Inspiring stories and heroic efforts from thousands of runners

THOUSANDS of runners took to the streets of Swansea yesterday as the Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon returned for its 11th race.

- SHAURYA SHAURYA

While the main race attracted more than 5,000 runners to the quick, flat seafront course, there was also the Front Runner 5 Miler, and the Freedom Leisure Family Fun Run for those who didn't quite fancy the full 13.1-mile race.

Omar Ahmed of Birchfield Harriers was first home in the main race in a time of one hour, three minutes and 13 seconds, followed by local favourite Dewi Griffiths of Swansea Harriers in a time of 1.05.04, with Ollie Lockley from Leeds City AC third, some 53 seconds further back.

Natasha Wilson was the fastest female home in a time of 1.12.13, followed by Lousie Small in 1.12.59 and Sasha Martin, who finished 1.13.32 after the gun, but with a chip time of 1.12.40.

The wheelchair half marathon was won by Coventry Godiva Harrier Josh Hickinbottom with a time of 1.01.18, followed home by club-mate Mel Nichools in 1.05.34 and Newport Harrier Owain Terrell in a time of 1.07.34.

As well as the athletes leading the field, there were hundreds running to raise awareness and money for good causes.

Among those due to take to the streets of the city yesterday was mother of four Louise Horton, who was given a diagnosis in 2022 which left her unsure if she would live to see the birth of her grandchild. Now, three years later she was raising money for a charity that has been like an “extended family” to them.

Louise was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, a diagnosis which came as a “shock” to her. Fortunately, after months of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a mastectomy, she was finally declared “cancer free”.

Louise said: “It was March of 2022. I had just washed and I discovered a lump on my breast and had to investigate it, and then I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.”