Weekend Round Up 20th 21st April
LONDON MARATHON
The London Marathon in 2024 has set yet more records. The highest one day fund raising total in the world; (£67m); Over 53,500 runners completed the course (with 54,218 starting) this year – the highest number yet. (up from 48,600). The other world record was that over 578,000 applicants joined the ballot to race, beating London’s previous record by over 120,000. Whilst there were so many club members who applied without success we are proud of four amazing Tuffs who started in Greenwich Park – Stuart Harvey, Leah Simms, Glenn Parisi and Nina Tully.
We have entertaining and inspirational reports from our quartet starting with our first Tuff home; Stuart Harvey:-
“An incredible and emotional event, definitely a big tick in the life box. I’d tried for a few years to get into the London Marathon entering the ballot (and missing out) for 6ish years in a row. This year I had the luck of being drawn in the Tuff Fitty club ballot which couldn’t have come at a better time as I was getting back into training after losing it all during lockdown“.
“The training period flew by and went as well as it could, staying consistent with the long runs then just like that, it was race day“,
“Making my way to Blackheath on an absolutely heaving train, packed with other runners, the weather was ideal, sunny spells and cool although waiting up on Blackheath there was a stiff northerly wind so made sure to wrap up warm by buying tracksuit from Primark the day before!“
“Before long it was time to head off. From the very start the support was incredible with people shouting ‘Come on Stu’ after having my name printed on my t-shirt at the expo on the Friday before in bright white obnoxious font! The support was at its loudest though whenever there was a pub on route with chants of ‘Stu, Stu, Stu, Stu!’ and ‘Stoooooo’. It was fun interacting with the crowd which generated even more support.“
“It was also amazing seeing some of the official Guinness Book of Records attempts such as a man running with a fridge on his back and an air ambulance paramedic running in full kit, including helmet! “
“Up to mile 21 I was feeling really strong with even a potential sniff of getting close to or matching my previous best marathon time. Unfortunately, the wheels started to come off around mile 23 and the last 5k was particularly hard with cramp creeping in, but the crowd helped giving me encouragement to continue“.
“I pulled it together for the last push down to Buckingham Palace and onwards to the finish for a time of 3hr 48:54.”
“Collecting the medal at the end I was absolutely spent and went into St James Park to lay down for a bit, but that was a big mistake as my legs just cramped up and I was literally rolling around on the ground trying to stand up! “
“Eventually, I got back to my feet to meet up with everyone to reminisce on an amazing day. It was an incredible event, with unbelievable support at every single point of the race and what’s more, I even managed to beat a few celebrities and the Hardest Geezer along the way, although I think he’s got a fair excuse!“
Stu
Leah Simms Incredible fundraising run:-
“Wow! What a phenomenal day. It was everything I expected and more. The build up at the start pens, the atmosphere, the crowds, the noise, the music, the support, everyone shouting out your name, seeing friends and family at different points and also randomly bumping into Andy Gomm but, overall it was very emotional, as running this event meant a lot to me for so many reasons”.
“As many of you are aware, my Dad unexpectedly passed away at 68 years young 3 1/2 years ago and he was a lifelong supporter of the RNLI. I therefore jumped at the chance to have been given the opportunity to run London Marathon and fundraise on their behalf. I reached and exceeded my fundraising target and have so far raised £3,043 which is incredible”.
“I was also working towards completing my London Classics and London Marathon was the third and final event and I fortunately managed to complete all three within a year”.
“Overall, I wasn’t running this chasing a time, I just wanted to take it all in, run at a comfortable pace, soak up the atmosphere, stop to hug all my friends and family who had come to support me and remember this day as something I thoroughly enjoyed. As I doubt I’d ever run it again”.
“My finish, moving time was 4:19:39, my chip time was 4:45:27. So, 26 mins of 2 x toilet stops, lots of hugging and photo stops and I don’t regret one thing. However, I did manage to get a new PB by 29 mins. I’ll take that”.
Leah
Next Glenn Parisi reports from his run:-
“So, after 16 years of trying to get into London marathon, I finally got in via the Tuff Fitty ballot”.
“My name was drawn so long ago I can’t even remember which year it was. Two, or was it three, roll overs later (covid / work clashes) I finally got my turn”.
“Ten weeks of working away on a ship wasn’t good preparation and so I arrived at the big weekend having run no further than 5k!”
“I knew it was going to hurt. Any expectation of a decent time had gone out of the window long ago”.
“So I set my renewed target at sub six hours and resigned myself to having to walk / stop multiple times!”
“Andy Gomm acted as lead cheerleader and supporter and drove me up to collect my number on the Saturday”.
“A big pasta dinner and night in a hotel followed and then on race day Andy safely delivered me to the start line”.
“Red starting pen was huge, but well organised and I even found a portaloo that wasn’t overflowing to quietly sit and contemplate life for a while!”
“I set off at 10 -10:30 minute mile pace and thought I’d just see how far I got before my legs went”.
“The noise from the crowds and supporters was unbelievable. I’ve done many big events around the world but never experienced support like it. It was relentless. Screaming, shouting, whistling, clapping, banging…. It didn’t stop for the whole race”.
“The miles and landmarks ticked by. By the time I reached Cutty Sark I was already thinking about taking my first anti cramp gel”.
“I’d seen Jon Babbage’s Spond post about the cramp fighting gels he’d used and so I’d ordered some. It was pretty runny stuff so I carefully peeled open the top and squirted it into my mouth. The coffee flavour I’d ordered turned out to be nothing like coffee. It was like drinking neat malt vinegar and I almost threw up on the spot (bloody Babbage!!).
When I saw Andy at mile 18 I hadn’t stopped or walked at all.
“I felt ok and so was determined to keep running for the whole race”.
“Miles 19 and 20 were a bit of a head f@ck cos my Garmin went all weird and recorded one of my miles as 6:09 mins. (I promise I didn’t take an Uber for that bit!!)”
“My legs went at around that point too but I managed to keep running and even overtook the bloke with a fridge on his back (so smug and proud of myself!!).”
“Two more “Babbage gels” later and I hadn’t had cramp (so maybe the rank taste was worth it!) and I managed to keep shuffling along thru to the finish”.
“4:56. Pleased with that!”
“Marathon no 40 ticked off”.
“Ten more to go til I stop all this malarkey!! “
“I’m already in the ballot for 2025…”
Glenn
Nina Tully’s London adventure completes our marathon reports.
“On the 21st March I had confirmation that I was heading to London on 21st April to be a support runner for one of the service users I support at West Sussex Mind. Heather had secured a place through The Richard Whitehead Foundation who were piloting a supported runner project for runners with disabilities”.
“Training hadn’t gone to plan for Heather and was causing her anxiety to escalate but to run walk London Marathon was a dream come true so the adventure began”.
“We were incredibly lucky to have Pinky drive us up on the morning to ensure a safe and calm arrival as well as our personal photographer at the finish and a safe journey home, honestly the day wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Pinky so Thank you so much”.
“To support Heather through the 26.2 miles was an incredible honour and certainly was not without its many challenges, I pretty much went into auto pilot as I had a lot to remember and do like reminding to drink, take electrolyte, fuel, ease the initial run pace as well as making sure she did not get knocked over or get separated to mention a few”.
“Around 11km in the decision was made and Heather chose to walk the rest of her Marathon, the day was cold and long for her but dream number 2 was pending…to finish on the Mall and we did at 8.24.16 one incredibly happy marathoner and I am so proud of her”.
“For me it still doesn’t feel real and that it actually happened! I am not quite mentally recovered but physically my body is all good with no blisters or soreness and as I write this it is day 172 of running every day :)”
Nina
STEAMING TO THE COAST
A different running event held in MInehead. Participants boarded the train from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. There were three distances to choose from with the marathon participants disembarking here and then the train returned to stop at Williton and Washford where the 11.5 mile or 11km runners miles started.
Debbie Boxall entered the 11.5 mile run which followed the Steam Coast Trail and the England Coast Path back to Minehead. It wasn’t an excessively undulating course and Debbie did well despite the difficult terrain comprising trail, tarmac, stones and sand
PARKRUN ROUND UP
We start at Worthing parkrun where Dave March was in strong form finishing in 20:14. Next Home Edward Lay on his 166th run. Sue Pinky was also on the prom completing her 131st run. Also thanks to Les Pearce on the volunteer team once again.
Littlehampton parkrun saw Colin Simpson as our first runner home with a very impressive 71% age grading. Steve Bridgeman also ran well finishing just 17 seconds behind Colin. Bob Rogers was another one to record a very impressive age grading 73.7% to take him onto 92 parkruns. Alistair Evans was our next runner home completing his 172nd parkrun. Well done to Chris Evans on the volunteer team.
Bognor parkrun was the venue for Clive Harvey for the four lapper around Hotham Park.
Well done to all ten.
