Half marathon winner impressed by crowds' support

The winner of the Coventry half marathon was really impressed by the support from crowds despite the rainy weather, he says.

Alistair McDonnell, from Rugby, won the men's 13.1m (20.9km) race on Sunday morning, starting in Gosford Street before crossing the finish outside the cathedral.

He said the city's half marathon was one of the first events he completed after he first took up running.

"To come back a few years later and run [the half marathon], it's remarkable," he added.

The event, held by Jane Tomlinson's Run For All, aims to get more people enjoying the benefits of being active along with increasing charity engagement.

Amanda Deavy, from Coventry's Northbrook Runners, was the first woman to complete the event.

She ran with her friend Steve and said she was determined to keep up her pace during the event.

"All I kept thinking was keep my form, keep my form and don't trip over," she added.

And a bit of fancy dress was also involved in the half marathon with runner Mark completing the event in an elephant hat.

He said he loved the event, which had a community feel and had his heart as a kid from Coventry.

The Coventry City fan added he had decided to wear the hat so his family could easily identify him.

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