Club Participation in Races - Report of 16th September
Landale Marathon
Another week, another marathon! While most people take a month to get over their marathon effort, Steve Edwards of Bourton Roadrunners not only completes a marathon the week after, but notched-up marathon number 456 yesterday at Great Langdale in the Lake District. Steve not only finished 1st V45 but also took the prize for 5th male overall. Out of well over 100 starters, a few pulled out at halfway, so only 99 actually finished. Not surprising really, given this is without doubt the toughest road marathon in the British Isles, 2 laps around the Langdale fells in Cumbria with several steep (and long) 1 in 4 climbs.
This was Steve’s 3rd time running this marathon and he was determined it would be 3rd time lucky and get a sub 3:30 on this course. So as last year, he ran the 1st lap in 1:41, but unlike last year, the signs didn't blow down and he didn't go the wrong way on the 2nd lap! Steve was in 10th position at halfway and felt strong enough to continue pushing at the same pace to pass other runners over the 2nd lap. In the final couple of miles, he speeded up to pass yet another runner and complete a slightly negative half split in just over 1:40 to record a finish time of 3:21:34, his fastest ever on this course.
The winning time was 3:03 and only 8 runners finished in under 3:30 which gives some idea of the severity of the course. There's hardly any flat bits, it's pretty much all up or down, which is very demanding as you just can't settle into any kind of rhythm. Even though Steve went the wrong way last year, he was 11 minutes quicker this time and was not only pleased to take the 1st V45 prize, but really chuffed to finish in 5th place, his prize, a meal for 4 at a top local restaurant which he hopes to use when he go back next year for more torture!
Lithuania Marathon & Half
The Club trip this year was to Lithuania, where only Pete Scarrott was brave enough to take on the marathon, the others opting for the Half. In cold and wet conditions Pete had a good first half, passing 10K in 45.21 and half way in 1:36:15, but then cramps settled in, causing him to slow, but still achieving a very creditable time of 3:23:35.
In the Half Marathon many were highly placed in their age categories. Ian MacDougall had a great run to finish 1st V45 in 1:15:47, Mike Smith finished 2nd V40 in 1:18:29, Neil Teague 1:36:09, Rob Edwards 1:38:50, Alan Lettic 1:41:27, Steve Wheeler 1:44:50, Pauline Teague 2nd V50 in 1:43:42, Lynn Hudson 3rd V50 1:47:03, Shirley Creed 3rd V45 1:51:51, Wendy MacDougall 1:56:10, Gill Carrick, 4th V45 1:56:27, Jan Wiltsher and Dennis Abbots finishing together in 1:57:04.
Bristol Half Marathon
The lone figure of Eddie Rozier stood on the start line in the Bristol Half Marathon, with only a few thousand from other clubs around him! Undaunted by his lack of fellow Bourton Roadrunners (except or Roger Woodley & John Gibson cheering on in support), he ploughed his way through the field, finishing in 1:56:18. Afterwards, the three celebrated Eddie's birthday with a fruit loaf.
Report Highlights
Steve Edwards notches-up marathon 456, at Langdale, taking 5th place.
Bourton club goes to Lithuania:
Pete Scarott completes the marathon 3:23.
Ian MacDougall finished the half marathon as 1st V45 in 1:15:47;
Mike Smith finished 2nd V40 in 1:18:29
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.