Anuradha Cooray’s impressive season continues. Just two weeks after a great personal best in the London Marathon, last weekend he took part in the Hackney Half Marathon where yet again records were set. In a repeat of the 2014 race, Anuradha finished in 3rd place behind two Kenyan athletes. His time of 64:45 is a personal best; a Club Record and a new Sri Lankan National Record. Anuradha said afterwards “It’s a happy day and it is another record just two weeks after London! I feel great!”
The winner was Mathew Kimutai with a time of 63:21 closely followed by Sammy Nakoye in 63:26. Anuradha was more than 2m 30s ahead of the 4th placed athlete.
Over 10,000 runners completed the course which gives a rare chance to run through the streets of Hackney passing the famous Hackney Empire and following the footsteps of legends through the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Amongst those runners were four more Vale athletes. Richard Bazeley and Will Tuckett, who both completed the London Marathon, ran as pacemakers for the Card sisters, Rachel, Jo and Louise who now runs for Andover. Rachel finished in 1:46:50; Jo in 1:46:54 and Louise in 1:52:55. The boys enjoyed the course both finishing in 2:14:58.