Ealing was buzzing over the weekend, with runners, supporters, residents, and volunteers celebrating the 11th year of the Ealing Half Marathon on the streets of the borough – which also included the popular Ealing Mini Mile on Saturday. The Ealing Half Marathon had been eagerly awaited, with over 4,000 runners signed up.
Sunday morning (24th September) saw light clouds and perfect warm temperatures as the runners were lining up on the start line. Official starter Aimee Fuller, a two-time Olympic snowboarder, broadcaster and podcast host of Monday Mile, sent the runners on their way at 9am before joining the running crowd.
Elias Ahmed (Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC), back to claim the top podium position, took the Ealing Half title in a time of 01:10:32 after pulling away from runner up Nicolas Besson (Serpentine RC) who finished in 01:12:50. Dominic Kiralyfi (Hercules Wimbedon AC) our returning champion took third place in 01:11:04.
Melissah Gibson (Ealing Eagles RC) was the fastest in the women’s field and took the title in 01:17:57, ahead of Alice Braham (Ealing Eagles RC) who finished in 01:21:34. Karima Harris (Queens Park Harriers) came third after crossing the finish line in 01:24:45.
The single lap 13.1 mile course started and finished in Walpole Park and took in parts of Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens.
The top three men and women were awarded with cash prizes and wonderful goodies from official retail partner, Runners Need, and all age group winners as well as the fastest Ealing residents and the best fancy dress received Runners Need prizes also.
Runners from 92 different running clubs were taking part, including over 305 members from the Ealing Eagles Running Club. Many runners could also be seen in charity vests, raising valuable funds for lots of different charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Meadow House Hospice.
Ealing Mini Mile took place in Lammas Park from 11am on Saturday 23rd September, with the biggest ever field of young runners signed up and a total of ten races across the various age categories. This year’s finisher‘s t-shirt featured a designed by Lilly from the Grange Primary School in Ealing.
The winners of the 2023 Ealing Mini Mile in the different age categories were:
Jeishal Vijayarajah (Rob Willin Memorial Mile); Adam Arid (Family Mini Mile 1); Emma Sharrocks (Family Mini Mile 2); Oliver White and Willow Ford (6 year olds); Mack Thomas Eska Harris (7 year olds); Josh Heath and Jessica Lennon (8 year olds); Edward Polubyukhov (9 year olds); Ben Muralidhar and Alexia Gaudin (10 year olds); Josh Phillips and Violet Muralidhar (11 year olds); Edward Flewitt and Natasha Bennett (12-16 year olds).
Sandra Courtney, Race Director, said, “The 11th year celebration of the Ealing Half Marathon has been a huge success, and the new finish in Walpole Park was so well received. We would like to congratulate everyone who took part, and thank all our runners, volunteers, team, sponsors, partners, charities, and residents for their ongoing support. Ealing Half Marathon is a race for the benefit of the community, and we couldn’t do it without the support of everyone involved and all the runners signing up year after year. See you again next autumn!”
The 12th year race will be taking place on Sunday 29th September 2024 and entries are now open. Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further details and results.
