Race Round-Up – PB’s and Pain Barriers 🎉
Our members have been pulling on their vests at some of the most iconic events on the racing calendar, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular.
First up, a huge congratulations to
Justin Crook, who took on the
Manchester Marathon on 19th April. He crossed the line in
4:01 – an amazing time in spite of some unplanned ‘Voom’ after effects! Meanwhile, on the same weekend,
Tom Armstrong made the trip to Wales for the Newport Marathon - and came home with a shiny new PB to show for it! He clocked
3:12, an eye wateringly fast time. Well done, Tom!
Across the Atlantic, Mary Jones was making Olney proud on one of the world's most prestigious stages - the Boston Marathon. The 130th edition of the world's oldest and most prestigious annual marathon saw over 30,000 runners compete on the iconic 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Copley Square. Mary didn't just finish — she smashed a massive personal best, crossing the line in 3:35!! To run a huge PB in Boston, on that course, at that event, is an extraordinary achievement!
Back on home soil, seven Olney runners lined up for the London Marathon on 26th April – what turned out to be a record breaking day for many. A record 59,830 runners finished the race, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest marathon ever, with an estimated 800,000 spectators attending live in London.
The heat and the excitement threw up (no pun intended) some challenges for our runners but all of them are heroes! Katie Godof finished in 3:35, Enzo Seminerio in 4:19, Chris Ling in 2:54, and of course Mary Jones - fresh from Boston - completed yet another 26.2 miles in 4:18 despite taking a tumble early on. Running two World Marathon Majors in the same month takes some doing, Mary! Dan Scholfield, who ran with the Club place did us proud with a finishing time of 3:38 – another amazing PB! Special mention goes to Thérèse O'Riordan, who crossed the London finish line in a sparkling new personal best of 4:05 - brilliant running, Thérèse! Another special mention to Deby Potten who ran the virtual London marathon, completing the distance without the benefit of crowds and water stops – amazing work Deby!
Not all our heroes were on roads this spring. Chris Barnes headed north to take on the legendary Yorkshire Three Peaks - 24 miles of rugged fell running over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Billed as the 'marathon with mountains', it's one of the most demanding challenges in the British running calendar. Christopher conquered it in 6 hours - a phenomenal effort.
A little closer to home Chris Tredray, Steve Dicks, John and Catherine Elworthy, Simon Weeks, David Fensom, Hilary Swanston and Liz Conibere ran the Harrold Pit Run, enjoying the sights of Harrold Country Park on a beautiful day – well done all!!
From roads to fells to tarmac, Olney Runners have been everywhere in the last few weeks. Here's to every single one of you — the training, the early mornings, the blisters, and the finish lines. You're an inspiration to the whole club.
As if that wasn’t enough, this weekend is the Milton Keynes marathon weekend – good luck to all OR who are running either the 5k, the half marathon or the marathon – we’ll be cheering you all on!
