Olympic runners stroll to success in Wycombe Half Marathon

2:24pm Sunday 15th July 2012 in News By James Nadal

Claire Hallissey Claire Hallissey

TWO athletes set to compete in the Olympic marathon in coming weeks strolled to victory in High Wycombe today.

British runner Claire Hallissey was triumphant in the ladies Wycombe Half Marathon whilst Anuradha Cooray, who will compete for Sri Lanka, easily beat off competition in the men's event.

Hallissey, 29, came in with a time of 1.16.01.

Cooray, 34, who lives in High Wycombe part of the time and also in Wendover, finished in 1.07.02.

Women's winner Hallissey told the BFP: “I'm happy with winning today and with the Olympic marathon coming up in two weeks that's obviously my main focus.

“This was a bit of a training run, albeit a hilly one. It's obviously tough with the hills at the beginning.

“I'm very excited about the Olympics now, it's not likely to come around again in my lifetime. This was my last real hard training drill.

“I'm now starting to relax and starting to focus on the race.”

She revealed her victory came despite suffering with a minor muscle injury before the race.

Asked if she had a target for herself at the London 2012 games, she replied: “Not really. First of all I just want to go out and enjoy it, it's my first Olympics, I just want to have a competitive race and see how far up I can finish.

The runner is based in Virginia in the USA and has recently been at a UK Athletics training camp in the French Pyrenees with top GB athletes Paula Radcliffe, Mo Farah, and Hannah England.

“It was quite nice hanging around with all these great runners,” she said.

She tipped Farah for success and said: “It would be lively to see Paula up there with a medal. It's a bit of an unknown with her, she can pull one out of the bag on the day.”

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Hallissey hopes to benefit from the home crowd advantage and said people generally in the country seem to be enthused about the games.

She added: “My Twitter account has gone a little bit crazy, lots of comments on that.”

Cooray, who is based in England with his wife and family, said: “The course is really hard, really because of the start, with the hills, it was killing me. But overall, it was fine.

“This is my last race before the Olympics and it was my training run.

“I'm really excited because this is like my home games now and this is my second, I also ran in 2004. I hope to do my best and come in the first 15.

“This may be my last Olympics because I'm getting a bit older now.”

The Sri Lankan national record holder said he is pleased his two 18 month old twins will get to see him race.

His coach Nick Taylor from Vale of Aylesbury Athletics Club said: “I'm very confident, he's in the best form of his life I think. He's probably the best athlete I've trained.”

Meanwhile, High Wycombe resident Karl Alexander won the men's 10k race and Lucy Rogers, from Hazlemere, won the ladies' run.

See links for full results.

Comments (15)

3:21pm Sun 15 Jul 12

JohnnyTrousers says...

My experiences of the Wycombe Half Marathon today? This morning, cycling along, slowing down and pulling to the side on a very narrow path with a high wall on one side and a fence on the other (near Wycombe Abbey School) and being told by a runner "get out of the f**king way you f**king idiot". Very pleasant.
My experiences of the Wycombe Half Marathon today? This morning, cycling along, slowing down and pulling to the side on a very narrow path with a high wall on one side and a fence on the other (near Wycombe Abbey School) and being told by a runner "get out of the f**king way you f**king idiot". Very pleasant. JohnnyTrousers

7:18pm Sun 15 Jul 12

MarGoe says...

Johnny, the language was in- excusable but is cycling allowed on footpaths?
Johnny, the language was in- excusable but is cycling allowed on footpaths? MarGoe

8:05pm Sun 15 Jul 12

helenc9010 says...

Maybe next time Johnny you'll listen to the marshall in front of the lead runner asking you politely to get out of his way!
Maybe next time Johnny you'll listen to the marshall in front of the lead runner asking you politely to get out of his way! helenc9010

9:28pm Sun 15 Jul 12

The Judge says...

CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL.
JUDGE
CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE The Judge

6:12am Mon 16 Jul 12

cocobay says...

The Judge wrote:
CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL.
JUDGE
Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event !
[quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE[/p][/quote]Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event ! cocobay

11:11am Mon 16 Jul 12

The Judge says...

cocobay wrote:
The Judge wrote:
CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL.
JUDGE
Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event !
DONT MENTION IT.
REMEMBER CYCLISTS.... YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD AND JUST FOR THIS ONE DAY YOU SHOULD RESPECT OTHER ROAD USERS AND MAYBE WATCH THE EVENT OR GO TO THE GYM!!!
JUDGE
[quote][p][bold]cocobay[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE[/p][/quote]Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event ![/p][/quote]DONT MENTION IT. REMEMBER CYCLISTS.... YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD AND JUST FOR THIS ONE DAY YOU SHOULD RESPECT OTHER ROAD USERS AND MAYBE WATCH THE EVENT OR GO TO THE GYM!!! JUDGE The Judge

1:01pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Cyclo says...

I was cycling my regular 30 miles and just caught up with the tail end of the runners - no problem skirting round them, also road barriers had already been removed.
Anyway, well done to all who took part!
I was cycling my regular 30 miles and just caught up with the tail end of the runners - no problem skirting round them, also road barriers had already been removed. Anyway, well done to all who took part! Cyclo

1:03pm Mon 16 Jul 12

Cyclo says...

The Judge wrote:
cocobay wrote:
The Judge wrote: CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE
Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event !
DONT MENTION IT. REMEMBER CYCLISTS.... YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD AND JUST FOR THIS ONE DAY YOU SHOULD RESPECT OTHER ROAD USERS AND MAYBE WATCH THE EVENT OR GO TO THE GYM!!! JUDGE
Who owns the road then?
[quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]cocobay[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE[/p][/quote]Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event ![/p][/quote]DONT MENTION IT. REMEMBER CYCLISTS.... YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD AND JUST FOR THIS ONE DAY YOU SHOULD RESPECT OTHER ROAD USERS AND MAYBE WATCH THE EVENT OR GO TO THE GYM!!! JUDGE[/p][/quote]Who owns the road then? Cyclo

3:14pm Mon 16 Jul 12

cocobay says...

Cyclo wrote:
The Judge wrote:
cocobay wrote:
The Judge wrote: CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE
Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event !
DONT MENTION IT. REMEMBER CYCLISTS.... YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD AND JUST FOR THIS ONE DAY YOU SHOULD RESPECT OTHER ROAD USERS AND MAYBE WATCH THE EVENT OR GO TO THE GYM!!! JUDGE
Who owns the road then?
The County Council Does - You as a Cyclist and me as a runner dont pay tax for this. however my entry fee for Wycombe Half Marathon would have contributed to those closures ..
[quote][p][bold]Cyclo[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]cocobay[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: CYCLISTS SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS AND ALLOW THIS EVENT TO PROCEED FOLLOWING WEEKS OF ORGANISATION AND NOT IMPEDE THE RUNNERS. THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ONLY ONCE OF YEAR AND THE RUNNERS RAISE MUCH NEEDED MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITY. THE JUDGE PRAISES ALL THE RUNNERS WHO COMPETED THIS VERY DIFFICULT COURSE. WELL DONE TO ALL. JUDGE[/p][/quote]Thank you Judge ! I ran in this yesterday & for one day, cyclists just have respect ! Plus the roads have closures for a reason, for us runners in this event ![/p][/quote]DONT MENTION IT. REMEMBER CYCLISTS.... YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD AND JUST FOR THIS ONE DAY YOU SHOULD RESPECT OTHER ROAD USERS AND MAYBE WATCH THE EVENT OR GO TO THE GYM!!! JUDGE[/p][/quote]Who owns the road then?[/p][/quote]The County Council Does - You as a Cyclist and me as a runner dont pay tax for this. however my entry fee for Wycombe Half Marathon would have contributed to those closures .. cocobay

8:12pm Mon 16 Jul 12

JohnnyTrousers says...

I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me.
What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?"
Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect!
I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me. What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?" Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect! JohnnyTrousers

8:14pm Mon 16 Jul 12

JohnnyTrousers says...

Incidentally, to add to my last post, I ran in this last year, and I would not have dreamed of hurling abuse at *anyone*.
Incidentally, to add to my last post, I ran in this last year, and I would not have dreamed of hurling abuse at *anyone*. JohnnyTrousers

9:51pm Mon 16 Jul 12

helenc9010 says...

JohnnyTrousers wrote:
I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me.
What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?"
Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect!
I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?!
[quote][p][bold]JohnnyTrousers[/bold] wrote: I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me. What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?" Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect![/p][/quote]I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?! helenc9010

9:31am Tue 17 Jul 12

The Judge says...

helenc9010 wrote:
JohnnyTrousers wrote:
I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me.
What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?"
Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect!
I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?!
THE JUDGE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HE HAS RUN THE WYCOMBE HALF OVER 10 TIMES AND FINISHED IN THE TOP 100 AND DURING THAT TIME NEVER HURLED ABUSE AT ANYONE - HE WAS NOT IN A FIT STATE TO HURLE ANYTHING AT ANYONE !!!
HOWEVER CLEARLY CYCLISTS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM AND SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS BY KEEPING OUT OF THE WAY AND GIVING THEM CLEAR PASSAGE...
JUDGE
[quote][p][bold]helenc9010[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JohnnyTrousers[/bold] wrote: I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me. What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?" Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect![/p][/quote]I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?![/p][/quote]THE JUDGE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HE HAS RUN THE WYCOMBE HALF OVER 10 TIMES AND FINISHED IN THE TOP 100 AND DURING THAT TIME NEVER HURLED ABUSE AT ANYONE - HE WAS NOT IN A FIT STATE TO HURLE ANYTHING AT ANYONE !!! HOWEVER CLEARLY CYCLISTS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM AND SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS BY KEEPING OUT OF THE WAY AND GIVING THEM CLEAR PASSAGE... JUDGE The Judge

9:45am Tue 17 Jul 12

helenc9010 says...

The Judge wrote:
helenc9010 wrote:
JohnnyTrousers wrote:
I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me.
What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?"
Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect!
I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?!
THE JUDGE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HE HAS RUN THE WYCOMBE HALF OVER 10 TIMES AND FINISHED IN THE TOP 100 AND DURING THAT TIME NEVER HURLED ABUSE AT ANYONE - HE WAS NOT IN A FIT STATE TO HURLE ANYTHING AT ANYONE !!!
HOWEVER CLEARLY CYCLISTS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM AND SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS BY KEEPING OUT OF THE WAY AND GIVING THEM CLEAR PASSAGE...
JUDGE
But Judge, have you been about to win the 10k race and come across a cyclist riding at you down a narrow path? I think then you may have something to say to him.
[quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]helenc9010[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JohnnyTrousers[/bold] wrote: I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me. What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?" Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect![/p][/quote]I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?![/p][/quote]THE JUDGE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT HE HAS RUN THE WYCOMBE HALF OVER 10 TIMES AND FINISHED IN THE TOP 100 AND DURING THAT TIME NEVER HURLED ABUSE AT ANYONE - HE WAS NOT IN A FIT STATE TO HURLE ANYTHING AT ANYONE !!! HOWEVER CLEARLY CYCLISTS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM AND SHOULD RESPECT THE RUNNERS BY KEEPING OUT OF THE WAY AND GIVING THEM CLEAR PASSAGE... JUDGE[/p][/quote]But Judge, have you been about to win the 10k race and come across a cyclist riding at you down a narrow path? I think then you may have something to say to him. helenc9010

10:47pm Tue 17 Jul 12

JohnnyTrousers says...

helenc9010 wrote:
JohnnyTrousers wrote: I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me. What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?" Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect!
I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?!
Helenc9010... Considering that the runner was not even in sight when I started down the narrow path, common sense does not even come into it. On another note, marshalls advising me to not go that way? No one spoke to me! The only marshall I spoke to was the one directly outside of Wycombe Abbey, where the runner came out of whilst I was on the narrow path. She agreed with me that his attitude was completely unsuitable. Matter closed.
[quote][p][bold]helenc9010[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]JohnnyTrousers[/bold] wrote: I think some of you are missing my point... I have utmost respect for the runners, *but* like I stated in my first post, I was pulling over, so there was absolutely no need for the abuse that was hurled at me. What would have happened if, rather than me on my bike, that abusive guy had been faced with a parent with a double buggy? Would he have said to them "get the f**k out of my way?" Ill Mannered, foul mouthed fool. Maybe he should have had some respect![/p][/quote]I would make the assumption that the parent with the double buggy would have considerably more common sense than you and not try and walk down a narrow path into oncoming runners after being advised otherwise by several marshalls?![/p][/quote]Helenc9010... Considering that the runner was not even in sight when I started down the narrow path, common sense does not even come into it. On another note, marshalls advising me to not go that way? No one spoke to me! The only marshall I spoke to was the one directly outside of Wycombe Abbey, where the runner came out of whilst I was on the narrow path. She agreed with me that his attitude was completely unsuitable. Matter closed. JohnnyTrousers

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