Yesterday I ran the London Marathon. It was an amazing, brilliant, wonderful experience. I loved it. I’m still grinning.
The Clapham Runners’ cheering spots at miles 14 and 21 could not have been better placed – I needed those cheers. In fact the support since deciding to run another marathon has been unreal. I had emails, texts and calls wishing me luck, motivating me, convincing me I would smash it. Read more
It was as a native Mancunian that I was requested to report on this race I was running, my latest attempt to break 3:30 over the marathon distance. It was however, as a non-native Mancunian that I ran it, what with being from Blackpool (sort of). Still, it is Lancashire and whilst the locals might not agree, it is the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club and therefore part of God’s own county that is Lancs.
The Brighton Marathon took place along Brighton sea front, with blue skies and 10s of 000s of runners. Congratulations to Ellie and Susan, who loved the 2014 event so much they had signed up again!
Susan took 5 mins off her time to storm to a new PB with 4.39.24, and Ellie repeated her sub 4h with a stunning finish in 3.38.55. Well done both of you!
Read the official race recap here
Lucia and Gillian have joined the 1% club after their debut in the 2015 Paris Marathon – congratulations ladies!! The undulating route, 19 degree sunshine, and the 41,000-strong field, made for tough conditions but nothing could stop these two – they ran together until the sprint finish, both finishing in sub 4h44. Amazing performances!
Gilly and Lucia’s joint blog on their first-time marathon experience in Paris here – it’s an inspiring read (in our view) and full of useful tips for anyone thinking of signing up next year. Read to be inspired!
Read the official news reports here
As a club we will have one guaranteed entry for a club runner – it’s names out of a hat in December. A reminder that to be eligible you must:
The public ballot entry system for the 2016 London marathon opens on Monday 4th May (time tbc) – last year it closed after < 12 hours, so keep an eye out on the VMLM website for further announcements. In the meantime… less than one month to go for our marathon runners!
There was talk at training last night of the Edinburgh Marathon (31st May) and the Islay Marathon (Sept 20th)
So we arrived in Athens at the peak of summer (last June) and I was already down to run the Athens marathon in November. A big worry for me was how I would manage to do my long runs in the middle of the summer. They couldn’t be done at night, as there is nowhere I can run long distances safely in the evening near my home. So there had to be some daylight…. Read more
Congratulations to Annika on an amazing 4h 02m 47s – a fantastic PB, especially given the hills and 25 degree temperatures. We love this finish line picture – carrying son Niko the last 150m to the finish line – definitely worthy of a Runners World magazine cover!
It’s fantastic to hear how our Clapham Runners are getting on all over the world (we miss you as a regular at training – come back and see us soon!). Annika is a regular blogger on our site, sharing her personal highlights and challenges… and truly capturing the emotion of a triumphant finish line moment. Read Annika’s blog on her training and 2014 race day here…. or go back a couple of years and read her past blog on her 2nd Athens Marathon in 2011 here!
This year, a new course record was set by Kenyan Felix Kandie (2h 10m 37). The Athens marathon course is of course where it all began – the original marathon being run by a news-bearing foot soldier from ancient Athens, who announced – with his last words – the victory of the Greeks against the Persians during the Marathon Battle in 490 BC. The route follows much of the 2004 marathon route.
To read about the history of the course… or to be tempted to sign up for November 2015 (will Annika be back?!) see http://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr
Not content with a championship time for the London Marathon back in April … or the 102 ultra marathon in August … Rachel embarked on a third marathon challenge of the year at the end of September, with fiance Phil. Congratulations guys! 
A real destination race, the Cape Town marathon takes you through the City of Cape Town and into the leafy Southern Suburbs, under the shadow of Devils Peak you will run past landmarks such as the pristine Liesbeek River, The Rondebosch Common, the Newlands Cricket ground, Groote Schuur and the University of Cape Town. Turning back towards the City and under the majestic Table Mountain you venture into District Six and the City Centre of Cape Town. You will have the privilege to meander past some of the most Iconic Cape Town landmarks: the Castle of Good Hope, the Cape Town City Hall, the Houses of Parliament, the City Gardens, St Georges Cathedral, and the Nederduitse Kerk to mention but a few. You will experience the vibe, smell the sea and hear the sounds of Cape Town along the Fanwalk and the Sea Point Beach Front. Experience the views of the Twelve Apostles, the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island before you turn back toward the Mouille Point Lighthouse and the head towards the Cape Town Stadium. The marathon finishes under the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain at the Green Point A track.
For more info, visit the website: http://www.capetownmarathon.com/
Clapham Runners entered two teams for the Thames River Relay, an annual baton relay 26.2 mile race around Kingston and Surrey. It was a great team effort from both the reds and the greens, finishing 19th and 30th from the 51 teams taking part – and a brilliant day out! Huge thanks to Frank and Steve for organising so that we were at the finish line to see our teams finish!
Time 3:19:36 3:27:52
The sun was shining for the 2014 Virgin London Marathon, with seven Clapham Runners joining the 35,000 runners for London’s best road race, cheered on at miles 14 and 21! Congratulations to Damian 3:36, Rachel 3:14!, Kathryn 3:54, Amanda 3:57, Niamh 4:06, Anthony 4:14, Frank 4:34
Congratulations to our three Clapham Runners who all set PBs in the 2014 Paris Marathon – Siobhan 5:00:09, Sarah 4:07:36, David 3:29:50 – that’s timing for you!
Clapham Runners 