Simon Craddock crosses the line

Simon Craddock took the plaudits as he was the first to cross the line in the 2017 Lichfield Half Marathon.

Simon Craddock crosses the line
Simon Craddock crosses the line

The Serpentine RC athlete came home in a time of 1:19:59 in the closest finish the race has seen since it began in 2011.

Craddock and Jack Greenwood broke away from the field in the final mile before a late sprint in the final few hundred metres on Stowe Field.

Elsewhere, Rachel Burchell was the first woman home in a time of 1:28:11, with Wendy Mullineux second and Michelle Stammers third.

A spokesperson for organisers KP Events said: “There was a large crowd on Stowe Field under the gaze of the magnificent Lichfield Cathedral to welcome the runners home and make the event another fantastic day for Lichfield.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.