets with many runners expressing their gratitude for the support. A newsagent on Queensbridge road began handing out water, whilst an impromptu steel drum band in Lower Clapton road provided an upbeat soundtrack for the race.

One resident of Cadogan Terrace proved very popular for using his garden hose to cool down runners as they passed by his house.

Hot work: runners help each other across the finish line. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

Councillor Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, who came up with the idea of holding the marathon in Hackney and took part in the race himself said:  “Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the first ever Vitality Run Hackney half marathon.

“After so many months of planning, it was great to see the runners out on our streets and the thousands of residents and visitors who lined the route to support them. There was a real buzz about the place, evoking the spirit of 2012.

“It was a brilliant showcase for Hackney, taking in some of the borough’s most iconic sites and I hope that, despite the intense heat, the runners enjoyed it as much as I did.”

Home straight: A runner sprints the last stretch of the course. Photograph: Hackney Citizen

Run Hackney Spokesperson Jon Ridgeon said: “From elites to first time runners, Vitality Run Hackney has been a fantastic start to the Vitality Run Series.

“With over twelve thousand five hundred runners registered, the spirit and support from runners and spectators alike, in hot weather conditions was inspiring. Congratulations to all this year’s runners, and we hope to see you back in Hackney next year.”

Many of the runners who took part in the race ran for charities, collectively raising thousands for their chosen causes.