Squirrels' Speedy Streak: Marathon Marvels & Parkrun Performances

As April draws to a close, our members have been busy racing across the UK and beyond! Our club's running adventures this past week spanned the full spectrum, from exciting Parkruns to full marathons. Our members demonstrated their passion and dedication, achieving notable performances in both short-distance and long-distance races. 

​London Marathon Legends:
Records Shattered & Memorable Milestones
Our club's squirrels tackled the London Marathon with incredible performances, celebrating personal achievements and memorable moments.

Laura Fairbanks, who had qualified to run London thanks to her brilliant Manchester performance last year, celebrated her 10-year anniversary since her first London Marathon with a finish time of 3:41:51. A watch malfunction at Canary Wharf didn't dampen her spirits; she finished with a smile, supported by Anna Gibson's flat Coca-Cola pick-me-up at mile 22. 

Stuart Cocks achieved a new personal best of 3:31:50, reflecting his rigorous training block. Stuart fully embraced the electric atmosphere on the course and is still riding high on his success. 

Clare Hooley crossed the finish line in 6:33:02, completing her first marathon in four years. Though the race was tough, Clare is relieved and delighted to have accomplished this significant feat.

On top of all the great performances today, we had two club records broken at London! Matt Sayers broke his own MV45 record in 2:36:57, and Rachel Arnott broke the FV45 record (previously held for 6 months) in 3:09:10. 

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In addition, 9 other members put in impressive performances. ​Here is the complete list: 

Danny Alden: 5:25:42
Ian Datlen: 3:00:10
Becki Geekie: 4:03:43
Rachel Arnott 03:09:10
Phil Hawkes: 3:50:58
Sonny Kurmi: 4:46:58
Matt Sayers 2:36:57
Carina Quayle: 5:53:34
Michael Roberts: 2:31:45
Matthew Sayers: 2:36:57
Steve Tracey: 3:58:19

Congratulations to all our runners for your dedication in training and your achievements on the day in the London Marathon! Your efforts inspire us all.

Other Marathons Mastery: Adventures Across Diverse Races
The club’s marathon adventures didn’t end at London, as other squirrels chose to enter a variety of different marathons, each with its unique challenges and rewards.
 
Ollie Parsons took on the legendary Boston Marathon on Monday 15/04, experiencing the city's enthusiasm for the event and running-themed activities everywhere. Despite the heat and the challenging hills, including the notorious Heartbreak Hill, Ollie crossed the finish line in 3:14. Although it wasn't his target time, he appreciated the incredible experience and soaked in the event's vibrant atmosphere. 

Sue Foot participated in The Other Run marathon in Barrow Suffolk, organized by ZigZag Running. She described the one-lap course as undulating with some challenging hills. Sue appreciated the event's well-organized nature, including free tea, coffee, and cake at the finish. Having just run the Haverhill marathon two weeks prior, she was delighted to complete this race 16 minutes faster, with a time of 4:44.
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Simon Clapham embarked on his marathon journey at midnight, running the inaugural Flawed Hero virtual London marathon. Despite limited training and sleep, Simon managed to finish in an impressive 4:26. Although it wasn't a personal best, Simon is proud of his performance given the circumstances.
 
Congratulations to all three runners for their determination and achievements in these marathons! Their experiences showcase the variety and spirit of our club's runners.

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Parkrun Roundup
Our members were also busy across various parkrun events, showing great energy and enthusiasm:

Henlow Bridge Lakes: Dave Braybrook (23:46), Rob Milburn (27:00)

Jersey: Tom Barclay (22:07)

Letchworth: Chris Stokes (20:52), William Harrison (21:04), James Dalton (22:48), Jon Hunt (23:26), Philip Flack (31:52)

Norwich: Ellie Scott (28:59)

Sandwell Valley: Steve Brenton (24:29)

Somerdale Pavilion: Brian Judkins (33:53)

Stevenage: Matthew Ronayne (18:40), Andrew Coates (23:56), Barbara Sayers (24:54), Helen Giffin (29:31), Sheila Leavy PB (39:14)

Teignmouth Promenade: Elwyn Howell (22:28)

Wimpole Estate: Vincent Wright (20:44), Anna Greetham (25:59), Matt Roberts (26:00), Richard Barker (27:34), Georgia Barker (31:26), Julie Taylor (34:25), Jane Morgan (34:25)