Johnstone enjoys Midnight Marathon success

The Portsmouth-based runner took the victory in the Second Wind Running event hosted at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean.

A total of 128 runners completed the event with a great atmosphere on a nice night that was slightly on the warm side for some.

Run director Phil Hoy and his team of volunteers put on two fantastic events with the marathon and earlier the Gravel Hill 5 race.

Johnstone finished the Midnight Marathon with a time of 3hr 30min 20sec.

Matthew Cheyney, of Denmead Striders, finished second in 3.38.30, with Chichester’s Lee Sydenham in third place and also first male 40 (3.46.25).

Sheffield’s Helen Pickford finished first lady with a time of 4.05.49 with Jenni Cox second 4.37.52.

Portsmouth Joggers duo Nicola Thomas and Emma Brewin finished together in a time of 4.52.39.

Stubbington’s Mike White finished first male 50 in a time of 3.53.55.

In the Gravel Hill 5 race Winchester’s Toby Lambert showed his class with an impressive time of 29.08.

The five-mile race starts with a tough climb for a mile up to the highest point in the country park.

Then the course allows the runners to stretch out on some nice downhill sections back to the finish.

Denmead’s Julian Manning took second place with a 30.30 time and Southampton’s Tom Cully finished third in 31.50.

Southampton’s Sarah Kingston had a good run as she finished first lady in a time of 35.22 with Camille King second (39.54).

Portsmouth Joggers runner Tony Conway and a dedicated group took on his mammoth weekend challenge of a parkun, the Gravel Hill 5 race, the marathon, and then a few hours later the World Emoji Day Run which took place at Staunton Country Park, in Havant.