The Fab Fifty

Written by David Jones on 25/04/2024. Posted in News

I’m not sure what the collective noun for a group of runners is. I Googled it and there were various suggestions – cluster, swarm, pack. I rather like ” a wheezing “. Anyway, above are just such a group, proudly displaying their medals from various recent half and full marathons

Andy Lawrence on his way to a club record

Adam Linforth, Owen Lewis, Seth Turner and Andy Cox

By my calculation there were 50 members competing last weekend in either the London full or mini Marathons, or the Stratford full or half. By my calculation that’s just shy of 1000 miles. Pretty impressive.

I think the many reports below tell their own story and so for once I’ll keep my editorial short and hopefully sweet.

Super well done to all of you. You did yourselves and the club proud.

Take care.

David Jones

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Susan Hunt’s London vest.

London Marathon

Report – Sam Swanepoel and David Jones

An impressive 24 members took on the challenge of the London Marathon last Sunday.

The weather conditions were deemed perfect for running a long distance.

Our men were led home by Andy Lawrence who smashed the club record for this event in a time of 2:30:54. Despite some very tight calves and feeling like his legs were spent at 28km, he battled through the final kms to knock 6 minutes off his personal PB.

Four more members achieved sub 3 hour times: Dan Southam (2:39:00), a 4 minute PB, James Cottriall (2:45:00), beating his previous best time by a couple of minutes, Andrew Cox (2:54:17) and Seth Turner (2:55:39). Seth was just 8 seconds off his best time for a marathon achieved in the Paris in 2022.

Stuart Lawrence-George was next in 3:06:4, 9 minutes quicker than his time at the Windsor marathon in 2021, Adam Linforth took on the London Marathon for the second time and finished with a new PB of 3:19:5, 6 minutes quicker than when he ran it in 2021. Adam was followed by Owen Lewis (3:41:54). While not a PB for Owen, he was 18 minutes quicker than when he ran the Worcester marathon in 2021.

Gerard Thompson (4:04.54) ran 12 minutes quicker than his previous best time at Edinburgh in 2023. Visually impaired runner James Morrison ran with his running guide, Ollie Harrison to finish in a time of 4:19:53.

The next 3 men were Ian Greaves (4:26:24), Tom Puar (4:43:53) and Richard Hartwell (5:17:38). Next was Stuart Mclean (5:41.06), who ran to raise money and awareness for autism in honour of his grandson.

The fastest woman for the club was Maliha Abdul-Hakim in 3:28:27, 16 minutes quicker than her time in the Dubai marathon in January. Maliha’s mother Rabia, who is visually impaired, recorded a time of 4:59.54.

Kate Barney (4:01:04) recorded a 22 minute PB and Sarah Dichard ran 4:18:13.

Having decorated her club vest to honour both London and Stratford upon Avon, Susan Hunt’s time was 4:18:40. She was followed by Clare Weatherhead in 4:20:08.

Fresh from running the Rome Marathon last month, Lisa Stevens took 28 mins off her PB with 4:44:18. Sandie Owens (4:50:09) was next to cross the finish line,10 minutes quicker than her Brighton run in 2022. Kate Sergent finished her 5^th London Marathon in 4:50:33, 12 minutes quicker than last year. She was 20^th in her age category. Megan Easley finished in 6:05:17.

Andy Lawrence.

Andy Lawrence – My race.

Report – Andy Lawrence

The definition of ‘grinding it out’!

There’s nothing like standing on the start line hearing the clock countdown knowing that 26.2 miles is awaiting you and not knowing how the body is going to cope with the challenge ahead.

The first half flew by and before I knew it we were at Tower Bridge at 20km feeling pretty easy (maybe a 6/10 effort). Little did I know my HR had gone into the 170s after 7km and my body was working harder than it should have been at that point even though it felt okay ????.

25km came up and I could feel my calves twitching (they’d been very tight beforehand). 28km came and my legs were spent and with so far to go still, I was in a fair bit of bother.

The last 10km was an absolute battle to get through. Although I slowed down, I’m proud I didn’t completely fold and made it competitive for my goal time right until the end!

Missing out by 55 seconds is a tough one but it’s still a huge 6 minute PB and I get to have another crack at sub 2:30 in Berlin in September ????

The marathon is a brutal distance and so so tough to nail! I almost got it bang on right. Can not complain with that amount of time off my Personal Best ????

Back to the faster stuff now over the summer… but first, a whole week off running ????

Andy Cox with Seth Turner

Andy Cox – My race

Report – Andy Cox

The day started with a 6:30 breakfast before heading off on the train from London Bridge to Greenwich to meet up with some of the SAC Marathon team for pre-race photos.

Fortunate to have my good for age, I headed off from the Yellow zone in wave 1, straight into my stride and into the race, trying not to get carried away too early, true to the race strategy 10k came round quickly in 39:08, the next marker just after London Bridge is halfway, passing through in 1:23:46.

The second half heads out towards the Docklands with a lap of the Isle of Dogs before heading back towards the Tower of London and along embankment, now with a welcome tailwind pushing me towards the finish line as we passed the London Eye with Elizabeth Tower now in sight, along Birdcage walk and onto the Mall, completing it in my second fastest time of 2:54:17.

My good friend and training buddy Seth Turner crossed the line moments later in what must be the most consistent splits I have ever seen over that distance.

Stuart George

Stuart George – My race.

Report – Stuart George

It was the best of times it was the…. Well it was actually just the best of times. In an overly cynical world which is, lets face it, full of bad news stories; the London Marathon returned to make us all remember just how wonderful 50,000 people running through the capital can be.

After 15 years of calling London my home, prior to the Lawrence-Georges descending on Stratford plus childhood memories of watching Steve Rider taking us through Marathon mornings on my Nan and grandads amazing 16 inch TV; the London marathon has always been calling.

I finally got a place 6 years ago but a very yellow Jaundiced filled baby meant I had to defer, then a year later the 12kg of stress eating meant I wasn’t really up for it!!!

But with the help of SUA athletics club, I could finally say I was ready in 2024. We headed down on Saturday far later than I would have liked, as my wife’s job includes organising Shakespeare’s Birthday. Was the 460 year old Bard going to cause me to miss out on a PB.

But I had a secret weapon, a friend who lives in Greenwich. I got the dream sleep 8 hours and a half mile walk to the start. This is where the nerves began to take over so who else would you want to see but Seth Turner. The big man calmed me and gave me wise words that really helped me get into the zone.

The start was surreal with no buzzer or horn but just people starting to run and then that was it I was in the big one. I’d harboured a hope that I could get my ultimate dream of a sub 3.

We are about to have our third child so the likelihood of me running another marathon this decade is quite low. I knew at mile 1 that this block had not got me quite there so I sat in, near that pace and used the first few mile downhills to my advantage.

Like lots of people it will be Tower Bridge that stays with me. I generally don’t take in what I’m seeing in a race but it looms so large for so long you can’t help but be sucked into the most incredible atmosphere I’ve seen since Glastonbury!!

It was begging to hurt, calf, then quad and then as Shakira says the hips don’t lie and it was them damn flexors that began to be felt but I kept my pace steady and was rewarded with my family seeing me at mile 15 and 18 as planned.

6 months pregnant and with the worlds craziest 6 and 3 year olds In toe I think my wife’s achievement outshone mine.

On the stroke of mile nineteen my pace dropped by about 25 seconds per mile and to be honest I’im really really chuffed that I kept it there around 7:20 minutes per mile.

One of the highlights of the London Marathon over the past few years has been the introduction on the Run Dem Crew at Mile 21. These guys are crazy, with music and an attitude that one can only describe as too cool for school. Give them a google its pretty amazing. Their values of inclusion and a belief in anyone being a runner are just what the sport needs. The noise they make was just the tonic I needed to get my head down and finish this amazing race.

That’s what happened and I did it. The familiar sites of London Eye , Big Ben and finally The Mall all came into view and with my arms held aloft and head held high I finished with a 9 minute PB of 3:06:41. I was and still am so chuffed and happy with that.

London lived up to the hype and will stay with me forever, Im sure that with 12 months of persuasion I can be allowed to run another one, anyone who help persuade my family will be rewarded. ????

Adam Linforth

Adam Linforth – My race.

Report – Adam Linforth

This was the second time I was taking on the London Marathon and I had been lucky enough to secure a VIP place through the title sponsors TCS. This was certainly the way to do it with hospitality at the start and finish and I was lucky enough to be able to stand above the finish line and watch the runners coming up The Mall to complete their races.

It all started so well meeting up with other SAC athletes for the obligatory photos and then it was over to the start areas. I started my race running with the sub 3 hour pacer and felt really comfortable running to my plan that I had trained for. Sadly at mile 8 I started getting cramps in my hamstring and knew I was in trouble with 18 miles still to go.

It was then a case of taking each mile as it came and putting one foot in front of the other as I waved the pacer goodbye.. ☹️ I really was oblivious for the mid section of the race and on approaching mile 17, I was convinced that I was still at mile 15, but equally relieved.

The last 10 miles were really painful and I had lost all form and momentum, but I hung on and kept going. I was pleased in the end to finish in 3:19.51, a new pb by about 5 minutes and I raised £1k for The Samaritans.

The crowds were fantastic and without them I wouldn’t have got round, there were so many more people lining the route than my last London Marathon in 2021 which was great to see.

Special shout out to all the volunteers who really made the day and looked after us all, without them the event just wouldn’t be possible.

Will I do it again, of course and the entry is already in for next years ballot.

Lisa Stevens

Lisa Stevens – My race.

Report – Lisa Stevens

I was once told I’d never run a marathon-so, in 2014, I applied for London and got in first time on the ballot…

At the starting line in 2016 (I’d had to defer) I struggled round in 5.15 nursing various injuries and knowing very little about running.

I swore I’d return one day and have a good go at it.

Fast forward to 2024, I’d applied for Rome marathon and then got the club place for London, at last my chance for redemption.

I knew I had to do things differently this time and discovered “Jeffing” a run walk technique developed by Jeff Galloway the famous US Olympian, who incorporated small walk sections into long distance runs.

I started Jeff’s 26 week plan in September cheerfully supported by Karen Gisbourne and Emma Lee who were also doing Rome.

The first third of the plan is conditioning on hills, the second about distance and the third working on speed-and all very scientific.

Our little group started growing with more SAC members supporting us – Ian Stevens, Robert Gisbourne, Emma Davis, Rachel Fielden and others.

Fast forward to 2024 and I’ve picked up a pacing wrist band and hidden it in my bag. I leave this at the hotel before I set off as I can’t see the numbers without my glasses.

It was freezing at Blackheath so I set off (“word of the day is slow”-Emma Lee) steady with toes so cold I couldn’t feel them-started jeffing at mile 3 and picked the pace up.

I stuck to 3 minutes run and 30 seconds walk after this. I decided not to look at my watch until the end.

Seeing my kids and their partners at Tower Bridge gave me a massive boost and then Ian at Canary Wharf for a kiss.

Clare Weatherhead appeared after this looking on great form and we chatted a bit before she speed off.

Mile 18 onward and lots of people were stopping having hit the wall-but I was feeling good (as Jeff said I would) fully hydrated and fuelled on the walk sections. Mile 23 (“it’s only a parkrun left” is the most annoying statement at this point) I was still going, spurred on by the crowd.

Six hundred meters from the end Jan Turner and Miranda Maloney popped up with hugs and kisses, I babbled something incoherent and got to the end.

I made it over the line in 4.44 with a Strava marathon distance time of 4.39.58.

The pacing band I’d left at the hotel? It was for a 4.40 hour marathon…I’d done it by 2 seconds.

My heart is telling me to do another marathon, my toes are screaming no…

Sandie Owens

Sandie Owens – My race

Report – Sandie Owens

The middle(ish) of the pack first timer experience.

Controversial content incoming so look away now if you’re of a sensitive disposition.

My London marathon experience was a bit like the first time I saw the Sydney Opera House. I was slightly underwhelmed. The hype had been so great that it simply did not live up to my expectations.

I have been obsessed with all things London Marathon for the last couple of months. I was on every social media group, listened to every podcast, logged onto every webinar, read every book. I consumed so much content, all telling me that it is the best race on the planet, the best day ever, it’s so much fun and you will love it so much you’ll cry… I was completely sucked in to the hype.

Running the London marathon is undeniably an amazing experience and the crowds are incredible. The noise on Tower Bridge was phenomenal and strangers offering encouragement by calling your name is so lovely but… it wasn’t the best day of my life, I didn’t love it more than I love chocolate and labrador puppies and it wasn’t my idea of fun.

Running a marathon is not fun, it’s really hard no matter how well you have trained.

The start of the race was exciting as we nervously got on our way. The first 4 miles went well and I stuck to my pace and race plan and I thought, this is great, not too busy at all. Then, just after mile 4, thousands of other runners appeared as the start waves merged. It was so congested, it was difficult to run. I saw a few runners trip over and fall down due to others getting in their way. I had the back of my trainer clipped a couple of times but thankfully managed to stay upright.

I ran well until mile 16 and then started to fade and had a very tight calf muscle. I soldiered on before stopping for a quick loo stop at mile 18. If you have ever been to Glastonbury, the loos by mile 18 are in a similar/worse state…

The last 6 miles were tough but the crowds were exceptional all the way to the finish line. At this point, you really have to weave in and out of walkers, very slow runners and, very irritatingly, people wandering along on their phones.

When my watch beeped 26.2 miles, I still had another mile to go to the finish line!

Reaching Big Ben was special, knowing the end was in sight. I have never seen so many people all shouting and cheering. It was great to see club members Jan and Miranda cheering loudly as I approached the finish line.

My official time was 4 hours and 50 mins. A PB for my third marathon, so I was chuffed with that.

Despite my negative observations and my heart of stone, would I do it again? Of course I bloody would, I’ve already entered the ballot for next year…

Kate Sergent.
A quick glance at Power of 10 tells me Kate ran her first marathon in Dublin in 2010. Her time was 4:33.32. Fourteen year later she ran London at the weekend a little over 16 minutes slower. That’s barely a minute a marathon slower per year. Impressive or what ?

Kate Sergent – My race

Report – Kate Sergent

My London Marathon this year was, for me, just perfect in every way.

I secured another GFA qualification this year and off I went for my 5th London marathon.

I had trained hard, never following a plan just doing what I thought I needed to do. Lots of miles in my legs and yoga, stretch and good nutrition.

The biggest thing for me on the run up to marathon day is to relax and stay calm!

It was a perect day weather wise and it was so good to see Susan Hunt at the start and sneak into her start pen!

The crowds are simply amazing and it was so lovely to see my son and granddaughter at mile 24 shouting at me to “dig in” which I did finishing 4.50.33.

I was 20th in my age group ( out of 101), 12 minutes quicker than last year.

My long suffering husband was at the finish to guide me home!!

What a day!!! Fabulous!!

A couple more photos from London

Susan Hunt looking pretty pleased with herself

James Morrison with guide Ollie Harrison

Before – Maisie-Joy Spriggs with Sam and Zak Lambert.

After!

TCS London Mini Marathon.

The TCS Mini London Marathon championships gives the UK’s most promising young athletes the chance to compete against the best new talent in British road running over the 2.6k course.

Over the years the event has launched the careers of international athletics stars including Laura Muir, Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr – not to mention Sir Mo Farah, who won the Mini Marathon three times.

Championship athletes are the first to cross the world-famous Finish Line on The Mall, the day before the TCS London Marathon.

Three of our talented junior endurance runners’, Maisie-Joy Spriggs and brothers Zak and Sam Lambert were selected to represent the West Midlands in this year’s race.

Maisie-Joy commented “I was so happy to have qualified for mini marathon this year especially since it was my last one and I had a great team to do it with.

I like doing mini marathon more for the experience than for the position or the time. The atmosphere is always great along the roads round Buckingham Palace.

I finished the 2.6k course in 56th and in a time of 9.24.

Zak Lambert commented “The weekend was a great experience to do and the race was amazing as we passed Buckingham Palace . We met Megan Keith and it was great to take a photo with her. It will be a race I will never forget”

Zak was 53rd in the U17 race with a time of 8.10 and brother Sam was 17th in the U15 race with a time of 8.00.

And the winners were – Ben Kruze and Maisie-Joy Spriggs.
There doesn’t appear to be a UK ranking for U17 half marathon runners, MJ’s age group for road running, but looking at the next age group up, MJ’s time of 1:26.48 would put her in 9th place in the U20 age category. Not bad for a first time effort!

Ned Campbell, John Bettles, Ted Burch, Graham Black, Ade Mason and Ash Habel.

Stratford Full and Half Marathon

Report – Sam Swanepoel and David Jones

London wasn’t the only place where our runners were out in force last weekend. The Shakespeare Half and Marathon was back after last year’s hiatus and many members’ were excited to race close to home with another 24 competing over both distances.

The 3 who were brave enough to run the full marathon, turning left at the end of the Greenway, having done half the job were Phil Reading who finished with a time of 2:49:54, a huge 15 minute PB. He was followed by Steven Batsford ( 3:23:51) and Emily Carr (4:09:48). Emily was just 10 seconds quicker than her previous best time at London last year.

The half marathon saw a double win for the club with Ben Kruze winning for the men in 1:11:02 and, making her half marathon debut, Maisie-Joy Spriggs stormed to win the women’s race in 1:26.48. Matt Burdus-Cook (1:16.58) was 5th. U20 Ned Campbell (1:17.43) who was 7th also made the top 10.

Just 4 seconds behind MJ was Ade Mason (1:26.52) who was followed by Sam Mercer running a PB time of 1:27.12. James Coy (1:28.52) was next, followed by Graham Black (1:31.20) some 2 minutes quicker than when he ran the race in 2016.

We then had 3 more members recording PBs, with John Bettles (1:34.03) leading the pack. John was followed by Ted Burch (1:37.45) and Ash Habel (1:36.42).

Our 2nd lady finisher was Sarah Boundy (1:41.47) an agonising 10 seconds slower than her previous PB at Kenilworth in 2016. Sarah was followed by Nigel Chidgy (1:43.29) and William Dyche (1:46.28).

Our 3rd lady to finish was the in-form Hannah Osborne with a time of 1:50.27.

Hannah was followed by Stuart Jackson (2:01.04), Katie Wall (2:05.00), Hannah Stockil (2:10.38) and Rob Greenwood (2:16.48). It was then the turn of racewalker Paul Hawkins (2:51.19) followed by John Butler (3:02.31).

Maddie Linfoot and best friend Maisie-Joy Spriggs.

Coverage in this week’s Stratford Herald of MJ and Hannah’s half marathon efforts, together with their fund raising achievement for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity.

MJ with mum Hannah Osborne

Maisie-Joy – My race.

Report – Maisie-Joy Spriggs

I went into the race without any expectation of position or time. I knew sub 1 hour 45 was doable based on my training runs. Years ago my dream was to one day run a sub 1 hour 30 but I thought that was unrealistic for my first half.

Running Mini Marathon in London the day before definitely didn’t help my nerves or race prep.

Race morning came and the nerves were back.

On the start line I reminded myself that I was doing it for Maddie Linfoot and that is all that mattered plus the money I’ve raised will let BEAT continue to help people that have struggled with eating disorders.

Running through town and seeing many familiar faces supporting me brought tears to my eyes but I already knew it was going to be an emotional race.

3 miles of running sub 7 minute miles I thought I had started too quickly but I had a nice chat with Graham Black through Luddington and my pace continued. Into Welford there were more supporters and I had some jelly babies from my Dad and Toby to keep me going.

It was at the halfway point that I realised how quick I’d been going and again worried I would struggle later.

I kept Maddie in my mind and how proud I know she and many others will be of me for doing it and raising so much money.

Getting to mile 10, I knew there was just a 5k to go, I can do that.

However I was not excited about running down the Greenway but found a nice tall man to run behind who acted as a bit of wind shield for me!

I never really knew my position in the race until lots of people along the Greenway told me I was second lady. As I approached the end of the Greenway I could see first lady ahead and I felt so determined to catch her. Once I sped up I just didn’t stop and I slowly caught more and more people including Ade Mason with about a mile to go.

My watch flashed 12 miles in 1 hour 20 and I knew I was on for my dream goal of sub 1 hour 30 and with some encouragement from Ade, my legs completely forgot the distance they had done and they dragged me to the finish line as first lady in 1 hour 26 minutes. I was over the moon!

Most of all I’m grateful for every single person who supported me, messaged me, commented and donated to my fundraiser because without those people I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

I finished my first half with tears running down my face because I just ran the race for Maddie and I am so proud of how far she has come and her determination.

Every single cheer during the race made me believe in myself a little more so thank you!

Well done to all the other finishers, especially my mum, Hannah, who put all her hard work into helping me with the fundraiser and running the half marathon too to support me, I’m very grateful.

Paul Hawkins

Paul Hawkins – My race.

Report – Paul Hawkins

This was my first Stratford half for a while (2017) due to Covid and my illness but it was nice to get out there with so many team mates who soon disappeared into the distance.

I’d been ill for about three weeks so I just wanted to get round but I managed a reasonable walking pace up to about 10 miles aka the Greenway.

I lost all rhythm there and the very badly timed works were awful for walking, imagine walking over a rockery.

So after thinking it would be a respectable time I ended up with 2.51.19 although there was at least a few runners behind me, I was 1690 out of 1750 finishers.

The Stratford Herald

Sam Sawnepoel our press correspondent was quick off the mark to ensure members’ efforts in both Stratford and London were recognised in this week’s The Herald.