Southwell Running Club
A Month of Marathon Mania
The month of April is traditionally a key time for spring marathons in many parts of the world. Members of Southwell Running Club have not been shy in signing up for marathon and half marathon events and taking on the gruelling task of training throughout the winter. Months of long runs in wind and rain finally brought them to their respective start lines to complete their ‘victory laps’.
Julie Stafford, Penny Durance and Katie Botham travelled south for the challenge of Brighton marathon on a blustery but sunny Sunday at the beginning of the month. Julie completed the course in 4:10:41, Penny in 4:22:28 coming third in her age group of FV65 and Katie finished in 4:45:08
Kat Hall, Lee Mulraney and Lauren Birkbeck went further north for the second largest marathon in the country, in Manchester. Great conditions for running gave Lee a finishing time of 3:35:55, Kat ran her third marathon this year, in 3:42:23 and Lauren finished in 4:33:20. Carol Hayward’s marathon travels took her overseas to Boston Massachusetts for the hilliest and most challenging of the World Majors marathons. Having completed this on a very warm Monday in a time of 4:57:26 she flew home and took on the London marathon 6 days later.
This year, the conditions in London were perfect and many other members of SRC also took on the challenge whilst soaking up the fantastic atmosphere and unbroken crowd support along the course. The London Marathon really is something special.
Club member and Paralympian Gold Medal Winner Richard Whitehead achieved yet another PB in 2:42:02, Helen Ramwell finished in 3:45:54, Mel Duffy in 3:49:57, Jane Matthews in 4:27:08, Carol Hayward in 4:50:14 and Brendan Parkinson in 5:01:12.
Other members of the club were busily completing half marathons throughout the month; Phil and Toby Hyde Barker ran the London Landmarks Half which takes in many of the London landmarks on the north side of the river. Phil finished in 1:54:39 and Toby in 2:02:36
Ben Parker, Nigel Whitmore, Stephen Holt and Bill Lee ran the Rutland Half Marathon on yet another blustery day. The undulating, scenic route takes in both trail paths and country roads through beautiful Rutland countryside. Ben finished in 1:42:21, coming first in the V60 age group, Nigel 1:47:40, Stephen 1:55:00 and Bill 2:17:47 again, coming first in his age group (V70). Jess Coyle ran the very scenic yet hilly Sheffield Half in 1:39:44 and finally five members of the club took part in the charity fundraising event of Not the London Marathon run on the same day at The London Marathon in Eakring. Runners can run between 1 and 4 laps of the course. Ben Parker and Alan Davidson both completed the marathon distance Pam Dutton, Helen Ward and Bruce Danby completed the half marathon distance
As always, we welcome new members to our Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday sessions.
Happy Running,
Ruby Runner.
southwellrunningclub.org