Ron Reed sadly passes away

I have to report that Ron Reed, who was I believe,  an early member of the club passed away this weekend.  He was in his nineties. More information will be posted here when it is known.

Ron currently holds  5 club records: the M65 4 Mile record; the M75 5 Mile, 10, Mile and half marathon records; and the M80 Half Marathon record which he set at the Wilmslow Half Marathon in March 2008.

Ron was mentioned in a report from the Macclesfield Express on 8th March 2006.

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OLYMPIC boxing champion Amir Khan will once again join the international athletes and top flight amateurs in the biggest ever Wilmslow Half Marathon.

Now in its 22nd year and firmly established as one of the UK’s top road races, the 13 mile race takes place on Sunday, March 19.

Athletes and celebrities from all over the country will line up with hundreds of local runners at 10.30am at Wilmslow Rugby Club, waiting for the starter’s pistol.

Roy Pownall, race secretary, said: “This year is the biggest in the 22 year history of the race. We expect more than 3,500 competitors to complete the course.”

The race, organised by Wilmslow Running Club, is the last big event in the running calendar as competitors prepare for the London Marathon.

Frequently oversubscribed, new sponsors, ASICS, hope to expand the number of entrants to 5,000 over the next three years.

Spokesman, Andrew Freeman, said: “The Wilmslow Half Marathon is a hugely successful event that has built up a huge following over the last 22 years and ASICS hope to continue building on that success.”

Ranging in age from 17 to 79, this year sees a varied field of competitors, including a return visit for world renowned boxer Amir Khan.

Other competitors to watch this year include Wilmslow Running Club’s Ron Reed, the oldest in the field who has become a familiar face in the Wilmslow Half Marathon over the years.

Deeside runner Sid Bailey is the only competitor in this year’s field who has completed each of the 21 previous half marathons.

Roy said: “He has the honour of wearing race number 22 as it is the 22nd time he has run the event.”

Race number one goes to 18-year-old James Shaw, of Ashton Under Lyne, of East Cheshire Harriers.

He is aiming to break the world record of 78 minutes and 13 seconds for a runner with a learning difficulty.

There are more Wilmslow and Mobberley residents running than ever before, however the race continues to attract runners from overseas.

Egyptian runner Hussein Ahmed is expected to have the longest journey to the start line after spotting the event details on the internet.

Last year’s winner Thomas Abyu of Salford Harriers will not be back to defend his title in 2006, however his team mate Eddie Simpson is likely to be one of the front runners.

Other elite runners expected to lead the field include brothers Dave and Andy Norman, of Altrincham Harriers, Bingley Harrier’s Andy Peace and Wilmslow Running Club’s Mike Halman.

Cheshire’s top half marathon runner Mike Proudlove and Birchfield Harriers’ Mark Dalkins should also be among the front runners.

Charities for 2006 include Francis House Children’s Hospice and the David Lewis Centre.

In 2005, more than £100,000 was raised for The East Cheshire Hospice and Christies Against Cancer.

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Incidentally at that race.

Well Andy Norman won it by over a minute (1L05:54) .  James Shaw ran in 1:17:08!!

The first WRC runner was Mike Halman (1:10:7).  Mick was 2M55, Nicky 3L45.

StuartP edged  TomMc finishing 21st . Similarly Julie edged out a gallant Don by a heartbeat (both 1:44:45). A young Rob was 4th club member – 2 lady runners finishing  in front of him. Other runners included  – in no particular order – Jim, IanS, SteveR, Amanda, Gareth (just ahead of Simon) , Kate and Cat. And others I have forgotten!

And Ron?  Well he was 1M75 in a time of 2:16:30.  His record of 1:46:06 set in 2002 still stands.