Stevenage Striders Running Club
Jim Callaghan ran the Boston Marathon on Monday (21st) in 4:05:36 (Season’s Best). While not his fastest, he was thrilled with the result on a tough course, especially tackling the Newton Hills and Heartbreak Hill. Praised the event, weather, and medal. A fantastic achievement to qualifying for and run this prestigious event! Well done Jim
Jennifer Graham completed the Inflatable 5k St Albans in 1:11:49 (watch time). Had a great time with family and lots of laughs. Forgot to stop her watch at the finish but plans to return and beat her time.
Kirsten Jarvis ran the Flawed Hero Marathon in 5:00:59. Started running at midnight and found it tough, but was lifted by the incredible support. Aaron Casper also completed the Flawed Hero Marathon in 5:25:42 (Season’s Best & Course Best). Enjoyed the unique midnight start and loved finishing as the sun rose. Congratulations to both of you completing such a tough event!
Neil McKinnon finished the London Marathon in 5:37:50. Called it a glorious event with amazing crowd support and praised fellow Striders.
Keith Dennis ran the London Marathon in 4:30:04 (Season’s Best). Hoped for a PB but was slowed by the heat. Enjoyed the crowd and support from traveling Striders.
Molly Davis ran the London Marathon in 5:20:44, her first time at this distance so also a PB
Described it as so so hot and hard! But also amazing.
Chrissie Thomas finished the London Marathon in 4:43:03, a PB
Hot and hard work but with massive support from the striders. Taking over 10 mins off her previous PB!
James Barry ran the London Marathon in 5:03:15, a PB and first marathon. First half went well, but then started to struggle with the heat. Was interviewed by Paula Radcliffe at the charity after party event, which has a highlight.
Marc Cecil finished the London Marathon in 3:31:12
Fairlands Valley Spartans
It was a hot one with many club members running through the afternoon but ANDREW PATTERSON from Fairlands Valley Spartans seemed super cool at the finish having run the London Marathon in a fantastic 2 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds. He was 444th out of a record breaking more than 55,646 so easily top 1%.
The first female from Fairlands was ASHLEY JOHNSON. So close to sub three with 3:00:39. She broke a club record.
SIMON FRASER got there with 2:49:29.
LINDA GEORGE was chuffed with her London Marathon time (4:41:57) this year — and it’s a personal best PB (12 minutes 15 seconds faster) than last year’s London Marathon! She was really happy with how it went. Soaked herself in water throughout the course and used every shower on the route, which helped her manage the heat. Also managed a happy jump picture at the meeting point after the race!
CAROL PAUL completed her 23rd London Marathon and 362nd marathon in 5:02:43 on a very warm day in London.
Someone else who has run more than half of the 45 London Marathon was JIM BROWN. Not in the best shape and suffering in the heat but got round in 5:28:40 raising funds for the Mayor’s charities.
Very definitely mission accomplished for PENNY SCHENKEL who completed her first ever marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes 16 seconds.
MELANIE BATE came in with an excellent 3:09:54 and LORRAINE HILL with 5:00:14.
Some with later starts really suffered in the afternoon heat but stuck it out and got the medal. They included first timers SIMON SYPULA 5:22:55 and PETE COOK 5:56:33. Also CLARE DAVIES 5:52:19 and SARAH PARFITT 6:16:27.
New member OLIVIA NATION ran her first marathon in 4:49:50.
Manchester
AND three Spartans were running the Manchester Marathon where SIMON JACKSON was sub three with 2 hours 48 minutes 17 seconds. He was 200th out of more than 23,000. KEITH HOOKER ran a new personal best of 3:51:01 and LLOYD DIAS finished in 5:25:41.
Gerry “Not The London Marathon”
GERRY ROSEN ran the half marathon in the Phoenix Running “Not the London Marathon” event.
Almost 300 people took part including people running their virtual marathons and there were a few people there from all corners of the world, USA, Australia to name a few.
It was his first running event since his Ultra a month ago, but it went well and he finished in a respectable 2 hours 26min 47secs , Gerry says room for improvement as always.
Easy Friday
With Sunday very much on his mind JIM BROWN ran / walked around the Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K in 34:08. It was sunny, mild with a light breeze in Hyde Park.
Parkrun Highlights Saturday 26th April
It may have been the day before tens of thousands ran the London Marathon but 564 ran the 398th Stevenage parkrun on Saturday morning including 22 Spartans.
Amongst them were CLAIRE EMMERSON who ran her 180th parkrun in 28:28.
Elsewhere three were at the Henlow Bridges parkrun where MATT GIFFORD was 35th in 24:33; JOHN NELMS 46th in 25:24 and NICK GILL running there for the first time who was 56th in 25:59. There were 201 finishers.
Three others were at Panshanger. Running there for the first time PETER SACH was 162nd in 28:22; SALLY PICKLES, another first timer, was 216th in 32:43 and NIKI PLUMB 277th in 48:23. There were 318 finishers.
Altogether 47 Spartans were running parkruns – and not just in the UK.
There will be a Spartan “takeover” at Stevenage parkrun this Saturday 3rd May and the local parkrun will be celebrating its 400th run on 10th May.
Stevenage Phoenix Running Club
Manchester marathon
On Sunday 27th April, Emma Chapman travelled to Manchester to tackle her first marathon. Fellow member and proud father Andy Chapman was there to support Emma on route, squeezing in a few bike rides so he could easily meet her at various stages. Emma ran for Cancer Reseach UK and finished the course in 05:57:35.
Dubrovnik half marathon
On Sunday 27th April, Katka Laughton celebrated her recent birthday by running a half marathon in Dubrovnik with her son, Joe. The sun was out for this breathtaking route, unveiling the beauties of The Old City nucleus and Dubrovnik coast. Katka remarked that it was “not a PB, but I’m over the moon I actually finished it!”. Katka completed the course in 02:21:27 with a huge medal to commemorate the achievement.
Istanbul half marathon
On Sunday 27th April, Damla Akkul ran the Istanbul half marathon, which runs along the historical Peninsula, home to 8,000 years of history. The race claims to be the “world’s fastest race course”, which proved beneficial for Damla who ran a PB time of 01:57:38.
London marathon
On Sunday 27th April, a trio of Phoenixes travelled to the capital, all taking on the marathon distance for the first time and raising money for their chosen charities. First home was Kath Phoenix. The heat made it “horribly tough”, however Kath still managed to break the FV35 club record with a time of 04:03:28. Kath raised over £2,800 for Alzheimer’s Society and Samaritans North Herts & Stevenage, in memory of her grandfather. Next was George Bradshaw who ran 04:31:25. A rare genetic mutation means that George’s mum, auntie, nan and uncle have been affected by early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and George managed to raise over £4000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK. At 18 years old, Hayden Cooper completed the trio in 04:57:13. Hayden was running for Hertfordshire Community Foundation and raised his target amount of £2000.
ZigZag Running: The other one
On Sunday 27th April, Scott Crawford and Ian Young travelled to Suffolk to take on The other run. The event had two routes, both challenging routes through the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Scott Crawford took on the 10k distance and completed it in 01:03:32. Ian Young opted for the half marathon, however in true “Ian fashion” he got a little lost and ended up adding a few extra miles to the race. Ian finished his half marathon (and then some) in 02:06:36.
