VIDEO: Baker does it again in Chichester Half Marathon

There have been five Chichester Half Marathons since the race was brought back in 2012 - and James Baker has won all five.
James Baker is first over the line - again - in the Chi Half / Picture by Steve BoneJames Baker is first over the line - again - in the Chi Half / Picture by Steve Bone
James Baker is first over the line - again - in the Chi Half / Picture by Steve Bone

He retained his crown with a bit to spare as a field of hundreds took part in the 2016 renewal under sunny skies and in near-perfect conditions.

Baker’s winning time of 1hr 19min 02sec was some way off the course record of 1.11.52 he set last year - that after a campaign which has been hampered by injury.

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But he was still the clear winner, beating Chichester Runners team-mates Mikey Neville (1.24.31) and Charles Rodmell (1.25.53) into second and third place. Mike Houston, fourth in 1.26.42, meant Chichester had the first four over the line.

James Baker is first over the line - again - in the Chi Half / Picture by Steve BoneJames Baker is first over the line - again - in the Chi Half / Picture by Steve Bone
James Baker is first over the line - again - in the Chi Half / Picture by Steve Bone

First lady home in the half marathon was Chichester Runners’ Anne Sydenham in 1.33.28.

This year saw the introduction of two new elements to the race, a ten-miler that enabled people to avoid the worst bit of the ascent up the Trundle, and a three-person relay race which featured the whole course being covered by a trio.

There were local winners in these elements too - Chichester’s Peter Concannon completed the ten-miler course, which actually worked out at close to ten-and-a-half miles, in a an hour and 35 seconds, while a team of three from Fittleworth Flyers took the ladies’ relay crown.

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The half marathon is organised by locally-based Children On The Edge, which helps vulnerable youngsters all over the world, and Everyone Active Chichester, who have taken over many of the the district council’s sporting roles.

Today’s race was started by BBC South Today presenter Sally Taylor, who has supported the event since it was revived, with help from CDC’s Cllr Elizabth Hamilton.

STEVE BONE

Don’t miss more from the big race on this website in the coming days and in the Observer on Thursday - when we will publish a full list of finishers and their times together with race analysis and a picture special.

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