LONDON MARATHON 2013 RESULTS & some news on the Brighton Marathon
Wells City Harriers had some great results in the London Marathon at the weekend and also at the recent Brighton Marathon. There were 6 senior Club members competing in the London event over the traditional 26.2 miles whilst a further 5 juniors contested the Mini-marathon over the final 3 miles of the longer course when they ran as part of a representative south west team. The crowd support on the day was second to none.
Before and After!
First home for the Harriers at London was Paul Maskell. This was Paul’s 2nd ever marathon and he improved by almost an hour on his last time out at the distance when he ran 2 hours 59 minutes on Sunday. He came through halfway in 1.30 to achieve a negative split by running the second half quicker than the first. Paul has trained exceptionally hard this past year and has been a regular at the Club’s Tuesday evening sessions as well as turning out for the Club at various road relay races and cross-country fixtures. He came into the sport with a background of being fit from football but has achieved many an athlete’s dream by going sub-3hours.
Next home for the Harriers was Neil Biss in 3.06, just outside his target time of sub-3. Neil ran the first half in 1.29 but then had a bad patch as the conditions warmed up after the 30k mark. His time was just 3 minutes slower than his time at London last year. Richard Morgan was the first of the Wednesday training group home in a time of 3.43, slowing slightly due to the heat in the second half of the Race, but nevertheless recording a personal best with his time. Richard has done many long Sunday runs with Robert Moore, and Rob came home in 4.26, again slowing up with the heat in the second half but still coming home strong. Dave Fussell is another member of the Wednesday night training group and his time was 4.51 for a good finish. Our final member out competing was John Reynolds who ran the race very steadily as it was the first 26.2 miles of his non-stop 192 mile charity run back to his home to Camerton. John’s time at the Marathon was 4.57.
In the mini marathon, Emily Smith was the first south-west athlete home and finished 21stin the u17 girls’ race in a time of 17.49. In the u17 boys race Oliver Fox had a good run, some 20 seconds or so quicker than last year but due to a malfunctioing time chip he doesn't appear in the official results (yet!); then there was Matthew Dickinson who also had a good run, finishing 3rd counter for the South-west team with his 25th placing in a time of 15.07.
In the u15 boys race, Luke Prior got a late call up to come into the South-west team and ran his socks off to be 3rd finisher for the team and 34th overall in 16.17, just ahead of team-mate Sam Somerville finishing in 37th place in 16.21.
Meanwhile, Paul Maskell wasn't the only member of the Maskell family out competing at a Marathon this past few weeks, when Melanie Maskell competed at the Brighton Marathon along with Naomi Game from the Harrier's Wednesday training group. The Brighton Marathon is according to Melanie "very well organised, with large supporting crowds and very easy for familes to see runners at various points. good transport links in and out of Brighton plus a runners vilage on the beach with excellent facilties." Melanie finished the course in a great 4.53 with Naomi finishing in 4.36.
Marathon runners are reminded that registration for next year's 2014 edition of the London Marathon opens on April 29th (don't miss it!). To qualify for one of the Harriers London entries you have to a) be a paid up member of the Club when you apply; b) apply to the main London ballot and get rejected; c) notify the Club Secretary when you get the reject e-mail/slip so that your name can be entered into the Club ballot. This year we were able to find 4 club places due to our good links with our partner Club, Yeovil Olympiads.
Harriers are reminded that there will be a competition evening for juniors this coming Monday April 29th at the Junior Track session, 6pm to 7.15pm. Any parents of junior members, or seniors ,able to assist as we look to develop the mini-marathon and marathon runners of the future are welcome to come along to help. you will end up helping to rake the long jump pit, record finish positions, or measure distances.
Entry forms for the Wells Fun Run can now be obtained from the website or at training sessions. Please remember to pay your Club membership fees by the end of the month to ensure you have England Athletics registration for 2013/14.