The fourteenth running of the Breakfast Run, with sponsors Whole Foods Market on board for the first time, saw in excess of 3,000 runners take to the streets of Kingston over a distance of 8.2 or 16 miles.
Traditionally used by many as part of their build-up to the Virgin London Marathon, cool temperatures made for perfect running conditions and saw some fast times posted, along with PB’s set right through the field.
A staggered start saw the 8.2 mile race begin at 8am, with Mark Gray (Thameside RC) taking the win in 48:27, just eight seconds ahead of Jonathan Potts in second. Gavin Brigstocke came through in 48:59 for third place. In the women’s race, Claire Simm (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) took the win in 57:01 ahead of Barbara Pirkle in 57:34 and Chris Andrews in 58:37.
The elite women’s race started a couple of minutes before the main field and Samantha Amend (Belgrave Harriers) quickly built a commanding lead to win in 1:37:45 for tenth place overall. Lucie Custance (Clapham Chasers) was next over the line in 1:42:31, just holding off Clare Mullenger (Wimbledon Windmilers) who took third in 1:42:34.
The men’s race saw a blistering run from Phil Wicks (Belgrave Harriers) to take the win in 1:20:47, smashing the course record in the process. James Brown (Thames Turbo) was second in 1:31:29 and Justin West (Stragglers) rounded off the podium in 1:32:53.
The first five male and female runners at both distances received a Whole Foods Market Trophy Hamper packed full of goodies and the morning saw thousands of happy runners follow them across the line, receiving their Breakfast Run mug and Whole Foods Market goodie bag as they did. Maria Ellis, taking on her first Breakfast Run and finishing in 3:11:43 for the 16 mile distance said; “It was such a good experience – the marshals were great and the support was brilliant. I finished in a fast time (for me) and really enjoyed the whole thing. Thanks to everyone for making it such a wonderful experience!”
The Market Square in Kingston remained packed full of runners and spectators until well into the afternoon as the crowds enjoyed the atmosphere (and freebies!) around the Whole Foods Market stall and Compressport Recovery Zone as they cheered the back-markers home.
Provisional results for both distances are now on our Results & Gallery Page and images of the action can be found both on the Human Race site and at www.facebook.com/humanraceevents
16 Mile Men's Results
| Position | Name | Club | Finish Time |
| 1 | Phil Wicks |
Belgrave Harriers |
1:20:47 |
| 2 | James Brown |
Thames Turbo |
1:31:29 |
| 3 | Justin West |
Stragglers | 1:32:53 |
16 Mile Women's Results
| Position | Name | Club | Finish Time |
| 1 | Samantha Amend |
Belgrave Harriers |
1:37:45 |
| 2 | Lucie Custance |
Clapham Chasers |
1:42:31 |
| 3 | Claire Mullenger |
Wimbledon Windmillers |
1:42:34 |
8.2 Mile Men's Results
| Position | Name | Club | Finish Time |
| 1 | Mark Gray |
Thameside RC |
0:48:27 |
| 2 | Jonathan Potts |
0:48:35 | |
| 3 | Gavin Brigstocke |
0:48:59 |
8.2 Mile Women's Results
| Position | Name | Club | Finish Time |
| 1 | Claire Simm |
Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers |
0:57:01 |
| 2 | Barbara Pirkle |
0:57:34 | |
| 3 | Chris Andrews |
0:58:37 |
Women's Running review of the 2011 Whole Foods Market Breakfast Run
