Once again, we are indebted to Langport Runners legend and Men’s Team Captain Mike Norton, who reports direct from the Giant’s Head Half and Marathon which took place on 25th June 2022.

A number of our Runners were at the White Star Running’s Flagship event, the Famous Giant’s Head Marathon. It was my 3rd run on this beautifully scenic and rather hilly course. The Marathon is part of a weekend of events which also includes a Half Marathon, 10k and bell race. If you want to partake you can go camping and enjoy a Barn dance. It’s hosted in the small village of Sydling St. Nicholas, a little over the County line in Dorset and the community literally opens their doors to the runners from Friday through to Sunday.

Normally with WSR you get bonus miles the first year I did it was 28+ miles, more if you went wrong and I did and about 27 miles last time this time due to a reroute it came up a little shot just a fraction under 26 miles. The weather was pretty good and we had a bit of rain in the days before which dampened the dust down and we had a warmish day but with some cloud cover and cool breeze which kept the nasty bitey flies down. The first 16k is pretty good you get a flat start for about 500 metres before the first massive hill and then it is fairly undulating but nothing too drastic. We ran past the infamous Cerne Giant and his impressive manhood! at 13k (disappointingly faded, he needs a white wash) and then you climb up the side of the hill with some splendid views on your right. The ground is quite technical in places and very stony you need to keep concentrating that is for sure. The second half of the course is tougher but the aid stations are well stocked especially at the love station where we had cider and Snaps and not far from the end a pop up Pimms bar! The finish line is on the Village green and if you like Ice Cream then you are in for an absolute treat they are massive!

I thoroughly enjoyed my run it was a great day out. Thanks to Bill Farmer who kept me company for the race and Martin Gibson for the first half and well done to all our runners!

Results Marathon

Runner           Position Time
Mark King       42          4:28 (He was doing 100k the following week!)
Neal Stayner   89         4:51
Selina Jervis   90         4:51 (15th lady)
Ben Fogwill    142        5:17
Sam Pusar     156       5:22
Mike Norton    253       5:57
Bill Farmer      254       5:57
Martin Gibson 311       6:34

Results Half

Helen Thomsit 170 2:40