What a productive fortnight you lot have had. In particular, the past two weeks expose some of our team’s indefatigable runners, moving between races so quickly it suggests you either have superpowers or a recovery routine that would put Josh Kerr to shame!
Loch Ness Marathon
One such warrior is Mary Ann Taylor who ran the Loch Ness Marathon: 26.2 miles of rolling hills. She praised the event’s organisation and beauty which served as a welcome distraction from the challenging terrain. She capitalised on her consistent training, completing the course in 4:47.
The lure of the haunting Loch was also too much for Jess Gould who completed the undulating high and low roads in 4:05 (chip time). This astounding achievement must have felt easy compared to fitting the training around shift work! Lovely to see both the Bluebelles were all that was needed to tempt Nessie out of hiding.
Ipswich Half Marathon
Tim Clifton, the man who approaches running in the same way the rest of us approach breathing, completed his 3rd half marathon in as many weeks at the Larking Gowen Ipswich race in 2:17. Imagine finishing, feeling the fatigue and contemplating booking another one for the following weekend. More on Tim’s half marathon addiction prediliction later…
Also in Ipswich for 13.1, was Andrea James who finished in a blazing 1:29:17. This blistering performance secured her 5th place overall and 2nd her age category. Perhaps what makes Andrea such an incredible runner is her determination to continually improve; she is certain she can do even better. On the topic of amazing runners, special mention to Larina Marsh who served as part of the pacing team for the event.
Victoria Park 10K
Lisa Briggs ran the Victoria Park 10k in 44:46 securing 10th place and 1st in her age category (V35). Here she is, the very picture of composure locking in for her outstanding performance:
Cambridge 10K
In the latest of his racing successes, Stephen Bullen completed the meandering course through the centre of Cambridge finishing in 40:14. With the help of strong course support he secured 9th place (MV50).
Berlin Marathon
Statistically less than 1% of the world’s population will ever run a marathon. It’s a divisive distance; some people would never want to complete one and for some, circumstances mean they can’t. To facilitate a marathon effort for someone who felt it would never be feasible is a gift beyond generosity and that’s exactly what Helen Coe did when she ran the Berlin Marathon. As a guide runner, Helen was singularly determined to ensure the safe completion of the course inside the cut-off time which she did in style (even managing a quick massage break at mile 16!)
St Helena’s Hospice 10K and Half Marathon
Continuing on the altruistic theme, GBRC delivered the finest pacing team to the St Helena’s Hospice 10k and half marathon. Their training, rehearsing and execution meant that runners in Harwich had beacons to guide them to their goals.
Also gracing the Harwich coastline was the irrepressibly joyful Karen O’Grady making the sunshine even brighter on the 10k course.
We know our coaches are trojans, further evidence of this was Mary Ann Taylor’s decision to speed up her marathon recovery with half marathon a week later (at least there were fewer hills). Equally indominable, was Tim Clifton who decided it wouldn’t be a weekend without racing and secured his 4th half marathon is as many months. It seems the only thing that will break his streak is a full marathon in Amsterdam (business as usual – just don’t take the week break in the middle!)
Manchester Half Marathon
Scott Young completed this event on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research which he found to be well organised with great support that pushed him through the final stretch to finish in 2:11.
Parkrun Round-up
Perhaps the warm weather explains the bloom of Bluebelles taking first place at Park Runs at home and away. Congratulations to Debs Hollidge who secured 9th place and first lady at the Haverhill Parkrun in a reportedly competitive finish. Showing the Americans how it’s done was Donna Harris who came second place but first female at the Third Creek Greenway Parkrun in Knoxville. Mark is pictured; is it possible he was first but not willing to steal Donna’s glory?
Great to see Magdalena and Tomasz Komorowski doing a bit of PR tourism, travelling to Valentines Park in Ilford for a warm and friendly Parkrun.
Brian Telford, as part of Stand up to Cancer series, completed the Clacton Parkrun in sub 30 with a pushchair which is hugely impressive.
Donna Parker-Evans and Lorraine Adams continued their Scottish expedition with a visit to the most northerly Parkrun on the Scottish mainland: Thurso. They enjoyed running alongside the spectacular river and the heavens held off until they finished. To round off their Scottish tour with Fort William Parkrun, which boasts waterfalls and beautiful forest.
Scott Young celebrated becoming a grandparent with his 410th Parkrun at St Helens. I applaud this very modern approach to announcing a birth (far healthier than a cigar!) and whilst I make no claims to be psychic I think I see a running pushchair in Halle’s future.
And for your final bit of inspiration: Emma Gladden, who has been consistently putting in shift after shift at training, achieved a shiny Parkrun PB at Clacton Parkrun in a time of 26:06.
We all have our unique reasons for running, maybe health or self-improvement or its therapeutic benefits. But for all of us the common denominator is that our efforts would not be possible without the community around us. Go team GBRC!
