Athletics & Running Sports Section

European Police Marathon Championships

Athens - Greece - 3 November 2002

PC Alison Crook wins a gold medal the European Police Marathon in Athens. PC Alison Crook based at Penwortham, Southern Division travelled to Athens to compete in the European Police (USPE) Marathon Championships held every four years.

The event is incorporated within the annual Athens Marathon event. Alison was selected with three other colleagues for the British Police Team following her 2nd place victory in the national UK police marathon championships held in Belfast in May.
 
Alison won the ladies race in Athens in a time of 3 hours and one minute, ten minutes faster than her previous time in Belfast. This was her 2nd ever marathon race that was run over gruelling, hilly terrain in 75 degrees of sunshine and headwinds. She was also placed 8th woman overall in the main Athens Marathon event.

Alison, 30 years, is now in training for the 2003 London Marathon next April. Said Alison, "I am thrilled to bits about winning the European event but disappointed that I did not run under 3 hours. However, my goal now is to run sub-three hours in London next April".

PC Darren Hale, from Blackpool, Western Division was also selected to run in Athens and ran one his best races finishing in 2 hours 32 minutes. Despite the very strong performance he was placed 15th in the race that was won by a Ukrainian police officer in 2 hours 24 minutes.