The Big One - The Virgin London Marathon

Love it or hate it, the London Marathon is a special event in runners' calendars from all four corners of the world.  Sixteen Northampton Road Runners decided to take on the challenge of one of the world's biggest marathon challenges in the capital.


With eyes on the weekly weather forecast, everyone in the 35,000 strong field were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by sunshine at Black Heath on Sunday 22nd April.


A mix of first timers and seasoned pros lined up in the three starting pens awaiting the off.  A healthy following from the club were strategically positioned en-route to cheer those on in claret and gold vests.


After negotiating the route through the London sights, Mark Nightingale was first to arrive at The Mall in a time of 3:13:15.  Steve Prior was making his 26.2 debut after securing a late late place and was elated with a 3:43:07 which sets him up for Edinburgh next month.


John "The Flyer" Fleming is on fire at the moment and recorded a debut time of 3:43:46 and Lynton Dawson joined forces with Runners' World for the day as part of their pacing team and he stuck to his task by helping others break the four hour barrier in 3:49:06.  Dave Blackburn's training paid off with a 3:55:00 finish and he was spotted cycling to work the following day before a casual game of Badminton to loosen up.


Mark Kennedy enjoyed a great run and knocked 25 minutes off his previous best to record a PB of 4:06:04.  Another marathon debutant was Jocelyn Granger who is always keen and motivated for a challenge and she passed Buckingham Palace and crossed the line in 4:12:48.


Tom Sullivan picked up a late niggle at 24 miles but still managed to record a great time of 4:13:42.  Jim Anderson completed his third marathon in twelve months in a fantastic 4:27:07.


Super Ruth Court beat her Paris time from seven days prior by eight minutes to come home in 4:32:51.  Mary Kingsnorth also braved an injury at 16 miles to finish in a respectable 4:47:04.  Mary Davies said never again after her first outing time of 4:48:34 but we are betting she'll be in the ballot next week.


Pauline Horne is a London regular and was delighted to break five hours in 4:58:14.  Next was another great PB by around 50 minutes, Helen Blackburn arrived at the finish in 5:16:03.


And then there's always one!  Or in this case two...Patrick (Spike) Breydin vowed last year that he would never run in fancy dress ever again, something he echoed at the finish this year when he finished in 6:06:51.  Alan Hackett once again was an inspiration to everyone, battling a range of injuries to finish in 7:01:19 with very little training and wearing his trademark fancy dress.


Well done to everyone who ran, the marathon is a cruel mistress that tests all involved.


Massive thanks go to all NRR's supporters on the day, especially Ronnie Ambrose for organising the bus on the day and making sure everyone go home safely.


We would also like to wish Dave Soloman a speedy recovery who had to pull out on the day due to illness and to Craig Jackson who had to retire through injury.


Results
Mark Nightingale 3:13:15
6855 Steve Prior 3:43:07
6986 John Fleming 3:43:46
8084 Lynton Dawson 3:49:06
Dave Blackburn 3:55:00
12480 Mark Kennedy 4:06:04
14094 Jocelyn Granger 4:12:48
14330 Tom Sullivan 4:13:42
17846 Jim Anderson 4:27:07
19347 Ruth Court 4:32:51
22898 Mary Kingsnorth 4:47:04
23282 Mary Davies 4:48:34
25607 Pauline Horne 4:58:14
28697 Helen Blackburn 5:16:03
34357 Patrick Breydin 6:06:51
36168 Alan Hackett 7:01:19