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ASICS Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon News

Capt Barry Stoddart APTC, a previous Army Cross Country Champion, will be attempting to break the World Record for the ASICS Fleet (Pre-London) Half marathon (currently held by William Mac Lemmnan 1hr 43min 42 Secs) running in Army Kit carrying a 40lb Bergen. He will be raising money for the Army Benevolent Fund and hopes to raise £5000. This attempt is part of the wider celebrations commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the Army Physical Training Corp and a 48 mile relay will take place on Thurs 18th March  3 days before the Fleet race which is the Army ½ Marathon Championships.

The 12 founding members of the APTC known as the Apostles were formed under Major Hammersley as the Army Gymnastic Staff and were educated at Oxford University.  In 1860 they moved from Oxford to Aldershot, the current home of the APTC.  The move of the Apostles will be replicated by a Road Relay and will take place on Thursday 18 March 2010. The start point will be at the ‘MacLaren Gymnasium’, Blue Boar Street, Oxford, OX1 4DA where the Apostles first conducted training. The outside structure of the Gymnasium still remains extant however the building is now used as a Financial Institution

The route is approximately 48 miles.  This will be split into 12 legs measuring distances from 3.8miles to 4.2miles respectively.  Each leg will have a serving member of the APTC and an APTC Association member running with each other.  Running out of Oxford south to Crowmarsh the route will go through Henley-on-Thames, Wokingham and Sandhurst, picking up the A325 into Aldershot, finishing in Fox Lines

The last stage of the route will encompass Queens Avenue and the final run into Fox Lines and will be run by Maj (retd) Jim Wood who as well as holding a number of National titles in Winter Biathlon and Triathlon in the mid 80s titles also represented GB at 2 Olympic Games in 1980 and 84 where he was placed 14th in the 20km Biathlon.  During this stage it is anticipated that all available members of the APTC, APTC Association and ASPT students will join the last leg runner into the finish area.

Captain Stoddart and Major Wood served together at the Army School of Physical Training in 1998/9 as Instructor and Officer and it is perhaps significant that they should now find themselves working together once again but under the Army Athletics Association banner. Barry, who is still an active athlete, also holds the appointment of the Army Cross Country and Road Racing team manager and Jim is the General Secretary of the same organisation.

The race’s main sponsor is ASICS, the international sports company who have signed a contract to remain its main sponsor for at least the next 3 years. Other sponsors are Amazon Windows of Fleet, BMW Barons of Farnborough, Hart Leisure Services, The Sweatshop of Woking and Trinity Photography. The sponsors’ contribution is vital to ensure the race maintains its renowned respect within the athletic arena. The organisers would also like to thank Hampshire Police and Hart Safety Council for their pre-event advice. The following groups ensure that the day runs smoothly; RAYNET, St. John Ambulance, doctors and staff of The Event Medicine Company, Running Imp, all race officials, local Scouts and Guide groups, ATC, all volunteer marshals, drink station organisers and members of Fleet and Crookham AC.

Fleet and Crookham AC is a long established athletics and running club whose members compete in track and field, cross country and road running events, including the London Marathon. It has both adult and junior sections. The main Club training nights are Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.45pm at the Peter Driver Sports Ground on Bourley Road. As well as the Fleet Half Marathon the Club also organises the Fleet 10K in October and supports the cross country series at Lord Wandsworth School in Long Sutton. Further details can be found on their website www.fleetandcrookhamac.org.uk

For more information contact publicity@fleethalfmarathon.com.

Fast Feet Run Round Fleet

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ENDS