Category: News

Annika’s 3rd Athens Marathon triumph

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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!

Inside the stadium.
Inside the stadium.

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

Clapham Runner collects 3rd race trophy of 2014 & Battersea 10 mile race report

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Congratulations to Serena who collected her THIRD Women’s Vet 60s trophy of 2014 with a time of 1.46.24 at the Self Transcendence/ Run and Become Battersea 10 mile race on Saturday 25th October. Also running were Damian (1.08.35 and the 33rd finisher across the line) and Siobhan (1.39.38 and 20th in WU50s).

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Race results are photos are here: http://run.runandbecome.com/event/london-race-10m-251014/
There’s a few club runners signed up to the next event – and the last of 2014 – a 10km race around Battersea Park on Saturday 29th November at 8.30am. Sign up here: http://run.runandbecome.com/event/london-race-10k-291114/

(Member blog post) Royal Parks Half 2014

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I have a new favourite half. The route, the atmosphere, the impeccable organisation, the indescribable sound of 16,000 pairs of trainers setting off and of course that sense of achievement. Why do I run? Days like today.

 Maybe it’s that I’ve lived in London that bit longer. This was my third Royal Parks, but this time, every corner, every turn held a memory. I felt so proud to be running in my home town. There is something magical about running past Big Ben and Parliament, along a traffic-free Thames, through Admiralty Arch, down the Mall, not to mention the parks themselves. On a crisp, sunny, autumnal day, the golden colours of the last seven miles in Hyde Park were simply stunning. I wish I’d had my camera! Read more →

Capetown Marathon 2014

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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! Rachel Cape Town 2014

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/

(Member blog post) Muddy passions

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Well, that’s another pair of trainers and set of kit that’ll never grace the streets of London again.

Actually, if the truth be told, although the ‘after’ photograph at the bottom of this post doesn’t really show just how muddy and wet I was at the end of the race (top tip: always wear black), the fact is that the kit didn’t even make it onto the train home from my latest adventure race, and the trainers are really only fit for one more extreme outing before they’ll have to follow suit into the dustbin. Read more →

Thames River Relay 2014

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Damien and Damian handover for the red team
Fiona’s sprint finish for the red team
Clapham Runners – the red team and the green team

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!

                 Green       Red
Position      19             30

Time           3:19:36     3:27:52

Predicted    3:19          3:30

Cotswolds 100 mile run!

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Huge congratulations to Rachel who completed a 102 mile ultra marathon along the Cotswolds Way Trail!

The Cotswold Way is a beautiful 102 mile national trail running from the picturesque town of Chipping Campden in the North to the stunning Georgian city of Bath in the south. En route the trail passes through stunning and quintessentially English countryside, beautiful Cotswold stone villages and along the majestic Cotswold Hills, and you camp inbetween at Runners Villages.

The event took place from the 8th – 11th August. For more info and to be tempted to sign up yourself, see http://www.100milerun.com/

A blog is promised soon – keep an eye out!

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Virgin London Marathon 2014

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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

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