Nineteen members of Grantham Running Club joined the 40,000
other runners taking part in the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon, which took
place on Sunday 28th April. After a scorching 2018 edition, the
overcast and relatively cool conditions were favourable for marathon running;
the light to moderate breeze not too much of an issue on the London streets
well protected by buildings, runners and the near overwhelming volume of
spectators lining the near entirety of the 26.2 mile course.
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| Sub 3 for Tony |
First of the fourteen first claim GRC finishers to cross the
line was V50 runner Tony Johnson. In recent weeks Tony had raced himself into
top form for London and he ran a superbly judged race to clock 2:59:42,
breaking the magical three hour barrier for the first time since 2014. Andrew
Pask, who was representing the RAF and had the privilege of starting from the
Championship Start, harboured similar ambitions time wise but began to struggle
shortly before halfway after a strong start. He suffered the ignominy of
hitting the proverbial wall not long after 21 miles, finishing somewhat
despondently in 3:12:44, but has already signed himself up for an autumn
marathon
where ‘Project Sub3’ will be the target again.
where ‘Project Sub3’ will be the target again.
There was frustration of a different sort for Catherine
Payne who was very pleased with her performance given her lengthy layoff in
2018 with injury, but suffered a timing chip failure which means her efforts
were not immediately recognised but were confirmed at 3:19:57 one week later.
Her age grade of 83.68% is exceptional, particularly for the marathon which
usually yields lower scores than races over a shorter distance.
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| Pasky Running for the RAF |
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| "The right and proper way to do a London Marathon" |
Having both run the Manchester Marathon earlier in the month
Julie Gilbert (5:12:14) and Ros Sadler (5:12:15) ran London together raising
funds for CLIC Sargent. This was a repeat of the feat Julie managed in 2018.
Ros made her first appearance at London having run Manchester in 2018. They
were closely followed by Kathleen Gray, who made her marathon debut raising
funds for the RNIB. As someone who three years ago ‘couldn’t run to my local
Post Office,’ Kathleen ranked the experience as one of the best days of her
life. The final first claim GRC runner to finish was Julie Riggall, who
returned to the capital a year on from making her marathon debut. She was
disappointed with her time of 5:48:38 but had been hampered with injury issues
in the build up to the race.
Four second claim members of Grantham Running Club also took
part in the London Marathon. Jonny Palmer of Bourne Town Harriers had a
sensational race to clock 2:37:43, bettering his old PB by over seven minutes
and clocking the fastest marathon time by a member of GRC. Mark Wilson of
Belvoir Tri Club ran well to clock 3:19:10, less than ten minutes outside his
PB set in 2016. Fellow triathlete Sophie Davies was in the ‘decidedly
disappointed’ camp coming home in 3:41:58 having set her eyes on breaking 3:30.
Finally, a special mention to Paul Davidson of Grantham
Athletics Club, who first ran the London Marathon in 1986, clocked his PB at
the 1987 race (2:42:52) and last ran there in 1994. In recent years Paul has
been a guide runner to several visually impaired athletes at many races and in
2019 Paul returned to London to guide his friend Netty Stevens around London in
a time of 5:17:53. For the first time his and other guide’s efforts were
recognised with an official finishing time and medal at the London Marathon.
As well as those taking part, several members of the club
went down to spectate at various points along the route. Considered by some as
nearly as arduous and stressful as taking part itself, their support was much
appreciated by all.
The race was won by Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya in 2:02:37 with
Brigid Kosgei, also of Kenya, the winning woman in 2:18:20.
