Featured events this month:
- Massey Easter 5 Mile Multi-Terrain
- A Coventry Way 40-Mile Off-Road
- Madrid Marathon
- Madrid 10k
- London Marathon
- Paris Marathon
- Brighton Marathon
- Bungay Marathon
- Regency 10k
- Belvoir Half-Marathon
- Moreton Morrell 10k
Massey Easter 5 Mile Multi-Terrain - 21 April
| 15 | Mark Baker | 33:02 | |
| 38 | Lyn McDonald | 36:53 | |
| 47 | Mark Dalton | 39:33 | |
| 49 | Andrew Miles | 39:53 | |
| 70 | Fraser Barrett | 45:28 |
A Coventry Way 40-Mile Off-Road - 17 April
| 3 | Pete Fellows | 6h 22m | |
| 9 | Dave Halford | 7h 00m | |
| 12 | Paul Stead | 7h 06m | |
| 34 | Alix Critchley | 8h 06m |
Dave Fawkner completed the first 22 miles
Madrid Marathon - 17 April
| 4179 | Sarah McNaney | 3:50:29 | |
| 6771 | Steph Berry | 4:19:59 | |
| Melanie Lawrence | 4:27:00 | ||
| 8000 | Sarah Holt | 4:47:07 |
Madrid 10k - 17 April
| 2508 | Sylvia Guthrie | 56:14 |
We knew this weekend was going to be a hot one as we had been watching the forecast over the past couple of weeks, so we packed our ‘Factor 50’ and jetted off to the dizzy heights of Madrid. I say heights because it is quite a few thousand feet above sea level and consists of many hills – something that I was not looking forward to as we had not done any altitude training beforehand (must get that incorporated into out Wednesday night training schedule).
On arrival, there was no evidence that a marathon was taking place at all. The locals seemed more concerned about some local football match that was on the Saturday between Real Madrid and Barcelona. In fact the whole organisation was a little bit lax to say the least. The website was experiencing problems and had been unable to provide us with any details about our numbers or start times etc. We were advised to just turn up at the ‘Expo’ and all would be revealed! The Expo was rubbish – a few half-hearted stalls flogging very little. I think we only stayed about 10 minutes after getting our numbers and chips and headed off to sample the local vino and tapas – and very nice it was too!!
Sarah (left) and Sylvia (centre) with former Club colleagues in sunny Madrid
As the details were a little sketchy as to where the start and finish actually where, we spent Saturday morning wandering around to find these important things. Once found, the rest of the day was spent relaxing and hydrating as it was very warm. Our support crew of family and friends mapped out their viewing points – something that I was very glad of on the Sunday. Sunday arrived and we all strolled down to the start line hoping for some evidence of a race. We arrived to see a sea of people amassing on both start lines (thank God!!). It was a very jovial atmosphere with the marathoners on one side and the 10k’s on the other and, although the nerves were setting in, we all felt great.
We knew the course was hilly as the we had seen the profile whilst at the Expo, so we tried to ready ourselves for what was to come. To be honest the next 4 hours passed in a haze. The course was interesting as it twisted and turned around the city. Local support was fantastic as were all the people that we had with us. Drinks and Powerade were handed out in abundance at every 5k, and showers were well received from 10k onwards. We were trailed the whole way round by about 1000 yellow ‘angels’ on roller blades carrying vaseline and deepheat. - Sarah
London Marathon - 17 April
| 2243 | Tony Mackness | 3:14:50 | |
| 7972 | Allan Walsh | 3:54:42 | |
| 18949 | Jack Langman | 4:40:37 | |
| 31146 | Andrea Fodor | 5:53:06 |
Paris Marathon - 10 April
| 7608 | Dave Fawkner | 3:43:55 | ||
| 11261 | Tony Bowe | 3:58:08 | PB | |
| 18849 | Martin Gavin | 4:32:41 | PB |
My 3rd year in Paris was by far my most difficult. With an ongoing injury, next to no training and running with my change of clothing, I arrived at the start line early and feeling relatively confident that all was going to go as planned. Everything was going perfectly well for the first 16 miles, but with temperatures above 25 degrees and a surprising lack of mileage in my legs, my body began to struggle a little. I managed to mentally lift my legs for another 5 miles before I could no longer sustain the pace, and I had to slow down, stop for streches and walk bits. By then the body had won the battle with the mind and it was just a survival to the finish, with the final 5k being extraodinarily difficult. Feeling initially disappointed, I was soon reminded that I had overcome several hurdles just to start the race, so I am really pleased to have achieved my second fastest marathon! :-) There's always next year for that PB :-) - Dave
Paris in spring - what could be better. This was a wonderful experience, so
well organised, fine weather, good company and a lovely route. Same as Dave,
the last 5 miles were tough in the heat. By the time we were finished, we didn't
know whether frog legs were a popular French dish or a critical medical condition.
I have since researched the matter. The scientists report that heat can cause
frog legs to twitch - this certainly fits with our symptoms at the end. Of
more concern is the finding that frog muscle does not resolve rigor mortis
quickly. We avoided putting this aspect to the test, by what felt like only
the slightest of margins - Tony
Brighton Marathon - 10 April
| Tony Hughes | 3:30:44 | PB | ||
| Anne Hughes | 4:05:35 | PB | ||
| Neil Lynch | 5:06:52 |
Bungay Marathon - 10 April
| 32 | Mark Baker | 3:18:46 | |
| 35 | Dave Halford | 3:20:01 |
This Suffolk marathon has been on my radar for many years, so after staying overnight in Lowestoft, it was just a short drive to Bungay. It was a warm sunny day, so my sun-cream and cap made their first race appearance this year. A field of around 300 set off on an undulating 2 lap course. The first half was straight main roads, and the second was rural winding lanes.
Everything was fine up to a steady 10 miles, then I suddenly got a sharp cramping in my hamstring. This was a new experience, and soon I was sitting on a park bench stretching the muscle. I was able to jog to halfway wondering if I could continue. I decided that I would jog the second half as a training run without looking at my watch. Then Dave suddenly surged past me. I could see Dave until 16 miles on the long straight roads, but my pace now seemed very slow.
By 20 miles, the hamstring was feeling better and I glanced at my watch. Amazingly there was still a chance to break 3.20 so I focussed on a steady but quicker pace. My easy middle 10 miles left me feeling strong and at 25 and a half miles I saw Dave just ahead. I was now moving well and finished strongly in 3.18 with Dave just behind. it is amazing how fortunes can go up and down so much in one race - Mark
Regency 10k - 10 April
| Gun | Chip | |||
| 22 | Richard Hodge | 36:56 | PB | |
| 38 | John Wilson | 38:17 | PB | |
| 91 | Amanda Deavy | 40:17 | 1st lady | |
| 103 | Alix Critchley | 40:56 | 3rd lady | |
| 252 | Cath Fenn | 44:11 | ||
| 257 | Craig Robinson | 43:43 | ||
| 478 | Bob Adams | 48:04 | ||
| 553 | Mark Dalton | 50:12 | ||
| 1046 | Joanne Moyse | 54:57 | ||
| 1290 | Keith Burdett | 57:51 | ||
| 1462 | Richard Hands | 1:00:30 | ||
| 1463 | Angela Hands | 1:00:32 | ||
| 1469 | Helen Elizabeth | 59:07 |
Northbrook ladies Amanda Deavy, Alix Critchley and Cath Fenn won the ladies' team prize.
Belvoir Half-Marathon - 3 April
| Tony Mackness | 1:28:30 | ||
| Dave Fawkner | 1:51:14 | ||
| Corinna O'Connor | 1:51:14 | ||
| Sean O'Connor | 2:01:58 |
Moreton Morrell Muddiness 10k - 2 April
| Allan Walsh | 51:55 |