No Coffey break for this pair of runners (From Oxford Mail)

No Coffey break for this pair of runners

6:00pm Wednesday 17th October 2012 in News

IT was a real Coffey morning for two at Sunday’s Oxford Half Marathon.

Laura Coffey, 23, completed the 13.1 mile course in 2 hours 11 minutes and 40 seconds in race number 1783. And, errr, Laura Coffey, 25, also finished in 2hrs 11m 40s, in no 4162.

The two women, Laura M Coffey and Laura A Coffey respectively, are sisters-in-law and were raising money for Helen and Douglas House.

Laura M’s brother Liam Coffey met his wife Laura, maiden name Stapylton-Boyce, at school.

They married just over five years ago. Laura M Coffey joked: “This only seems to cause problems at Christmas or if someone says ‘Laura’ and we both answer.” The pair were also supported by Laura M’s partner Ben Jones and parents Debbie Coffey and Mike Coffey. Laura M added: “My mum volunteered this year and was in the baggage area and my partner Ben and my brother Liam cycled around the 13.1-mile route supporting us.

“It was a family affair” Meanwhile, organisers of this year’s race have pledged to improve bag storage next year following long queues at the weekend.

Competitors had to wait for more than an hour to pick up their possessions after Sunday’s run.

Organisers said a mix-up meant a room inside the Kassam Stadium was not available on the day.

A makeshift storage room was created, but the 4,200 competitors had to queue in single file to pick up possessions.