Strong TVH show at Reading and Paddock Wood Half Marathons

As the fog burnt off to reveal a bright and breezy spring morning in Reading, over 10,000 runners filled their time group starting pens.

Six Valley men were among the throng running through the crowd lined streets of Reading into a road course on the flatter side of undulating. Chris Thomas moved from the short sharp road relays of March to the Half Marathon in April with enviable ease, coming home 49th in an excellent time of 1:13:36.

 Greg Bennett struggled over the last couple of miles to hang on for a new PB of 1:27:59.

Paul Leonard finished in 1:33:45 with John Husbands, still feeling the effects of an illness during the week following in 1:41:07 and raising over £1,000 for charity.

David Ford continued his strong showings in a TVH vest finishing in1:38:39 with William Paynter, reaping the rewards of winter cross country training to come in well under 2 hours at 1:52:44.

Meanwhile Tracy Barlow continued her impressive build up to the London Marathon with a commanding win at the Paddock Wood Half Marathon, following hot on the heels of her club record run at the Bath Half.

Tracy’s winning time was 1:15.48 – a couple of minutes behind her Bath time but still seven and half minutes ahead of the second placed lady.

“It was a really good race. I had been told it was quite pancake flat, and some of the hills were definitely a challenge,” said Tracy.

“It’s been nice to get a good run in before the London Marathon, and even better that it’s a good result.”

A great set of performances, all counting in the TVH Endurance Cup. Points updates can be found on

https://www.thamesvalleyharriers.com/road-running/tvh-road-race-series/