More than one hundred contestants took part in the 11th annual Long Wittenham Fun Run along paths and bridleways in and around the village on Sunday, raising money for the village Pre-school and the appeal to restore the six bells at the 12th century church of St Mary’s.
The winner of the event was Army warrant officer David Branfoot who is based at Didcot. He ran the 5k route (3.1miles) in 18 minutes and 15 seconds. In secondplace was Royston Oxendale from Wantage in 19.10 and third over the line was Tim Perkins from Long Wittenham in 19.28.
First home in the women’s event was Rebecca Bolton in 22.56, closely followed by 9 year old Helen Krabben (23.09) and Julia Pennington (25.05). Course records were set by Helen Krabben (Under 12 Girls), Julia Pennington (Women over 50) and Connor Morgan, who smashed the under 12 boys record in 19.30
Other winners: Boys under eight, Matthew O’Donnell; Boys under 18, Matthew Quartermain; Girls under eight, Myka Morgan; Girls under 18. Alisha Williams; Men over 50, Adrian Evans. The youngest contestant was four-and-a-half-year-old Matthew O’Donnell.
The award to the most successful male village contestant went to Tim Perkins, and Suzy Bowtell took the prize in the local women’s category. The Parish Council Family Shield was awarded to the Morgan family: father David, Connor (11), Spencer (9) and Myka aged seven.
After the race there was a barbeque in the garden of The Plough Inn, and awards were presented by event organisers Tom and Prew Bowtell, with help from Emma Newman, who was in charge of the public address.
Prew Bowtell said: “It was a splendid turn out from villagers and people visiting. It goes to show how people are so supportive of community events in Long Wittenham. Our thanks go to all those people who helped including race administration, the many marshals around the course, and The Plough for allowing the use of the garden. We hope the event will have raised lots of money for the pre-school and Bells appeal.”
The Fun Run has a long history stretching back to the early 1980s when it was organised by Long Wittenham Athletics Club.
The full list of results is here (Long Wittenham runners in yellow).