Manchester Marathon

PB for Sam

 

On Sunday 10th October a large contingent of Grantham runners headed north for the Manchester marathon. 

The race like many others had been postponed several times and those who had made the start were greeted with perfect weather for running. Even for those starting in one of the later groups of runners the temperature didn't climb too high and there was barely a noticeable breeze.

The course itself started and finished next to the old Trafford cricket ground and featured a loop of the city centre after around 5 miles before heading southwest to sale and Altrincham before finishing back near the start.

The GRC runners in the first few waves set the tone for what was to follow. With 3 of the first 4 runners set impressive pbs and in doing so nearly broke the magical 3hr barrier. None closer than Joe Diggins whom had a phenomenal run. Smashing his official marathon pb by over 50minutes and narrowly missing sub 3 by just 9 seconds. He ran most of this alongside Joe Clarke who also set a big pb of 3:03:41 by 10minutes.

Dean Riggall had been struggling with a minor niggle in the final week or two before the race and was aiming to run close to sub 3 and much like the two Joe's he got close and in doing so ran a personal best in 3:01:28. This just ahead of Chris Limmer who faded in the last 5 miles but still ran a credible 3:02:16

In the hours followed the fantastic GRC performances kept on coming. There were pbs for many including a massive improvement in his second official marathon by Sam Dodwell (3:40:52) who ran an incredible 2hrs and 50min quicker than he did in the heat of London in 2018. Holly Durham bounced back from falling ill with Covid two weeks before the race to run 3:33:10. Hannah San Jose paced her own race perfectly to break 4 hours for the first time and running a 15minute pb in doing so (3:56:46). John Nevard too ran an 11minute PB (4:36:09).

There were a number running their very first marathons and these debutante ably demonstrated the strength of character to complete the 26.2 miles. Rick Brewer was the first of these running 3:23:59 in an impressive first marathon. Other first timers included Dale Towning who ran his first only 2years after finishingthe GRC 10wk to 10km (5:22:13) who already has his sights firmly set on beating this at next April's Manchester marathon. Sylv Hull (4:49:46) and Sian Mills (4:40:32) ran a fantastic debuts too and we're both delighted to run sub 5 hours. GRCs final debutant was Esther Fraser Betts in 5:03:49.

Though for some Manchester wasn't even their first marathon of October. With 4 running just a week after finishing the London marathon. Matthew Atter and Aaron smith ran dressed up in super Mario outfits (complete with fake moustaches) and not only ran a highly impressive time of 3:32:57 but raised over £1000. Not to be outdone Warren Stark bought a bit of the carribean to Manchester hobbling home in 4:18 in fancy dress. Just as impressive was Caroline Davis who ran just 21 seconds slower than her time in London the week before (3:56:38)

The pbs kept coming. Those in the latter waves having the additional challenge of managing their pre race meals and fuelling around a 12 o clock start. Amongst these were Suzanne Angeloni who ran 5:13:36 a pb by 48 minutes! 

Other GRC finishers were: Ian Mcbain (3:30:35),  Sarah High (4:04:27), Simon Smith (4:06:49) and Yvonne Buckley (5:53:18).