Manchester Marathon, 27th April 225

It may not have been as hot in Manchester as it was in London, but it was still a bit too warm for this marathon running malarkey! So well done to anybody who completed the course, including 3 of our own – Yana Bevan, Liz Denyer and 2nd claim Dave Nolan.

Thanks to Liz for this excellent report of her marathon experience:

“Despite having (too) many years of running under my belt I had never taken the marathon plunge. Like many others I have unsuccessfully entered the London marathon ballot many times – knowing that this wasn’t really a commitment to actually running 26.2miles! After yet another rejection I got hooked in by the Manchester marathon’s marketing…..who needs London anyway come and run in Manchester.

Feeling completely out of my depth – I downloaded a training plan and followed it to the letter! My main (only?) aim was to get to the start line without getting injured. It was definitely tough fitting in all the running, cross training, work, and general family life – walking a mad cocker spaniel for a few miles and then going home and looking after the kids after putting in a 20 mile run on a Sunday morning was….tiring. But somehow I loved it. The very best bit of the training – and maybe the whole marathon experience – was the camaraderie and support from my fellow Claremonters. Some training for marathons, others just joining in with long runs for fun. I honestly couldn’t have done it without you all!!!!!

And on to the actual day…..as above my training had gone to plan. Also my tapering had gone to plan, my fuelling had gone to plan, I was well prepared. But what I couldn’t control was the weather!!!!! After all those months of running through ice, wind and rain the weather gods decided marathon day – London and Manchester were on the same day – was the day to begin a heatwave. My heart sank as I kept checking the weather app and hoping for a change. But it was not to be.

From the moment I started running in the sunshine I knew I had to really pace myself. At around three miles in I was chuffed to get a tap on the shoulder and a hello from Yana – the only other Claremonter running the race. We had a little chat and off she went. She looked very strong!! I then found the 4hr15 pacers and decided to stick with them. And stick with them I did. For another 15 miles. It was great to have a pack of us running together. I was enjoying it, the pace felt great despite the heat. And then at mile 18 I managed to trip over a water bottle. I think I was probably a bit dizzy from the sun and so it was a spectacular fall – cutting both legs and hands. I was so embarrassed I got up and ran another couple of miles before I realised how much it hurt! But by this point I was 20 miles in, I couldn’t and wouldn’t stop now. It was getting hotter and hotter. There were people being taken unwell all over, more than one ambulance passing, many had slowed to walking pace. Those last few miles were a real battle. At mile 24 my husband called my name from the crowd and thrust a lovely cold bottle of Lucozade (other energy drink brands are available) into my hand. I stopped to cry and tell him about my knees – he simply said ‘Stop talking to me and keep running’. And I did. And I finished. And it was the hardest race I’ve done. And yet…..I loved it!!!

I feel I should mention the supporting crowds. They were amazing. Spraying us with hoses, buying water, drinks and ice from the shops and handing them out to runners. Almost comparable to the hospitality of the folk of the North East on Great North Run day – but it would be disloyal of me to say that so I’ll say not quite as good!!

And to circle back round to the moral of this tale – “all runners should join Claremont Road Runners” – from as soon as I’d finished  the messages of support I received from fellow Claremonters were amazing, and managed to quell a (slight) disappointment in the way the race had finished and the impact of the heat on my finish time. Very well done to Jana, Jenny and Holly who also ran marathons on the same day.”

It was also Yana’s first marathon, and this is how she summed it up:

“Spent 86 hours running 793.41 km in training for the last 17 weeks and all the pain was worth it! A very hot one but first marathon is under the belt.”

You did brilliantly, Liz and Yana! As did Dave – you are all a credit to the club.

Position	Runner	Time
2694	Dave Nolan	3:23:32
10289	Yana Bevan	4:14:12
12803	Liz Denyer	4:28:35