Rutland Autumn Marathon and Half Marathon

Stuart was even faster than he was at the Fraction

Almost one thousand runners descended on Rutland Water to take part in a series of races along the footpaths at Rutland Waters. A heavy downpour just before the start may have made the landscape even more picturesque but it flooded many of the paths and exacerbated the crowding as the runners on this switchback course dodged not only each other but the dog walkers and cyclists who were also using the park. Two of Grantham Running Club’s members opted for the full marathon distance with experienced marathon expert Adam Wasiolka first home in 4:28:55 with Rachel Varela finishing in 5:04:09.

Name	Category	Chip time
Adam Wasiolka	MV45	4:28:55
Rachel Varela	FV40	5:04:09

There were six of GRC’s runners in the half with Russel Love being first home in 1:34:51 a couple of minutes of adrift of where he would have been without such a heavy schedule on the bike in the build-up. Next in was Stuart Reader in 1:46:03 with the run of the day as he ran this multi terrain course faster than his recent half marathon which was on road. Robert McArdle was third home for the club in 1:51:35.

Chris Bibby was on course for a PB at half was but was unable to sustain the pace over the hilly last four miles but was pleased to finish in 1:54:24. Katie Bland taking part in the second of her four marathons in two months completed the course in a very respectable 2:01:4. The final athlete back was Rebecca Angel in 2:37:59, very close to her best timewise but when the conditions on the day were taken into account another outstanding performance.

Name	Category	Chip time
Russell Love	M30-34	01:34:51
Stuart Reader	M45-49	01:46:03
Robert Mcardle	M60-64	01:51:35
Chris Bibby	M23-29	01:54:24
Katie Bland	F40-44	02:01:04
Rebecca Angel	F23-29	02:37:59