Race Report: Boston & London Marathons, 5 and 10k action and Angus' ultra challenge

Good Evening, Race Report fans, on that most wonderful of wonderful days - London Marathon Day. Once again the sun was shining and Harriers didn’t let us down as they pounded the pavements of the capital.​

However, before we get to that, let’s look back to the Boston Marathon, which took place on Monday 15 April. Caroline Stephens and former member Adrian Berry both toughed out the course, which is the home of ‘Heartbreak Hill’ on a hot day. Caroline finished in 4.29.26 and Adrian in 3.13.16. Well done, both!

I’d also like to give a shout out to Angus Williams who took on the personal challenge of running door to door from his university house in Bristol all the way back to his hometown, 11 - 14 April. That was a total of approximately 170km, equivalent to running a marathon each day for four consecutive days. Angus completed it in style and is raising money for a charity close to his heart: the JMB Educational Fund. Support him via his fundraising link here.​

In 5k news Rick Slade completed the aptly-named Podium 5k in Dulwich yesterday, in a time of 14.13. There were parkrun all time PBs for Katie Royals (19.54 at Ricky) and Ash Finch (16.19 at Cassiobury, also a 1st placed finish). Roger Ellerby earned a course PB of 25.51 at Ricky, while Ali Young came home at first female at Church Mead (24.15). Meanwhile, over the pond, Harriers friend Ash Holmes completed the Vancouver SunRun 10k in a time of 37.41. Well done, all!

And now, without further ado, the news from today’s TCS London Marathon. Once again, Harriers were well-supported with 15 runners out on the course (and many offering enthusiastic encourage along the route). A number of our runners had top places for their age categories: Nick Hughes (2.40.56, 17th V50); Barbara Ralph (4.39.23, 15th V70, and the woman credited with having completed the most London Marathons!); and Mike ‘Tiny’ Turney (2.57.51, a PB and 7th V60). Adam Shute was also in PB form, finishing in 2.38.21 (a time worthy of ‘Championship start’ next time around), as was Fiona Kelleher, by my reckoning, with a time of 3.13.34. Also running brilliantly today were: Janet Williams (3.53.32); Christine Taylor (3.34.35); Mike Sheppard (3.10.15); Susan Scollan (3.31.47); Tessa Passey (3.47.42); Mairead O’Rourke (3.27.41); Becs Nkoane (3.24.30); Adam Finch (4.30.49); Annelize Colquhoun (3.55.05) and the ‘ever-present’ David Walker, who has completed every single London Marathon, in a time of 8.41.17.​

DON’T FORGET: to book you tickets for the Club Social on 18 May. Even if you can’t come along, you can still nominate someone to receive an award on the night. More details are here.

COMING UP LOCALLY: graded open track meets at Watford and Oxford, the kick-off of the Youth Development League (Upper Age Group) in 2024, Tring Running Club’s Invitational Evening, Last Friday of the Month, BUCs Track & Field Champs, the MK Marathon, Run Prestwood, Marlow 5, the Buckingham 10k, Black to the Trails and Bucks Track and Field Champs (entries close 6 May)…

… and - of course - are very own Pednor 5. If you’re not able to run this year, chat to Trevor Davies about volunteering.

More events, and details of training on the Club Calendar (click on a calendar entry to find full details of the event, including location and relevant links).