Claire Hallissey's victory in the 2009 Bristol half marathon in a personal best of 72mins 02secs was the third fastest time in the history of the event and the quickest ever by a local athlete, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 26-year-old Bristol & West AC runner described the win as he best of her career and there is little doubt that the stats back up her claim.

Only Kenyan Jane Muia (70:26) and Olympic marathon runner Liz Yelling (70:46) have run quicker in the women's race, and such was the quality of Hallissey's run that she moves above the likes of British internationals Mara Yamauchi, Louise Damen and Birhan Dagne in the top 10 list.

"I think with more confidence and training then there is no doubt in my mind that Claire will run even faster," said coach Keith Brackstone.

"At the World Championships she will be surrounded by top-class international runners, so Claire can get her head down and tuck in with a group and see what that brings her. I'm sure there is much more to come from here."

As reported in Monday's Evening Post, Hallissey's victory was the first by a local woman in this decade, and since the race attained national importance after 2001. But she is not the first local girl to enjoy victory on home soil as, in the infancy of the event, there were wins for the popular Westbury Harrier and Kiwi international Lesley Morton (1992) and Saltford-based Scottish runner Karen Macleod (1993).

On the men's side, those early years saw wins for Bristol AC team-mates Wayne Buxton and Nick Rose in 1990 and 1991 respectively, while Westbury Harriers' Bruce Chinnick came top in 1995.

"Most of the leading athletes in the race came from the South West and there was not much of a crowd watching in those days," said Buxton.

"There were no goody bags given out or T-shirts for finishers, no Batman or Superman (costumes) or blokes in girly wigs. It did not have the great community spirit it has now days."

It is unlikely that Hallissey would have run 72:02 on that old course either, and it will be interesting to see how much she can deliver in the years to come.

Bristol half marathon winners – men: 1989 Steve Brace (Bridgend) 68:36; 1990 Wayne Buxton (Bristol AC) 71:22; 1991 Nick Rose (Bristol AC) 67:51; 1992 Gideon Matisya (Kenya) 64:08; 1993 Lazarus Nyakeraka (Kenya) 63:39; 1994 Charles Tangus (Kenya) 66:12; 1995 Bruce Chinnick (Westbury) 66:12; 1996 Martin Cox (Salford); 1997 Kassa Tadessa (Belgrave) 64:52; 1998 Tadessa 66:36; 1999 Wilson Cheriyot (Kenya) 65:44; 2000 Nick Wetheridge (Basildon) 64:09; 2001 Geoffry Kinyua (Kenya) 65:09; 2002 Hilary Lelie (Kenya) 65:30; 2003 Julius Kibet (Kenya) 62:52; 2004 Simon Tonui (Kenya) 64:18; 2005 Wilfred Taragon (Kenya) 63:30; 2006 Patrick Makau (Kenya) 63:30; 2007 Tewodros Shiferaw (Ethiopia) 63:01; 2008 Tom Payne (Winchester) 65:48.; 2009 Eezekie Cherop (Kenya) 63:25.

Women: 1989 Bronwen Cardy-Wise (B&R) 80:05; 1990 Zina Marchant (City of Bath) 78:47; 1991 Cathy Newman (Exeter) 78:14; 1992 Lesley Morton (Westbury) 76:05; 1993 Karen MacLeod (Edinburgh) 75:00; 1994 Danielle Sanderson (Watford) 74:47; 1995 Maureen Laney (Avon Valley Runners) 82:40; 1996 Olga Mitchurina (Russia) 73:56; 1997 Trudi Thompson (Pitreavie) 78:36; 1998 Laura Woffenden (Leeds) 80:08; 1999 Newman 77:37; 2000 Andrea Green (Dartford) 73:28; 2001 Green 74:56; 2002 Emily Samoie (Kenya) 76:43; 2003 Miryan Wangari (Kenya) 72:22; 2004 Wangari 73:40; 2005 Birhan Dagne (Belgrave) 72:53; 2006 Cathy Mutwa (Kenya) 72:35; 2007Jane Muia (Kenya) 70:26; 2008 Dagne 74:18; 2009 Claire Hallissey (B&W) 72:02.

Fastest times – top 10 men: 1993 Charles Tangus (Kenya) 62:45; 2003 Julius Kibet (Kenya) 62:52; 2005 Wilfred Taragon (Kenya) 63:30; 2003 Onesmus Kilonzo (Kenya) 63:36; 2006 Patrick Makau (Kenya) 63:38; 1993 Lazarus Nyakeraka (Kenya) 63:39; 1993 Sam Carey (Warrington) 63:42; 2006 Teredos Shiferaw (Ethiopia) 63:48; 1992 Gideon Matisya (Kenya) 64:08; 1992 David Mungai (Kkenya) 64:08.

Top three fastest locals: 2003 Ben Noad (Bristol) 64:30; 1995 Bruce Chinnick (Westbury) 66:12; 2005 Kevin Heywood (B&W) 66:22.

Top 10 women: 2007Jane Muia (Kenya) 70:26; 2007 Liz Yelling (Bedford) 70:46; 2009 Claire Hallissey 72:02; 2003 Miryam Wangari (Kenya) 72:22; 2003 Mara Yamauchi (Harrow) 72:33; 2006 Cathy Mutwa (Kenya) 72:35; 2007 Louise Damen (Winchester) 72:45; 2009 Joice Kirui 72:52; 2005 Birhan Dagne (Belgrave) 72:53; 2007 Michelle Ross-Cope (Stoke) 72:28.

Top three locals: 2009 Claire Hallissey 72:02; 2004 Amy Stiles (B&W) 74:42; 1992 Lesley Morton (Westbury) 76:05.