A Landmark Edition.

London Mini Marathon Trials for West Midlands Team

Report – Paul Hawkins

On the same weekend as the Virgin Money London Marathon a mini marathon is held over the last 2.6km of the marathon course and each region of the country sends a team of six boys and girls in the under 13, under 15 and under 17 age groups. 

Over the years many of Britain’s leading endurance runners have featured in these races. 

The trials for the West Midlands team were held on Sunday as usual at the cycle track at Stourport Sports Club over an undulating course of the same distance, 2.6km on a very windy day but fortunately dry.

There was some great running from five of our juniors at Stourport who were running in the trials for the West Midland team in the London Mini Marathon. Leading them off in the under 13 boys race was Reece Yarnold in his first race in this with a fine 12^th place in 9.52.

Next were the under 15’s where Sam Lambert was in the lead group from the start and just missed out on the win coming second in 7.56, close behind for all of the race was team mate Tom Fisher whi finished 7^th in 8.24.

In the under 17’s a regular in this competition was Maisie-Joy Spriggs was in her final year in the age group. MJ had another strong run to come 3^rd in 9.21 behind internationals Isobel Jones and Zoe Gilbody. 

In the men’s race Zak Lambert had a tough race but should be pleased with 5^th place in 8.11

Sam & MJ have definitely qualified for London with Zak and Tom waiting to hear the final selection, as the first three in each race are guaranteed a place in London with other places available in the teams of six at the discretion of team managers

Eating Disorders

Below is an article on Eating Disorders. There have been articles on both mental health and nutrition in the newsletter in past, together with individual members’ stories of how they have overcome various difficulties and I certainly think that Eating Disorders merits this raising of awareness.

The genesis of this article was the decision by Maisie-Joy Spriggs to run the forthcoming Stratford Half Marathon on 21st of this month in aid of Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity and also the eating disorder charity that is supported and signposted by England Athletics.

Maisie-Joy decided to run this race in support of this charity because they have helped her best friend and fellow club member Maddie Linfoot who is suffering with an eating disorder

I have also included a link to Maisie-Joy’s JustGiving page. I realise the newsletter doesn’t often give links to fundraising pages and I also realise that, particularly at this tine of the year, many of you are running races to raise funds for charities you support. However I make no apologies for using the newsletter to support this particular initiative. It is something that is affecting one of our own and it’s being supported by one of our own. As far as I’m concerned it’s family. I hope you will forgive my indulgence in this instance.

I would like to thank MJ, Hannah Osborne, Alison Gravelsons, Beat, Jo, Neil and Maddie Linfoot for their support and help in putting this article together.

David Jones.

The stereotype that someone with an eating disorder is a young, white, underweight female is dangerous as it can result in other people not realising they are unwell. Eating disorders affect people of all weights, sizes, ages, genders and backgrounds and you can never tell if someone is unwell just by looking at them. 

At any given time at least 1.25 million people in the UK are struggling with an eating disorder. Even if you don’t think you know someone affected, it is likely that you do, as so many suffer in silence.

Eating disorders can affect people of any age, gender, culture, ethnicity or background. Girls and young women aged 12-20 are most at risk but studies suggest up to 25% of cases are boys and men. 

While eating disorders are serious, it is possible to make a full recovery. 

It takes an average of three and a half years for someone to get treatment after their symptoms first begin. The longest delay, for both children and adults, is because they do not realise they are ill. 

Eating disorders are treatable and people can and do make full and sustained recoveries. The sooner someone gets the treatment and support they need the more likely this is. Recovery is always possible.

Social media is unlikely to be the sole and direct cause of eating disorders, though for some people certain social media content can be an exacerbating factor. 

Competitiveness, perfectionism, control and low self-esteem form some of the key personality traits that raise the risk for eating disorders 

Source: Beat.

If you are worried that you or someone you care about is showing any signs of an eating disorder you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity,

on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk 

david_fjones@yahoo.co.uk

Alison Gravelsons

welfare@stratfordac.co.uk

As a lot of people will know my best friend and fellow club member Maddie Linfoot has struggled with an eating disorder for a couple of years now and is still recovering. This period has included multiple hospital admissions. A few years ago we were watching the Stratford Half Marathon and we decided that as soon as we were both 17 we would run it together as both of our first half marathons. 

However, Maddie isn’t able to run at the moment due to her eating disorder, so instead of running it together like we promised, as I am now 17, I am still going to run it but it will be for her.

I want to raise money for Beat which is a the UK’s eating disorder charity. It is also the eating disorder charity that is supported and signposted by England Athletics and they have helped Maddie.

I appreciate anything you can give to the charity because I’ve seen personally how badly someone can be affected by an eating disorder. 

If anyone wants to come and support on the day, April 21st, it will be greatly appreciated.

I have watched Maddie go through it all and I never want anyone to have to go through anything like this or have to watch someone you love struggle especially someone who is like a sister to you.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/run-to-be-strong-and-overcome-eating-disorders

Helpline: 0808 801 0677  help@beatingdisorders.org.uk

Youthline : 0808 801 0711 fyp@beatingdisorders.org.uk

London Landmarks Half Marathon
 

Report – Lisa Lambourn
 

On Sunday several club members took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon.  This was on my bucket list, so I decided to run for Alzheimer’s Research after unsuccessfully applying for a ballot place.

After all this rain we were lucky to have a very mild, sunny day with beautiful blue skies, although strong winds were forecast (and did make themselves known at several points on the course) meaning the organisers had to make some last minute alterations.

The race lived up to my expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It is well organised with the most pre-race toilets I have ever seen! The route took us past most of the main sites of London (hence the name) on closed roads with some sharp turns back on ourselves.  After passing Bank for the 3^rd time, I did begin to get a slight sense of déjà vu!

The large crowds along the route were in full voice and the many charities had lively cheer squads.  There was entertainment throughout from gospel singers to steel drums, people on stilts, bands and choirs.  

With much of the route in the City of London, no GPS on my watch meant I had no idea what my pace was with the reading constantly changing.  I gave up looking and decided just to run and enjoy the sites.  In the last few miles as we came down Embankment I tried to see my elapsed time but I had pressed too many buttons, so just kept running It was a fabulous surprise when I hit stop at the finish and found I had a PB, finishing in 2 hours and 48 seconds.  That magic sub 2 hour run had eluded me again, but there is always Oxford and Valencia to go this year!

In the City, I heard my name called from the opposite side of the road, further along the course and saw Clare Goodwin speeding along, having set off in an earlier wave. This brought a big smile to my face. Clare equalled her Worcester half marathon time of 1:56 and raised £424 at the last count for the Mintridge Foundation who help children of all ages with mental health issues by nurturing them through sport to succeed.  Her son Seth was also running and finished in a speedy 1:35 – Clare was naturally very proud.

I also met Lisa Stevens en route just after she had stopped to give first aid to a runner who had collapsed and was very unwell.  Having helped for almost 10 minutes until the paramedics took over, Lisa then raced to the end and finished in approx. 2 hours and 4 minutes despite being in a state of shock for the last 3 miles.  She was delighted on Monday to hear from the man she had helped, who is fortunately making a good recovery.  Ian Stevens finished in a speedy 1:26 – 7^th in his age group and 136^th out of the almost 19,000 taking part.

The total raised for the many charities represented was at almost £12 million pounds by Sunday evening.  A fantastic result for a well organised and thoroughly enjoyable half marathon.  If you haven’t yet taken part in London Landmarks, I would recommend that you enter the ballot for next year – it is now open.

The Rutland Water Spring Half Marathon

Report – Jill Wilson

Disappointed to not get a place at the LLHM this year (having loved it in 2023) on Sunday I did something very different – the same date and distance – but different in all other respects!  

The Rutland Water Spring Half Marathon was exactly that – a half around Rutland Water on a mixture of tarmac and trail paths incorporating plenty of mud, many hills, bluebell woods and spectacular views plus blue skies, scudding clouds and 45-50mph winds courtesy of Storm Kathleen.

Much of the course was relatively sheltered, starting at Barnsdale (of Geoff Hamilton BBC Gardeners’ World fame – for those of you old enough to remember ????) heading west along the north shore of the Water then around the north side of the ‘gently ‘undulating’ Hambleton peninsula.

At the halfway point we turned into the full force of the south westerly wind on the south shore of the peninsula. Just like being at the seaside with waves breaking onto the shoreline. The course looped back around the peninsula and then we retraced our steps for the last 3 miles to the start.

The event guide advised that the first mile was the toughest – steep up and down twice – which of course meant also the last mile was the same!

In London last year I measured the course in parkruns – and consequently when I got to 10 miles I realised I had plenty left for the last ‘parkrun’ 5k – and so was able to pick up my pace. This time, because of the wind on miles 7-9 I had resolved by mile 10 to never ever do another half marathon and by then I genuinely thought my legs might give way before the end. However they didn’t and I was delighted to finish five minutes quicker than in flat old London, in 2:32.

Despite having worried about finishing last – I was way off the end although the fastest walker was only 20 minutes behind.

It was a small, friendly, well-organised event (750 runners plus about 60 walkers), with gorgeous scenery (including a mile walk through bluebell woods from the car park to the start), great support, a super medal and t-shirt with a bacon sandwich and mug of tea waiting for me at the end. When standing in the bacon butty queue I was asked – would you do it again – after a moment’s thought – the answer was yes. It was great – and a real contrast to London.