Claire Hallissey, a PhD student in the University’s Department of Pathology and Microbiology, won the women’s race in the Bristol Half Marathon [Sunday 6 September 2009]. Claire finished the 13.1-mile course in one hour, 12 minutes and three seconds. Over 16,000 people took part in the marathon in all.

Claire has now qualified to take part in the World Half Marathon in Birmingham later this year. It was also the first win ever, in the men’s or women’s races, that a Bristol-based runner has won.

Claire has been a member of the University’s high-performance programme for the past two years. Her coach is Keith Brackstone, who has been the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health’s athletics coach, since retiring as General Manager of the Students’ Union.

In addition to Claire’s triumph, the University’s Sports Medicine Clinic was prominent in helping runners with physiotherapy and massage after the race. The clinic is the 'official' provider of sports medicine support at the race.