Eleven PBs and a Podium Finish at Gosport Half Marathon
Alton Runners put in a brilliant team performance at the 40th anniversary of the Gosport Half Marathon on Sunday 16th November, with a stunning eleven club members recording Personal Best times on the famously fast course.
The Gosport Half Marathon, a key fixture in the Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL), marked the fourth event of the 2025/26 season. The HRRL is a friendly but competitive club league for road runners in and around Hampshire, with 36 clubs taking part—including Alton Runners.
With the race selling out well in advance to celebrate its milestone 40th anniversary, 1668 runners lined up on what proved to be a fresh but dry morning. 22 Alton Runners proudly represented the club.
Runners set out on the scenic two-lap course, which features a glorious stretch along the Lee-on-the-Solent promenade, offering far-reaching coastal views of the Isle of Wight. They were supported by incredibly encouraging marshals and the lifting sound of a samba drum band.
The flat, fast nature of the Gosport course once again proved its PB potential for the Alton contingent. A remarkable 11 Alton Runners achieved personal best times for the half marathon distance, including Rich Webley, Steve Drysdale, Rachel Walsh, Benny Roddis, Samara Kelleher-Jacobs, Darren Garfoot, Patrick Tuite, Jonathan Roles, Maria Roddis, Jane Law and Lydia Andrews.
Rich Webley was the first Alton Runner across the line, finishing an excellent 27th overall in a fantastic time of 01:18:01. Richard was understandably chuffed with his result, saying, “I was chuffed to get a half PB today, and 5 minutes faster than last time I raced Gosport. It made a change to not be battling a huge headwind!”
In the women's field, Rachel Walsh had an outstanding run, winning her age category (Senior Women) and finishing an incredible 2nd female overall with a gun time of 01:25:14. Laura De Lisle also secured the top spot in her category, finishing as the fastest V35 female in 01:29:55.
The team spirit was high, as noted by Steve Drysdale: “There was a fantastic level of support out on the course, definitely the best in the HRRL. That definitely helped me dig deep for a PB today. Well done to everyone who ran today. Looks like loads of PBs – a great team performance.” Nicola Fitzpatrick added that she “loved seeing Alton Runners across the route,” a sentiment echoed by Andrew Lowton, who found it “good to see, hear and encourage other Alton Runners on the circular course.”
All finishers received a special 40th anniversary commemorative medal and a goodie bag packed with snacks—plus a rather unique addition of a Rubik's cube!
The focus now shifts to the next HRRL fixture, the shorter Victory 5 event in Portsmouth on 7th December. 35 Alton Runners are already signed up to represent the town and club on this traditionally chilly but flat 5-miler.