IT was very much a case of LON-DONE for Running Forever this weekend, with 14 members finishing the iconic race in the capital.
They were a mixture of ballot places, charity runners and those with good for age qualification.
Also running were the two members who won the club’s places for English Athletic affiliated clubs, just one of the benefits of being a member of RFRC.
The first RFRC athlete home was Gerry Hogg who made it over the line in 2.56, just in front of Dan Talbot (3.09) with Ali Bisatt not far behind with his 3.13.
Showing true club spirit, Iain Elliot and Emma Kiernan joined forces at mile 20 and supported each other through the last tough miles and crippling cramp to finish together in 3.30.
Both have said that they’d really have struggled without the support of their clubmate.
DESERVED: Iain Elliot with his medal
No-one gets left behind is what it says on the T-shirt!
Sam Wharton passed the Palace in 3.39 with John Martin collecting his medal in 3.56.
Richard Carman was next home in 4.15 with Damon Butler then hitting the finish line in 4.22.
Collecting a medal in 4.25 was Simon Denson.
While the London medal is special to everyone, it was especially important to Simon as it completed his set of six for the Marathon Majors.
Starting in 2015, Simon has completed runs in Chicago, Berlin, Tokyo, New York and a very soggy Boston Marathon just last weekend.
HAUL: Simon Denson with his six medals
That’s quite a feat and a lot of it is due to Lisa who supported his challenge, books his flights and probably hunts down lost running socks.
First time marathoner David McKenzie was beaming as he crossed the finish line in 4.56 – one suspects his mum Kate, who is also a club member, had an even bigger grin.
Tanya Lewis also finished in 4.56.
Dave Porter collected his medal in 6.01 with Amanda Smith making it home in 6.23.
Amanda is also a first time marathoner and was a bit gobsmacked when her name was read out but with the support of the club, especially Group 9 which she leads, she smashed it.
On days like yesterday everyone in the club pulls together and supports everyone’s achievements, be that slowing down to help your club mate make it to the end, travelling up to London to stand in the crowd and try to spot friends or just sit on the sofa and stalk everyone via the telly and online. ‘Many Runners, One Club.’
Elsewhere, Lisa Windsor took part in the Jurassic Coast 10K, which turned into a 11.7K due to a navigation issue, and recorded a 1.36 finish.
Chris Brown was selected as part of the South West team to take part in the AoC National Championships and helped the team to a second place finish overall.
This weekend’s parkrun tourists Kate and Malcolm made their way to Osterley.
Thirty-five members ran at Longrun Meadow, with Carl Moppett recording his 50th run and PBs for Caroline Wharton and John Baker.
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TAUNTON Running Club, the ‘All Blacks’, had 13 runners in what turned out to be the hottest London Marathon on record on Sunday.
This was the first marathon for many of the Taunton Running Club members and although the training over the long cold rainy winter months gave them the tenacity to run and complete the distance, the hot and humid conditions spoiled the chances of a comfortable run or a personal best.
DOUBLE ACT: Taunton Running Club's Mark Raisey and Paul Cooper
Nevertheless, they all finished the course along with mixed emotions, tears and smiles.
A very courageous run by all and a well-deserved medal for their efforts.
Club skipper Michael Sharpe and veteran of 14 marathons was at the roadside in London.
He said: “It takes a special kind of person to run a marathon in that heat when many around you are dropping like flies.
“The club is so very proud of its marathoners and hopes those entering next year’s London Marathon will also benefit from the club’s training programme.”
Not to be overshadowed, All Black Helen Robson was also on the hunt for a medal in the Southampton Marathon.
She completed the course in 05:23 and had a little dance to celebrate.
Further afield, and wearing a tutu and keeping the All Blacks ethos of Run4Fun alive, Jason Tipple took his friends to run the Jurassic Trail 10K to celebrate his birthday.
Results
London Marathon - Adam Carbis 04:59; Adam Wheatley 04:58; Andy Simmons 03:45; Hannah Phillips 04:43; James Pither 05:04; Laura Davenport 05:50; Mark Raisey 05:13; Paul Cooper 05:16; Sam Adams 05:32; Sam Safe 05:26; Sharon Passmore 05:13; Steve Curtis 05:26; Tracie Bosher 05:22.
Southampton Marathon - Helen Robson 05:23.
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WHAT a day it was this year for Taunton Athletics Club at the London Marathon.
The weather proved to be as sweltering as threatened, which left any targeted times in a dripping puddle of sweat on the streets of the capital.
However, everyone finished and should be proud of their efforts, especially Kim Hill and Alan Bolon who ran their first marathon.
Steve Willis 3.003.13; Jon Gilling 3.01.20, Phil Roberts 3.14.48; Kate Drew 3.20.25; Keith Paul 3.28.53; Kim Hill 3.29.40; Alan Bolon 4.00.43.
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This Sunday, clubs are invited to come together to ‘Finish for Matt’ - running 3.7 miles to complete the marathon started by Matt Campbell, who sadly died on Sunday.
The invite is open to all runners in the area - if you would like to take part, meet at the barn in Longrun at 10am for a 10.15am start.
To donate in Matt’s memory, see his JustGiving page or Facebook group ‘Finish for Matt’.
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