Amsterdam Marathon Hero’s
Written by: Paul Crisp
Date: 18/10/2022
As autumn sets in the days shorten, the air cools and we enter the sweet spot for running conditions with the continuation of city marathons and the return of cross country running.
With one eye on the weather forecast and another on their carbohydrate intake, our runners have been out in force again.
Parkrun
With cross country returning, numbers were down at the Saturday favourite. Emma Jenkins’s time of 35:34 was her fastest of the year so a great way to start the weekend.
Phoenix Steampunk Run
Not all events are there to be raced – some are for the sheer joy of getting out there, being active and having fun. Becky Hodgson, resplendent in clockwork-inspired regalia, covered the half marathon distance on the flat out & back 3.21 mile loops along the Thames tow path.
With as much stopping to discuss sartorial matters (that was quite a running outfit!) Becky completed her run in 3:43:38 and was rewarded with a real ‘keeper’ of a medal.
Kent Cross Country League
Cross country success is a mixture of hard running, determination, team spirit and loading the field with numbers. Swanley Park was the venue for the first league meet of the season but with so many XC regulars at other events, our remaining XC stalwarts and new recruits had to toe the line knowing the odds were not stacked in their favor; but still they went into battle.
XC is not for the faint hearted and respect to those that went out there and gave their all. The new recruits will already be battle-hardened from the experience and no doubt be back for more now they’ve tasted the sweet delight of the amazing A&D team spirit, and maybe some of the cakes on offer. We’ll be back, and next time we’re going mob handed!
Amsterdam Marathon
Alison Waters, nursing wounds from a fall in the week before, was doubtful to start but grit, canny pacing and an uplifting crowd allowed her to tough it out for a very respectable 3:44:03. Next home was Simon Jackson in 4:23:44 closely followed by Keith Lynn in a new personal best of 4:25:13 – great work Keith! Frances Hunt was not far behind Keith in a time of 4:38:34. Well done to all, a very worthwhile trip.
Chelmsford Marathon
At the smaller end of the event scale, and much closer to home, Paul Crisp made his marathon debut on the Essex countryside course. Having enlisted the help, guidance and advice of some of the club’s best marathon runners, Paul set a goal of breaking the three-hour mark on the undulating course, coming in with a finishing time of 2:53:59.
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