The Yangcheng Half Marathon proved to be an great day out for the Suzhou Striders. The slight chill and drizzle may have added a bit of spice to the proceedings with a sometimes slippy surface underfoot, but the heavy rain held off, allowing the runners to focus on some cracking performances.
Leading the pack for the Striders was baitang bullet ZP who blazed through the course in an incredible 1:19:02. Super fast lady runner Maxine delivered an equally stellar performance, finishing in 1:27:27—a personal best for her, cementing her reputation as a local running superstar.
Joe Welsh ran an excellent race, clocking in at 1:21:57. Although it wasn’t a personal best for him—he holds a sub-1:20 record from around six years ago—it was his second-fastest half marathon and his best time in his current category of not-quite-a-youngster-anymore.
For speedy Swede Daniel, the day was particularly special, as he completed his very first half marathon in 1:36:10—a personal best and a significant milestone in his running journey. Singaporean artist-athlete Lawrence, narrowly missed the mark chasing his PB, finishing in a solid 1:41:09. His effort, however, remains admirable, reflecting the dedication he poured into his preparations over the proceeding weeks and months. Chris, another dedicated runner, often spotted putting in extra laps around Baitang Park early in the morning, saw his hard work pay off as he finished in 1:41:52.
Paul Craig, seasoned veteran of track, trail and tarmac, delivered a strong performance with a time of 1:43:45, adding another solid finish to his impressive and lengthy running career. Ludo, the cultured Frenchman, brought his flair and determination to the race, crossing the line in a time of 1:49:09. Close on his heels were fighting Angus, who finished with a chip time of 1:49:02, and B, who completed the course in 1:49:14.
Yue Zhenhua marked his debut in the half marathon world with an impressive time of 2:00:53, setting a strong foundation for future races. Normand flew in at 2:01:08 and the ever-determined and consistent Aurora Ma finished her run in 2:08:00, while Ben wrapped up his race in 2:05:00. Coach Michael Nietzel also ran an impressive debut half marathon, caught in the pack at the start but seen flying past the competition from km 7 onward. Stalwart parkrunner Martina demonstrated resilience and spirit, completing the half marathon in 2:32:28 with a strong finish proving a great example to daughter Stella who aced the 5k race inside 25 minutes.
One of the most inspiring stories of the day came from Bree, who finished her very first half marathon despite carrying an injury and walking most of the race from 17k on. She pushed through to cross the finish line in style—a testament to her determination and perseverance. Just in time for the team photo.
Among the 6,000 runners who participated in the event, the Suzhou Striders held their own and put in some solid performances on the day. After the race it was a quick gathering to admire medals and share war stories before escaping the cold for a hot shower and an afternoon nap. Job well done!
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