There were 25 marathon runners, two relay teams and just over 20 half-marathon runners.
However, some directional arrows were removed in the second part of the marathon course which resulted in the leading man – Jyri Laine, a visitor from Finland – taking the wrong route and arriving back at the finish much too early.
- Autism is a very complicated condition. It affects how a person communicates, interacts and understands the world around them.
- Autism is a life-long developmental disability. There is no cure, but a range of interventions is available throughout childhood and as an adult.
- It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways.
- Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives, but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support.
- People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
- Four times as many boys as girls are diagnosed with autism.
- The number of diagnosed cases of autism has increased during the past 20 years, reportedly because of more accurate diagnoses.
He was offered the chance of starting back with the leading pack, but decided to pull out.
The event was eventually won by Eliot Lincoln in 3hr 00 min 02 sec, with Ann Brien winning the women’s event (3.44.12).
Runners were fortunate to have the wind behind them for most of the half-marathon from Gorey along the coast road, St Aubin’s seafront, Railway Walk to Les Quennevais.
The marathon runners continued on to l’Etacq and had a head wind and a steep hill to face on their return to Les Quennevais.
The winners of the men’s and women’s half-marathon were James Lynch (1.30.49) and Sue Le Ruez (1.45.29).
Mandy Evans and Brenton Lee won the marathon team relay (3.08.40).
Organiser Digby Ellis-Brecknell said that the removal of signs was a problem he had encountered with other races and was extremely frustrating.
‘It’s a constant problem and just ruins it for people,’ he said.
Other than that he was pleased with the way the event went, saying that it had been a trial run of a new course which participants seemed to enjoy.
He added that he was not sure yet how much money had been raised for the charity.
MEANWHILE, more than 200 Islanders – and two Star Wars Stormtroopers – took part in Autism Jersey’s ‘L’Etacq and Back’ walk to raise money and awareness for the organisation yesterday.
Before the walkers set off, dozens of Islanders gathered at Le Braye beach to have their photograph taken as they marked out a giant number 10 in recognition of the charity’s tenth anniversary.
The walkers raised a total of £2,000 through donations and sponsorship on the day.
The event was part of the charity’s Do Something Awesome for Autism campaign, which has involved numerous fundraising events, including yesterday’s marathon and half-marathon.
Beth Gallichan, fundraising and marketing manager for Autism Jersey, said she was delighted with the walk and how Islanders had supported the month-long campaign.
‘It was excellent and there was a fantastic turn-out – and the weather was nice, too,’ she said.
‘We had the two Stormtroopers helping out and the Jersey Sandman drew the Autism Jersey logo into the sand underneath our giant number 10.
‘We have been delighted with the response this month and it has been a great awareness campaign. I hope people now understand a bit more about Autism Jersey and what we do.’
Islander Jonathan Huelin was the first walker to finish the 6.6 mile round-trip, completing it in 1 hour 21 minutes.
