Marathon success by half

Despite a drizzly weather start to this years Birmingham Half Marathon and the IAAF World Half Marathon they have both been a great success with 13,000 runners running the half marathon course through South Birmingham.



In the IAAF World Half Marathon race Eritrean Zersenay Tadese lowered the championship record by 21 seconds to finish in 59 minutes and 35 seconds. Kenyan Bernard Kipyego came second with Andrew Lemoncello the first Briton home in 26th, Tadese seals half marathon treble.

Paula Radcliffe, who missed the race due to tonsillitis, had her championship record smashed by pre-race favourite Kenyan Mary Keitany who led from start to finish and finished in one hour, six minutes and 36 seconds.

The drizzle meanwhile didn't stop crowds gathering along the route to cheer on the 13,000 runners.

The following pictures were taken about 5 1/2 miles into the route near Dogpool Lane on the Pershore Road.









There is a flickr group for photos of the half marathon showing more scenes from the race: EDF Birmingham Half Marathon 2009