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28 October 2014

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25 April 2004

Stratford's Shakespeare marathon in pictures

Runners start the 2004 Shakespeare marathon

Thousands of runners pounded the roads of South Warwickshire for the 23rd Shakespeare Marathon. And all in baking conditions too.

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Shakespeare Marathon official site

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Click here for the pictures from the 2005 Shakespeare Marathon

Thousands of athletes took part in this year's Shakespeare marathon which came at the end of Stratford's celebration of the famous bard's birthday.

And with the sunshine beating down constantly, many found the going quite tough.

The marathon has been held by the Rotary Club of Stratford since 1982.

Getting underway

Over 2,700 competitiors began the race which offered the choice of both a half and full marathon because of the looped circuit.


	Former Coventry striker Dion Dublin

The race got underway at 1pm next door to the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Former Coventry City striker Dion Dublin sounded the klaxon to set the competitiors on their way.

And after a short loop around the town centre the runners headed out towards Welford as the race got into full swing.

Under starters orders

Check out our gallery from the start of the race by clicking on the images below.

End for the half marathon runners

While the rest of Stratford's visitors basked by the waterfront in the glorious sunshine, competitiors were clocking up the miles.

From the town centre they followed the route through Luddington, Welford and back again.


	One of the fastest runners finishing the race

And just an hour and a quarter after Dion had set the runners on their way, the top men began to arrive in the recreation ground to finish the half-marathon.

Simon Mrashami was the first home in a time of 1:11:51 - just under two minutes ahead of Gary Payne who was the top placed male over the age of 40!

Michelle Awuye was the first woman home.

Slowly but surely more and more runners began arriving in the park which lies across from the RST on the opposite bank of the River Avon.

And those running were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of friends, family and onlookers.

The end of the road

Did we capture you or someone you know at the end of the half-marathon? Why not check out our gallery of pictures by clicking on the images button below.

Full marathon

The first man home in the full-marathon was Richard Browne in in a time os 2:49:21 and he was over four minutes ahead of second placed Howard Roberts.

The first female home was Alison Stedman who finished twentieth overall.

489 brave runners finished the full course which also took them through Long Marston.


	Time for some rest

Rest, rest, rest

There were plenty of drinks and bananas on hand for the athletes who had completed the grueling course.

And with many athletes running for charity, it will be time to start collecting all of that well earned sponsorship money.

Well done to all those who completed the course.

In that heat we really do salute you all.

It was a mammoth effort - especially by those who managed the full marathon.

So the question is - same time next year?!!