From Kenya to Chesterfield: Charlie returns to defend half marathon title
A Sheffield-based physiotherapist who ‘got the running bug’ after a half marathon in Kenya is up for the challenge of defending his Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon title when the event returns for its second outing this Sunday (21 October). Read our event guide including everything you need to know about the route, road closures and the event.
Totley Athletics Club’s Charlie Baker, who was born in Devon but moved to Sheffield three years ago, will join more than 1,400 others at the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.
Last year’s Redbrik Half Marathon was Charlie’s first victory over the 13.1-mile distance – and though he would love to successfully defend his title, the physiotherapist is ‘fully expecting’ fast runners to turn out after the event’s huge growth over the past 12 months.
Charlie said: “I would love to win again and I’m up for the challenge, but I fully expect some faster runners to turn up.”
“I imagine a few will have seen the winning time from last year and fancy a bit of the glory so I’d be happy with a PB.”
“I’ve been getting out more on the fells after joining Totley AC this year, I’ve been running more miles a week than ever and my legs haven’t fallen off – so who knows!”
Charlie, who works for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and was born and raised in Brixham, Devon, started running seriously while at Sheffield Hallam University. However, after a couple of years away from running, he was then invited by a friend to train in Kenya.
“I was more interested in football as a child but always liked cross country,” said Charlie.
“My dad enjoyed jogging and I went to support him after he ran a half marathon just months after a quadruple heart bypass.
“Chesterfield was my seventh half marathon, having run the Sheffield Half Marathon four times, plus the Torbay Half and Exeter Half Marathon.
“But I properly started getting the running bug when a friend of mine invited me to train out in Kenya and I ran the Lewa Safari Park Marathon. After surviving the half marathon and the lions, I’ve trained almost daily and fitting it in around my work whenever I can.
“I enjoyed Chesterfield mainly because I’ve never had a timing car and an encouraging steward in front of me, telling me I’m far out in the lead. There were enough twists and turns in the course to stop it getting monotonous and it was unique to run out on the A-road.
“My main memory of winning was a feeling of surprise because I never expected to win a half marathon. I half expected to trip up and twist my ankle on my way into Queens Park instead of crossing the line!”
Charlie will be hitting Chesterfield’s streets along with more than 1,400 runners this Sunday. To get involved with marshalling the event, which is set to become one of the region’s largest mass-participation events.
