THE 2017 Waters Wilmslow Half Marathon has been won by Mohammed Abu-Rezeq and Fanni Gyurko, improving on their third-place finishes of last year.

Altrincham and District Athletics Club’s Abu-Rezeq took the men’s title for the second time, having also won in 2014.

His time, 66:27, was nine seconds slower than when he finished third last year and 21 seconds behind his triumph of three years ago.

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Windy conditions along the 13.1-mile route heading out of the King’s Road start would not have helped his time but it was enough to edge out Sale Harriers’ Matt Bond, 66:31, while third-placed Stockport Harriers runner Andrew Davies was a further minute behind.

Although Abu-Rezeq took the lead early in the race, he had Bond breathing down his neck with 400 metres to go before the Altrincham man pulled away.

Knutsford Guardian:

Mohammed Abu-Rezeq appraches the finish line as the winner of the 2017 Waters Wilmslow Half Marathon. Picture by Mike Boden

Abu-Rezeq is no stranger to race wins, having also been victorious in the Dewsbury 10K and Four Villages Half Marathon in Helsby this year.

And his half marathon successes in 2016 included Northwich, Leeds and Alloa.

Thirty-year-old Budapest-born Gyurko, who now lives in Scotland, claimed her first half marathon women’s title since Inverness 12 months ago.

Knutsford Guardian:

Fanni Gyurko approaches the finish line

Gyurko, once a top 30 finisher in the World Orienteering Championships, clocked 78:11, finishing more than a minute ahead of Oswestry Olympians’ Alison Lavender, 79:32.

In third place was Leigh Harriers’ Dionne Allen, 80:34.

Peter Speake was the first finisher from race organisers Wilmslow Running Club, registering 75:02 to finish as third fastest over 40s runner and 29th overall.

For the first time in many years pacers were used for a variety of time bands, allowing both club and fun runners to work together in the aim of achieving personal bests. 

Speake was one of 20 Wilmsow Running Club athletes taking part as a pacer, his role being for sub 75-minute runners.

The first Wilmslow woman home was Janine Ellis in 93.11.

First veteran male home was Rob Affleck of Preston Harriers in 72.25, while first woman over 35 was Margaret Beever of Stainland Lions in 84.02.

The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is set to benefit to the tune of thousands of pounds as this year's event charity.