The Sandford-on-Thames River Run
The annual village fun run, over 3 or 5 miles, organised by a very active local participant,
has been running since 1990, and in that time over 260 people have taken part.
The race begins on the last Saturday in June, in the late afternoon,
starting and finishing from the sports field by the village hall.
The runners register, and collect their colour coded race numbers, for the 3 or 5 mile race.
The small entry fee is waived for the sponsored runners.
A lot of people choose to run (most of the way),
but some entrants choose to contribute to the funds raised
with a more relaxed approach, by walking the 3 mile course.
The course is mainly along the river:
The runners begin by following Church Road down to the river through the Kings Arms pub car park,
cross over the river at the lock and then follow the towpath over the bridge,
then left along the river bank towards Radley.
The course follows the towpath as far as the first check point,
(position A on the map, where refreshments are available)
this is half way for the 3 mile runners who turn around and
race back, the way they came, to the finish line.
The 5 mile runners carry on, following the footpath, across the field.
They then turn left along the road and continue as far as the second check point
(position B on the map, where again refreshments are available).
They then turn left, follow the road back down to the river
by Radley boat house, where they turn left, follow the towpath
back past the first check point and on to the finish line.
When all the runners return and the results are in,
(an hour or so after the start) a short presentation takes place:
The Sandford Shield is awarded to the first 5 mile runner to return,
and the first lady to return is awarded the Sandford Cup.
Medals are given to the younger members, set in three age groups,
and there is also a tankard for the veteran runners.
A presentation is also made for the Sandford Bowl which is given for services to the community.
The 'Vicars Collection Plate' is awarded to the runner with the highest sponsorship.
The funds raised from the entry fee or sponsorship have helped with the
village hall, the youth club, and also the church tower.
Some current course records are:
| Over 3 miles: |
| Adult | Sue Norton | 19.30 | (1992) |
| Youth | James Fenn [12] | 20.55 | (2000) |
| Youth | Paul Davis [10] | 22.20 | (2004) |
| Youth | Georgie Gibbons [8] | 23.30 | (1992) |
| Over 5 Miles: |
| Adult | Steve Bull | 27:46 | (1994) |
| Youth | Tom Baker [9] | 28:30 | (2000) |
Note:
Times for the 5 mile race are denoted by a colon
and times over 3 miles are denoted by a decimal point.
Example 23:30 is twenty three and a half minutes over 5 miles,
and 45.-- is forty five minutes over 3 miles.
Figures in square brackets, represents a younger runners age.
Example [12] is 12 years old, [u10] is under 10s, [5-7] is the five to seven age group, etc.
General results for years:
30 June 1990
Winner of the 5 mile race and the The Sandford Gold Cup was Andrew Hope
Winner of the 3 mile race was Robert Preece in 22.40
The first Lady was Bev Cook
In the young people's division medals were won by:
For the [11-13] Tom Duff and Robert King equal 1st in 22.21
The [8-10] was Robert Preece
And [5-7] were David Preece and Chris Hackett in 27.25
The award for the youngest [5yrs] finisher went to Julie Cook 29.38
29 June 1991
Winner of the 5 mile race and the The Sandford Gold Cup was Ben Hope [14yrs] in 29:32
Winner of the 3 mile race was Andy Hacket 24.40
The first Lady over 3 miles was Sandra Bowyer
The Youth Division was won by Martyn Akrigg in 22.14
Youngers' Division by Chris Hackett in 22.57 [8yrs]
Julie Cook, [6yrs] again won the under-10 girls in 31.38
The over-50s was won by the Vicar
27 June 1992
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Ben Hope
Winner over 3 Miles was John Rudman in 28 mins
The first Lady over 3 miles was Sue Norton in a record 19.30
The Youth 3 mile race was won by Robert King and Barrie Rose, 22.30
In the under 11 divisions, Chris Hackett again won in an excellent 22.30
The Juniors race was won by Georgie Gibbons [8yrs] in 23.30
Youngest finisher [5yrs] was by Amy Gibbons 26.30
Winner of the over-40s was Andrew Hope
27 June 1993
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Kevin Webb in 33:15
Winner over 3 Miles [u10] was Georgie Gibbons in 22.38
The first Lady was Hilary O'Shea in 37:22
The under 16s was won by Chris Hackett and Kenneth Hale (equal 1st) in 44.11
The under l0s (3 miles) by Georgie Gibbons in 22.38;
The youngest competitor award, again went to Amy Gibbons [6] in 31.13.
Matthew Wilkinson won the over 40s in 38.55 and
The vicar, again won the over 50s in 43.37.
25 June 1994
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Steve Bull in 27:46
The 7-10 year old's 3 miles, Daniel Welch winning gold in 24.48
The teenage 3-mile was won by Chris Hackett in 23.45,
Georgie Gibbons, [10yrs] doing the 5 miles in a remarkable 36 mins.
Amy Gibbons, again the youngest competitor, 32 mins
Melvyn Turner won the over 50's in 43
24 June 1995
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Steve Bull in 28:30
First Lady was Joanna Dixon in 35 mins
Youth gold went to Georgie Gibbons (5 miles)
The Sandford Young Athlete of the Year award was won by Georgie Gibbons (33.50)
Children's gold to Aline Smith (25.40)
Youngest fast finisher medal to Amy again, as last year
The over 50s winner was Mike Dixon won in 35 mins
And the oldest competitor award went to the Vicar at 43.30
29 June 1996
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Georgie Gibbons 32:38 [12]
First Ladies 5-milers were Sarah Grylls and Heather Mitchell, both on 45:10
In the 10-12 division Daniel Welch achieved 24.16
Youth division (5-9) was won fast by Matthew Daglish and Gregory Boyle in 25.10
Youngest Competitor medal to Mark Wilmot in 42.14
28 June 1997
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Grant Edwards in 32:31
First Ladies over 5 miles was Kelly Caffel in 33:44
And of the 3 miles was Sue Norton in 25.55
Youth medals to:
Daniel Welch [13yrs] in 25.40,
Nicola Rolston [15yrs] in 41.47)
Laura Rolston and Gemma Turner [13yrs] in 45.32 (same age, same time)
The Young People's race (under 12s) was won by Martin Judd [10yrs] in 26.30
Kieran O'Donahue, [6yrs] took 45.40 to win the youngest competitor award
Mike Dixon won the Golden Oldie Sandford Rosebowl.
20 June 1998
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Steve Bull in 31:24
Winner over 3 Miles was James Fenn in 22.40 [10yrs]
Ladies 5 miles Katherine Carpenter 42:18
Youth medals went to:
Junior gold went to Laurence Hutton [7yrs] in 31.03
Kieran O'Donahue, [6yrs] in 36.34 and wins the 'most improved junior award'
The over 55s division was hotly contested, all running the 5 miles,
with little to choose between Church Treasurer Mike Dixon, the Vicar,
and multi-grandfather Alan Butler, who was awarded the Sandford Rose Bowl
26 June 1999
Winner of The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Matthew Wilkinson in 34:10
First Lady was Claire Williams in 28.42
Winning the Fastest Youth gold medal was Greg Boyle in 34.35
Under 14s Martin Judd in 24.30
Under 11s: Matthew Daglish in 23.06;
Under 9s Tom Baker in 25.25
The 'Tankard for the oldest competitor most in need of a drink' was won by Alan Butler
The mini-tankard was won by Mike Dixon, for a heroic performer in the over 55s division
The Sandford Rose Bowl, this year given for 'the greatest encourager of youth', went to Paul Daglish
The Vicar's Collection Plate, for the highest sponsorship, was won by Rosie Kirkbride
24 June 2000
Winner of the The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Mark Baker [15] in 28:30
Winner over 3 Miles was James Fenn [12] in 20.55
First Lady was Sue Norton in 23.23
The fastest girl was Faye Donoghue [11] in 27.39
The under-l0s was won by Thomas Baker, [9], who amazingly ran 5 miles in 28.30
And the youngest competitor and completer medal went to Sian Riley, [5yrs]
The most-in-need-of-a-drink tankard to Steph Chambers
the Norton smaller tankard for more abstemious drinkers to Mike Dixon in 37.24 for raising
so much for the Church Tower
The Sandford Rose Bowl for the encouragement of youth, to Michelle Robson, leader of the Youth Club.
The vicar's plate for highest sponsorship to Sam Hutton on last year's performance and next years hopes.
30 June 2001
Winner of the The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Mark Baker in 30:02
First Lady over 3-miles was Dr Louise Quested in 31.23
In the Under 10s, gold went to Simon Wilkinson in 28.00
James Fenn [13yrs] ran 5 miles in 34.04
The over 10s was won by Matthew Daglish in 21.38
The youngest competitor medal again went to Sian Riley [6]
The not-long-empty tankard for the top coach went to London-Paris-New York marathon near winner
Dr Matthew Wilkinson, for his achievements with the under 10s
The long- service award went to Vince Boyle for several years' work on this event
The elders' race was again won by Alan Butler in 47.33
The Sandford bowl for services to the community this year went to Nigel and Claire Rolston
The Vicar's collection-plate for fund- raising went to Maurice and Richard Earp for
the Quiz Night and £30 to Youth Club.
29 June 2002
Winner of the The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Mark Baker in 29:22
Winner over 3 Miles was Matthew Daglish [13] in 21.53
First Lady was Joanna Edwards nee Dixon in 36.42
James Fenn, [14yrs] in 32:42 won the 12-14 year-olds gold medal
The 11 year-olds and under was won by Mark Willmot [11yrs] in 22.25
The youngest competitor was Sian Riley for the third year
Mike Dixon won the half empty tankard
A new record over 5 miles was set in the over-60s race by John Creed in 35:43
The over-50s awards went to Keith Baker (mini-bowl for best family team effort)
The Sandford Rose Bowl for services to the community was awarded to Dr Julie Wilkinson
for running the Youth Club this year and many other services rendered - family
effort - so thanks Ben and Matthew too.
The Vicar's Plate for sponsorship was won by both Rosie Kirkbride and Sandra Evans
28 June 2003
Winner of the The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Mark Baker in 29:52
Winner over 3 Miles was Mark Wilmot in 22.11 [12-14]
The prize for the First Lady was not contested this year
The under 12s gold went to Paul Davis [9] in 26.11
The youngest competitor was Sian Riley for the fourth year
The half empty tankard went to Jim Davis, 30.57, for beating the vicar for the first time
The over 70s division inaugurated and won by John Davis
26 June 2004
Winner of the The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Geoff Raynham in 34:48
Winner over 3 Miles was Paul Davis in 22.20 [10]
The prize for the First Lady was won by Catherine Shelley in 36:54
The under 12s gold also went to Paul Davis [9] in 22.20
The youngest competitor was Sian Riley for the fifth year.
The half empty tankard went to Jim Davis, 30.44, for beating the vicar again.
The Sandford Bowl was not returned, but would have been awarded to Naomi
Crawford, whose efforts with the Youth Club have been so much appreciated.
Sponsorship plate to Sian Riley, who visited every house in her
neighbourhood...
25 June 2005
Winner of the The Sandford Challenge Shield over 5 Miles was Tom Baker in 34:09
Winner over 3 Miles was Paul Davis in 22.07 [11]
The prize for the First Lady (and Mother's Cup) was won by Nicola Kirkbride (nee Cafel) in 34:14
The fastest girl was Vivi Goodyer [14] in 26.06
THe Youth Cup by Harriet Boyle in 29.10
The youngest competitor was Sian Riley [10]
The half empty tankard went to John Davis for winning the over-70s race.
The Sandford Plate for services to the village went to Michelle Robson.
The Church Plate for highest sponsorship was again won by Sian Riley.
24 June 2006
The Sandford Shield was won by Giles Chalk of River view, a first time entry, in 32:22
The three mile race was won by Mark Wilmot aged 15 in 21.43
The fastest young mother was Michelle Robson in 32.58
The fastest girl was Sian Riley aged 11 in 27.02
Jim Davis 29.28 was awarded the half empty tankard.
The Vicar's Plate for highest sponsorship was again won by Sian.
30 June 2007
The winner of the Sandford shield was again Giles Chalk in 30:25
The Sarah Grylls cup for the fastest woman over five miles was won by Amelia Parsons in 37:40
The Parish Clerk's cup for outstanding teenage performance was won by Mark Wilmot, aged 16, in 34:16
and the most promising youngster cup by Sian Riley, aged 12, who ran the 5 miles in 43:56
The over-60s 5 mile race was won by Mike Dixon in 45:10
Gold medal in the youth division (11-16) was taken by Christian Riley in 23.35
and gold in the primary division (5-10) was Nathan Chalmers in 29.52
The award for the youngest competitor to complete 3 miles was Toby Patterson, aged 6, in 38.10
The Vicar's Plate for highest sponsorship was won by Sian Riley.
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