Fleet Half Marathon

It was a new experience for everyone in 1982, runners entering unknown territories, organisers testing carefully (?) laid plans, emergency services providing aid where required, the town of Fleet and surrounding area adapting to what is now a major and familiar event in the town's calendar.

Race day arrived with bright, warm weather and high expectations setting the scene at Rushmoor Arena. The Gurkhas' pipes and drums entertained the gathering crowd whilst the "The Red Devils" dropped-in, ran the race, then flew off to the Falklands! Large crowds supported the race around the course and in the arena, whilst medical aid was given to many runners suffering mainly from the heat (70ºF). The following two years saw rain and hailstorms!

So foundations were laid for a very successful race to become a premier event in the town's calendar and the world of athletics.

What has happened since?

The race has always been associated with and supported by the local branch of Leukaemia Research as the main charity. In 1984 (after a committee meeting on Westminster Bridge!) the race joined the Pearl Assurance road race series. The Athletic Club also became a founder member of the British Association of Road Races; a body dedicated to improving organisation and safety at road races. Major sports companies such as Adidas, Reebok, Nike, and View From have also sponsored the race whilst local sponsors have included Fleet Honda, Redfields Garden Centre and Hart Leisure Centre. Our main sponsor is now Asics which has been supporting us since 2000.

Entries rose to 4,000 a year with a regular 3,000 completing the course. For many years the race was closed for entries by Christmas, such being its popularity. We now accept just 2,500 runners due to the restrictions of the course. The race still reaches this target quickly despite competition from other major half marathons on the same day. Various regional and area championships are hosted on a regular basis.

Celebrities and personalities are regular visitors including names from the past: Dickie Davis (commentary), Kenny Lynch, Lenny Bennett, Gary Wilmot, Ralph Arliss (77 mins), the team from Spitting Image and many more over the years. More recently stars from Emmerdale and Casualty completed the course. Elite athletes gracing the event have included Steve Jones (former marathon world record holder), with internationals Steve Brace, Garry Staines, Bernie Ford, Marion Sutton, Ann Ford, Paula Fudge. Club and local athletes continue to use the race as a warm up for the London Marathon as well as for a personal best opportunity in its own right.

For several years a Junior Fun Run was held in the arena encouraged by the large crowd, whilst with the production of a 3 hour video and Fleet Photographic Clubs help attempts were made to "capture the day" on film.

Two courses have been used, plus variations, with HQ moving to Calthorpe Park in 1992.

Over the years assisting groups (medical, communications, scouts, guides, ATC, school parent assocs. etc) have benefited from donations of £50,000+, with Leukaemia Research raising large sums from the event in its own right. Fleet & Crookham AC has improved club facilities, including the opening of a new Club HQ on the Peter Driver sports field in 1995. The Club continues to provide athletic facilities for the area of Fleet and Church Crookham.

Support to the event requires assistance from over 200 people, hours of work from the dedicated members of the organising committee (several being very long serving) and the encouragement from the hundreds of local people watching.

Finally none of this would have happened without the STAR NEWSPAPER and its former editor (Leon Reis) who had a vision he shared with Fleet & Crookham Athletic Club. In the first race programme he said, "….It is wonderful to see people getting off their backsides and having a go". Over the past 20+ years nearly 50,000 have!

www.fleethalfmarathon.com