Field of 500 tackle rearranged Guernsey Half Marathon

Will Bodkin led home a field of more than 500 runners in Sunday's rearranged Butterfield Half Marathon in Guernsey.

The middle-distance specialist finished in one hour, 12 minutes, 35 seconds to claim his first victory in the event, which was pushed back from its traditional Father's Day slot this year because of the pandemic.

"It was my first one - I've done them in training but never that hard, I'm probably more well known as a 1500/5k runner", said the 28-year-old.

"It's just about pacing yourself, just like everyone else today, picking a pace you think you can run the whole way and just focusing on that and not getting carried away".

Nick Mann was second overall on the day, one-and-a-half minutes behind Bodkin, with Sammy Galpin completing the men's podium.

On the women's side, Jenny James was first across the line in a time of one hour, 22 minutes, 43 seconds.

"The main aim really was to run strongly, finish strongly and enjoy it and I definitely did that", said James, 40.

"We're so lucky that they postponed it rather than cancelled it, and if you look at the UK - we're so fortunate here and that's one of the main reasons I wanted to race today".

"When you're at home and your family are on the sidelines, that's always helpful, and you just get such good support on this course", she said.

Rosie Williams, champion in Guernsey's All Terrain Challenge a few weeks ago, was second, and Liz Dudin third.

In total, 504 runners finished the 13.1-mile race, which started in torrential rain at L'Eree, and finished in sunshine in St Peter Port.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event, and the first mass participation road race held in the island since lockdown.

• Watch: More than 500 runners set off from L'Eree for the start of the 2020 Butterfield Half Marathon