STILES BEATS THE JINX

AMY STILES can now look forward to the London Marathon with confidence after finally burying her Bath half marathon jinx.
The 30-year-old Chippenham international to have another go at the race that has always beaten her paid off as she smashed her personal best by 43 seconds.
Her impressive time of 73mins 59secs wasn’t good enough to earn her victory on the day with Scottish international Susan Partridge out-sprinting Kenyan favourite Catherine Mutwa.
But Stiles was delighted with her time and performance - and at last having a decent run in her home race.
“I have some nightmare runs in Bath,” said Stiles.
“I remember the first time I did I only managed around 82 minutes and was almost over-taken by my coach Bruce Tulloh.
“On another occasion I had to stop three times because I was feeling sick. I had never run well in Bath so I have avoided it for the last three of four years.
“That is why I’m really pleased to have finally cracked it today. I would have loved to have won but I can’t be disappointed with my time and third place.
“I think I’ve got rid of that jinx now!”
Stiles’ run was even more impressive in view of the fact that she is in the midst of moving house and had to rush home after the race to continue packing boxes ready for the big move this morning and also preparing to get married in May.
She has also come off a period of heavy training in Portugal with the ultimate aim of beating her PB of 2:44:11 in the London Marathon next month. If yesterday’s run is anything to go by then another PB is definitely looming.
“I actually ran three PBs in yesterday’s race as I went through 10k in 34mins 34secs, 10 miles in 55:57 and then the final time,” added Stiles.
“I was with the leaders until nine miles when they just eased away. It was very tough coming back into the city as we were running into the wind.
“I’m sure there’s more time to come off that and all in all it proves I’m on the right course for London.”
Surprise winner, Partridge, is also preparing for London, where she is hoping to run under 2hrs 40mins and qualify for the Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne, next year.
“That’s the time I need to run to get into the Scottish team,” said Partridge.
“I made my marathon debut in London last year and ran 2:41:44. I’m feeling a lot stronger now and today I have run a PB so it is a real confidence-booster for London.
“I really enjoyed the race and it was a fast course.”
It required a sprint finish by the Scot to nip past Mutwa in the closing 50 metres, an effort that earned her the £1,000 first prize and an additional bonus of £500 as the first British runner home.
Stiles collected a bonus of £350 as second Brit on top of her £300 for finishing third. She also led the Bristol and West AC team to victory to ensure a decent pay day of £700.
Far from being a jinx, the Helphire Bath half marathon proved to be a very rewarding experience for the popular Chippenham athlete.