Sunday 23rd March saw the Hillingdon 20, (formerly the Finchley 20) take place. The Hillingdon 20 is regarded as Britain’s oldest 20-mile road race, with a long history tied to marathon preparation, particularly the London marathon and endurance racing.
This years edition saw 304 entrants, with some course changes such as the 4 lap route being in reverse direction this year and an additional loop into Broadwood Avenue. The race started at Hillingdon Athletic Club clubhouse at 9:00am, with conditions deemed as ‘cool’ and almost perfect running conditions although a chance of rain towards the end of the 4 hour cut off period!
The course
Spencer was lead bike, navigating runners around the 4-lap course. The course took runners along Bury Street and down onto Park Avenue. A course change this year meant runners then made a left-hand turn into Broadwood Avenue, making their way around the round-a-bout and back onto Park Avenue. Coming onto Elmbridge Drive, the course took runners briefly onto the Celandine Route and then making a right-hand turn onto the Fore Street. Climbing up Fore Street and then turning into Salisbury Road, which is where runners where met with the first of two water stations.
Turning onto the climb of Wiltshire Lane, taking runners past Haydon School. Making a right-hand turn onto Norwich Road, runners enjoyed a steep downhill, some recovery after some climbing! At the bottom of Norwich Road, runners turned onto the long and flat pavements of Joel Street.
Making their way past Eastcote Cricket Club, runners turned right onto Eastcote High Road and then back onto the Celandine Route, taking them over the River Pinn. Onto Mount Park Road, turning back onto Fore Street and then the stretch of Eastcote Road. The course then took runners down to Kings College Road, Evelyn Avenue which linked to Pinn Way, where runners were met with their second water station on the course.
Following Pinn Way until turning right, back onto Bury Street, runners would follow until turning back onto Park Avenue, which would mark 1 lap. The race finished at Hillingdon Athletic Club clubhouse.
Runners were presented with medals, physio facilities and homemade cakes prepared by members of Hillingdon Atheltic Club.
There were a total of 55 marshal points around the course, supporting all participants throughout the race.
A huge congratulations to all participants, we hope you enjoyed the event and all the best for your future events!
A massive thank you to everyone who made this year’s Hillingdon 20 possible, all the marshals who gave their time to ensure the safety of our participants, those who baked cakes, planned the event and the support and co-operation of the local community, we are incredibly grateful!
A huge thank you to Rob for the fantastic photos!
Category results
Female
Top 3
1st Karima HARRIS 02:06:14
2nd Catherine O’CONNOR 02:14:32
3rd Emily ANTCLIFFE 02:16:58
Ages 20 – 39
1st Tabitha SLEAP 02:21:27
2nd Kerry RICHES 02:21:53
3rd Molly DEELY 02:24:37
Ages 40 – 49
1st Ania GABB 02:17:15
2nd Jemma ROUGHLEY 02:23:14
3rd Lisa MCGILLIVRAY 02:32:51
Ages 50 – 59
1st Trudi BELOOU 02:26:48
2nd Alison JESSOPP 02:49:21
3rd Birgit CUNNINGHAM 02:49:48
Ages 60 +
1st Helen BOLT 02:46:16
2nd Mandy JACKSON 03:07:03
3rd Olu GOODEN 03:28:35
Male
Top 3
1st Jack MILLAR 01:47:00
2nd Samuel GEBRESELASSIE 01:48:57
3rd Charlie SANDISON 01:48:58
Ages 20 – 39
1st Tony PAYNE 01:49:11
2nd Max PARKER 01:49:12
3rd Jacob BROCKMANN 01:49:30
Ages 40 – 49
1st Jonathan POOLE 01:51:54
2nd John EVES 01:56:08
3rd Adam SHUTE 02:00:17
Ages 50 – 59
1st Kevin SAMBRIDGE 01:59:31
2nd Matthew SAYERS 02:02:31
3rd Donal MORAN 02:03:45
Ages 60 +
1st Nigel RACKHAM 02:06:22
2nd Mike HURFORD 02:16:27
3rd Michael TURNEY 02:21:47
Hertfordshire 20 mile Championships results
To be eligible, you must have been born in Hertfordshire or been a resident for 9 months. To take part in the Championships, you must state your eligibility during registration process.
Female
Top 3
1st Catherine O’CONNOR 02:14:32
2nd Trudi BELOOU 02:26:48
3rd Helen MOYE 03:06:09
Ages 20 – 34
1st Catherine O’CONNOR 02:14:32
Ages 35 – 44
1st Katie AHMED 03:16:38
2nd Priya TANK 03:16:57
Ages 45 – 54
1st Trudi BELOOU 02:26:48
2nd Annie KEMP 03:07:32
3rd Marie STAUNTON 03:18:59
Ages 55 – 64
1st Helen MOYE 03:06:09
Ages 65+
1st Mandy JACKSON 03:07:03
Male
Top 3
1st Oliver HILL 01:53:46
2nd Liam STRUWE 01:54:29
3rd John EVES 01:56:08
Ages 20 – 39
1st Oliver HILL 01:53:46
2nd Liam STRUWE 01:54:29
3rd Jonathan YEATES 01:58:27
Ages 40 – 49
1st John EVES 01:56:08
2nd Ben BEECROFT 02:00:52
3rd Simon JACKSON 02:02:35
Ages 50 – 59
1st Kevin SAMBRIDGE 01:59:31
2nd Matthew SAYERS 02:02:31
3rd Darren MCLATCHEY 02:11:16
Ages 60 – 69
1st Mike HURFORD 02:16:27
2nd Mark TOPHAM 02:23:33
3rd Ian WELLS 02:34:55
Ages 70+
1st Jim BROWN 04:05:27
Hillingdon Athletic Club results
12th James LAING 01:54:39
13th Kirk O’ROURKE 01:55:19
29th Paul WOOD 02:05:00
30th Travis BOWCAMBE 02:05:15
36th Ryan HAMDY 02:07:10
46th Jack CHUBB 02:10:58
88th Gary TAYLOR 02:28:18
183rd Caroline FORD 02:57:04
209th Ben HOLDEN 03:07:36
244th Brian RICHARDSON 03:24:57
Ryan ran the Hillingdon 20 in preparation for this year’s London Marathon, here’s what he had to say about the race:
“The annual undulating effort of completing Hillingdon 20 for most is a race of the fittest, for many like myself it’s a rehearsal and a gauge of understanding for the big day at London Marathon. With 4 weeks to go this was the confidence boost I needed going into London Marathon as it has shown that everything I am training for is going to plan. Although the 20 miles of this course is extremely hilly compared to London I was able to comfortably hold a respectable pace whilst being in total control of what I was doing. This race has allowed me to make final last minute adjustments to the race and if I have learnt anything from this it is to get better with my fuelling!!! Unfortunately throughout the 20 miles I was only able to consume half a gel and a couple sips of water, with this in mind it’s not all bad as I never depleted and was well prepped going into it. Unfortunately my body goes into this weird lock down status and rejects consumption of gels and water which can cause issues and loss of marginal gains. Moving onto the shoes… what can I say the Alphaflys were phenomenal I usually opt in for the Vapourflys which leave my feet bloody, blistered and bruised however the Alphaflys 3’s did not give me any problems and were allowing me to hit my pace comfortably. As per usual the under armour shorts and vest combo were incredibly comfortable and lightweight so a repeat of this attire is all good for race day.
Well done to all those that competed and a huge thank you to the event staff and marshals Hillingdon AC & Active Training World the support was amazing to see and hear and you did not disappoint. Without you all these events and achievements would not be possible so a huge kudos to you all”
Good luck at London, Ryan!
