Manchester Marathon - 19 April 2015
The Manchester Marathon claims to be the flattest, fastest and friendliest marathon in the UK. Steve Edwards, Darren Long, Lucy Walmsley, Claire Harrison, Steph Holton, Catherine Wheeler and Susan Hunt headed North to check out the claim.
Conditions were perfect for the 7,800 runners. The course avoided central Manchester, heading out and back to Salford and Altrincham; but had several switchbacks to add the interest of trying to spot clubmates (most of us would never see Darren in a race if it wasn’t for switchbacks) and there were bands and choirs en-route to lift the spirits (always good to be reminded that “Baby, you’re a firework”. When you are actually feeling more like a damp squib at mile 21).
Lucy and Darren had sub-3 as their goal, Steve was tackling his 680th Marathon and aiming for his 295th sub 3:15. Claire planned to race hard (with one eye on that elusive sub-3:15). Steph, Catherine and Susan were hoping to beat their previous bests.
Darren was first back for Bourton, running a perfectly-paced 2:57:36. Close behind was Lucy, with an outstanding 2:57:50 (14th out of 2282 ladies and 1st FV40). Steve was delighted to run his fastest time since November 2013 (and there have been a lot of marathons under the bridge since then!), with 3:06:49.
Claire’s months of hard training (most of it at below 7 minute miling) paid off with a superb PB of 3:14:07. Catherine had been suffering extremely sore legs in the fortnight prior to the race. She and Steph ran together until around half way; when Catherine’s legs became increasingly painful.
Catherine persuaded Steph to run on ahead while she battled through her discomfort. Steph is famed for passion-over-precaution when it comes to pacing, and shot off to complete the race in a massive PB of 3:29:49. Meanwhile, Catherine ran with determination and gritted teeth and somehow, despite the pain, pulled off a triumphant PB of 3:36:11.
Susan was hoping to prove to herself that her sub-4 in November last year was not a fluke, so was astounded to finish in a PB of 3:39:48. It was a double celebration for the Hunt family, as Mick’s daughters, Emily and Georgie also completed the marathon as a two person relay in 4:06:06.
So yes, Manchester is definitely flat (apart from the road bridges which aren’t), fast and friendly. It was a triumphant group of Bourton Roadrunners who headed back South, smug with the knowledge that their marathon was done and looking forward to watching their clubmates take on London next weekend (except for Steve, of course, who will be doing London too).
Highlights
Lucy Walmsley and Darren Long both go sub-3 hour at Manchester Marathon.
Lucy and Steve at the start of Machester Marathon 2015. Picture © Teresa Edwards
Steve Edwards completes marathon number 680th in style, with a brilliant 3:06:49, just days after completing 4 marathons in 7 days.
Claire Harrison goes sub-3:15 at Manchester with a superb PB of 3:14:07.
Steph Holton and Catherine Wheeler both achieve brilliant PBs at Manchester too in 3:29:49 and 3:36:11 respectively.
Other reports may be found on our recent race reports page.