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

Worcester Half.

Steve Prior completed the Worcester Half Marathon on Sunday 15th April in a great time of 1:37:44. He described the events as, "A brilliant course through undulating countryside with lots of local support."

One Down One To Go...

Ruth Court has completed the first leg of her double marathon finishing Paris in 4:38:17 just London to do now.

Nicola's Marathon Debut

Nicola Boden was delighted to complete her first marathon today in Brighton with a time of 5:40.

A Stroll In The Countryside...

WENSLEYDALE WANDER Sat 14th April (22ish miles)

Instead of another lap around London this year Mark Garrett has chosen some events from the Long Distance Walkers Association website. These can be run or walked and are generally really nice, well organised, friendly, low key events.

Mark Garrett 3-35 (no chip timing here)

Wensleydale or London

300 or 30,000 entrants

Crowds or lots of sheep thousands

Scenery: Hills and dales tarmac and buildings

Obstacles: Stiles, gates, streams or getting to the start, queuing for loos

Hazards: Sheep shit, snow, barbed wire or gel wrappers, wombles, earache

Prizes: Chilli and apple pie and cream or another window cleaning cloth

Conclusion

Both are great events in their own ways however it is definitely easier to clean your trainers after London

Next events for Mr Garrett...

Valley and Views London marathon day 16 mile walk

Stanage Stumble 6th May 25 mile run

Stanwick 10K

Instead of eating chocolate two Northampton Road Runners went out in the rain to run on Easter Monday at Stanwick 10k.

 

Andy Pate finished in a respectable time of 50:28 and Jane Cosby came home in 1:07:02.  Well done to both.

 

Andy Pate 50:28

Jane Cosby 1:07:02

Northampton Festival Of Running

Craig Jackson stormed home in 5th place in the Easter Sunday Northampton Festival of Running. Craig completed the full marathon distance in a time of 3:18:28.

5th Craig Jackson 3:18:28

Vicki Baker completed the half marathon distance in 2:12:51

152nd Vicki Baker 2:12:51

The Oakley 20

Sixteen runners from Northampton Road Runners made the short trip to Bedfordshire to take part in the traditional pre-London training race, the Oakley 20.

There were some great performances and PBs on the day. First home for the club was Tony Letts in 2:18:50 and hot on his heels was Andy Blaize in 2:19:12. To complete the close battle in the NRR front runners, Mark Nightingale (2:19:46) and Lynton Dawson (2:19:58) were the four men to break the 2:20 barrier.

Martin Andrews had a storming run in 2:42:15 and Robert Donovan yet again found his spring form with a 2:49:26 finish. Tom Sullivan's recent training is paying off with 2:56:52 and Jocelyn Granger continues to get faster, she was delighted to break three hours in 2:59:39.

Dave Blackburn and Jim Anderson continued their London preparations both finishing in 3:02:08 and Mary Kingsnorth recorded a 3:13:25 finish.

Jasmine Banks crossed the line in 3:21:01 ahead of Inge Flowers in 3:27:32. Mick Clarke was next in 3:30:31 and Pauline Horne enjoyed a great time of 3:34:20. Helen Blackburn completed a grand turnout with a brilliant 3:36:01 finish.

56th Tony Letts 2:18:50
58th Andy Blaize 2:19:12

66th Mark Nightingale 2:19:46
72nd Lynton Dawson 2:19:58

282nd Martin Andrews 2:42:15
370th Robert Donovan 2:49:26
462nd Tom Sullivan 2:56:52
502nd Jocelyn Granger 2:59:39
530th David Blackburn 3:02:08

531st Jim Anderson 3:02:08
645th Mary Kingsnorth 3:13:25
712nd Jasmine Banks 3:21:01

767th Inge Flowers 3:27:32
775th Mick Clarke 3:30:31
786th Pauline Horne 3:34:20
797 Helen Blackburn 3:36:01  

Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon

Mark Kennedy travelled south to complete his 4th Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon and grabbed a PB with a time of 1:34:06.  Conditions were perfect for the festival which made running along the seafront a pleasure, taking in views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills.

Former club member Rich (The Ambulance) House also finished the half in 1:31:31.

147th Mark Kennedy 1:34:06