EALING was buzzing over the weekend, with runners, supporters, residents and volunteers celebrating the return of the #EalingFeeling to the parks and streets of the borough.

Ealing Half Marathon race weekend – which also included the popular Ealing Mini Mile on Saturday - had been eagerly awaited, with more than 6,000 runners signed up.

On Sunday morning, Tom Kerry, Running Mayor of Ealing, sent the runners on their way at 9am before joining the running throng.

Jonathan Poole (Serpentine RC) was on the start line to defend his title, and he secured his fourth consecutive Ealing Half title in a time of 1.08.50 after pulling away from runner-up Andrew McCaskill, who finished in 1.09.14. Ollie Garrod (South London Harriers) took third place in 1.10.04.

Melissah Gibson (Ealing Eagles RC) was the fastest in the women’s field and took the title in 1.19.51, ahead of fellow Ealing Eagle Alice Sunderland in 1.20.58. Sharan Basrai came third in 01.30.30.

The single lap 13.1-mile course started and finished in Lammas Park and took in parts of Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens.

The top three men and women were awarded a cash prize and Up & Running vouchers. All age group winners, as well as the fastest Ealing residents and the best fancy dress, also received Up & Running vouchers.

Runners from 102 different clubs were taking part, including 330 members of Ealing Eagles.

Many runners could also be seen in charity vests, raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Meadow House Hospice and many more.

Ealing Mini Mile took place in Lammas Park the previous day, with the biggest ever field of young runners signed up and a total of eight races across the age categories. This year’s finishing T-shirt featured a designed by Natalie, of St Joseph’s School, Ealing.

Age category winners were: George Antoniades and Isla Fereday (Family Mini Mile); Aditya Kansagra and Jessica Lennon (6-year-olds); Dejan Luzajic and Cissie Bootman (7-year-olds); Noah Liborg and Alexia Gaudin (8-year-olds); Jack Jones and Violet Muralidhar (9-year-olds); Stefan Luzajic and Kara Bryan (10-year-olds); Zacharia Van Der Graaf and Leila Newth (11-year-olds); Gus Lewis and Nai Mossi (12-16s).

Sponsors and partners of Ealing Half Marathon 2021 included Up & Running, ASICS, Ealing Fitness Clinic, IKON Dental Suite, Forester Pub and EHM Legacy CIC.

The 10th anniversary race will be taking place on Sunday, September 25, 2022 and entries open at 1pm today (27) with places at £29 for the first 200 entrants. 

Go to www.ealinghalfmarathon.com for further details and results.