Press Release 19/03/08

Can you match veteran Peter’s half marathon record?

At 73, Peter Braney has taken part in Redcar Half Marathon for more than a quarter of a century – yet he only started running because of a pair of unwanted shoes!.

Peter, from Manor Place, Stockton, will be stepping out in the Half Marathon on Sunday 20 April for the 26th time – and he has never missed a single one.

“I like the Redcar Half Marathon because it’s at my favourite distance and it’s virtually on my doorstep,” he said. “The funny thing is, I only started running when I was 35 because we bought my son some running shoes and they didn’t fit him.”

Now a longstanding member of the Billingham Marsh House Harriers, Peter is a veteran of more than 145 half-marathons in total, and expects to finish in around two hours.

The 13.1 mile Tees Valley Leisure Redcar Half Marathon is one of the longest-established and most popular in the running calendar and attracts over one 1500 entries every year from people across the North East region and beyond.

This year, it begins and finishes at Kirkleatham Museum and showground – which is a bonus for Peter.

“It’s nice to know that while you’re slogging round the course, your family can be enjoying themselves and having a cuppa at the museum!” he said.

The event has been given an extra boost this year with prize money more than double than that of the previous year - with cash awards totalling
£3,600 to encourage record breaking finish times.

The fast, flat, all tarmac course – which takes in Redcar sea front scenery as seen in the award-winning film Atonement – is accurately measured and entry fees are from £15.

All entrants will receive an exclusive event t-shirt and goodie bag including over £20 of vouchers to spend at Tees Valley Leisure centres. And for Redcar and Cleveland Borough residents (male and female), free gym memberships are on offer at Tees Valley Leisure outlets as an incentive to train for the event.

The Half Marathon will be enhanced this year with the addition of a three kilometre new Family Fun Run - a safe off road course in the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum and entertainment will be provided for all the family to enjoy.

But Peter Braney is wondering if he is the only person to have taken part in every Redcar Half Marathon since he started.

“I’m sure I can’t be – and it would be excellent if the event was able to keep a list of everyone who has been in it from the very start,” he said.

If you have entered every year or you know of someone who has - or if you are running the Tees Valley Leisure Redcar Half Marathon for a special cause this year and have a story to tell about half marathons past and present, give Tees Valley Leisure a call on 01642 447700 as they are keen to hear from you or email Sheila Chapman PR at scpr@btopenworld.com                       

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are partners of the Redcar Half marathon and sponsors are Northumbrian Water, Mizuno, TFM, Hatton Traffic.  The event’s nominated charities are Zoe's Place, the MS Centre, South Bank and Make A Child Smile

Entry forms for the Redcar Half Marathon and the new Family Fun Run are available now on the Tees Valley Leisure website www.teesvalleyleisure.co.uk, the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council website and the TFM website or to collect from any Tees Valley Leisure Centre. 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Sheila Chapman, sheilachapman PR tel 07732 827 486 scpr@btopenworld.com or contact Paddy Corcoran on 07973918429