Heathside's Parisians spark spring marathon fever

Anthony Hall and Alex Weatherill launched the Spring marathon season in fine style in Paris on Sunday. Cheered on by Heathside’s one man support squad (Tom Aldred), Anthony shattered his previous PB (set only six months ago) by more than eight minutes, crossing the line in 2:47:44 – and, clearly, there are even faster times to come. “I tied up a lot at the end so not quite what I had hoped for,” he said, “but generally pleased with the overall outcome.”

Alex who was running as part of the Asics Target 26.2 programme with Runner’s World, made an eye-catching marathon debut of 2:53:13. You can catch him in this month’s edition.  James Lynch also made an impressive debut (3:14:14) and commented afterwards: “What a brilliant day – loved it.”

Three other Heathsiders completed our six-person Parisian contingent.  Kevin Gadd, usually a 2:45 marathon man, was 45 minutes off the pace with a time of 3:30:17, Norman Smith (who is also planning to run London in two week's time)  came in much quicker than he expected, in 3.27.50 , while Claire Thornhill crossed the line in 3:50:19.  Regular marathoner Simon Clarkson also ran a PB in what was his 12th marathon.  

And (just heard - late addition thanks to Jacob and Gabi) Steve Brookes came first in the Blackpool Marathon in an amazing time of 2:37:16. He was running in his Tipton vest, but, what the hell, we'll claim him.

 Meanwhile, record numbers of club members are completing their 26.2 preparations, ignoring those niggles and loading their carbs for the next phase of the Spring marathon season. We’re now in the final fortnight before the London Marathon and the final five-day countdown before Brighton and Barcelona, with a scattering of other British, European and African marathons coming in May.

Our women come first in Victoria Park (probably)

It was partly for this reason that a surprisingly large contingent of 24 Heathsiders turned up for what for several will be the final tune-up before London: the Victoria Park Open 5 miler (pictured). Facing a high quality field our runners excelled, with the women’s team possibly taking top honours (team results have not yet been confirmed). 

According to’ Power of 10’, 13 of our runners achieved PBs (although for some it was their debut five miler and several others may be heard muttering, “I think you’ll find my five mile time in the 10k is significantly faster”).

Sarah Swinhoe was the first Heathside woman home, pulling ahead of Tony Killilea to run a PB of 29.34, followed by Leigh James (30.56) and Cathy Collins (Jeremiah), who was in fine form, running a PB of 32.44. Colette Monahan was the fourth Heathside woman in 33.38.

Julian Ferraro led the men home with a comfortable PB of 27.46. Miron Woldemichael and Gavin Evans swapped places for three miles, before youth was served in large doses and Miron dug in his spurs and galloped through the field over the final two miles, ending up with a PB of 28.44 – 37 seconds ahead of Gavin.

Several Heathsiders won individual prizes. Julian was the 3rd V40, Gavin the first V50, Sarah, the 2nd V40 woman and the fifth woman overall, Barbara Tomaszcyk was the second V50 woman (in 38.49 – the same as her Perivale time) and the indomitable Norbert Read, 68, was the first V65 in 39.25 - he was thrilled to win his first ever running trophy!
 
Meiklejohn on track for sub-3

Stuart  Meiklejohn ran a promising half in the Paddock Wood on Sunday, in a time of 1:23:41 (which shattered his previous PB by more than seven minutes). This clearly puts sub-3 well within his sites – and don’t let him tell you otherwise. 

Jo and Gabi do the double

Jo Irwin and Gabi Johnson went for the double this weekend . VP 5 followed by a very early start (minus 2 degrees when they left home)  for the London Fields Spring Aquathlon . Two races in 24 hours..... and they both thrived. Jo was the 9th woman in the aquathlon and the 3rd V40 while Gabi, whose putting-on-shoes transition was one of the quickest in the race (26 seconds), was the fourth V40.

Elinor in Chiswick

 Another late flash: Elinor East ran 1:32:22 in the Chiswick Half.

Hellard wins Richmond Parkrun

A record contingent of 20 London Heathside members took part in 20 Parkruns on Saturday. The best of the bunch was Dave Hellard who beat 183 others to win the Richmond Park event in 18:02 – part of his training routine for the Sierra Leone marathon on May 26.

Victoria Park Open 5 mile, April 6 (204 finishers)

28. Chris Norris - 26:58
40. Julian Ferraro – 27:47 (3rd V40) (PB)
60. Miron Woldemichael – 28.44 (PB)
63.  Nick Bishop - 29.07
66. Gavin Evans – 29.21(1st V 50)  (PB)
71. Sarah Swinhoe – 29.34 (2nd V40, 5th woman) (PB)
79.  Tom Fancett 29.50
89. Tony Killilea – 30.06
95. Leigh James – 30.56 (PB)
114. Cathy Collins – 32.44 (PB)
121. Colette Monahan – 33.38 (PB)
125. Katherine Vinnicombe – 33.54 (PB)
128. Fiona Alston - 34.31
129. Caroline Boyle – 34.35 (PB)
131. Jane Higgins - 34.44
138. Tom Bedwell – 35.09 (PB)
141. Jo Irwin – 35.57
142. Robert Bowler – 36.00 (PB)
143. Gavin Parish – 36.05
162. Barbara Tomaszcyk – 38.49 (2nd V50 woman)
163. Di Gardiner – 38.52 (PB)
167. Gabrielle Johnson – 39.14
169. Norbert Read – 39.25 (1st V65)
191. Steve Woolf – 42.53
198. Terry Vickers – 44.41 (PB)

Paris Marathon, April 7 (38 690 finishers)

290th Anthony Hall – 2:47:44 (PB)
503rd Alex Weatherill – 2:53:13 (debut)
4345th James Lynch – 3:14.14 (debut)
4305th Kevin Gadd – 3:30:17
7544th Norman Smith - 3.27.50
10721st Simon Clarkson - 3.43.26 PB
12 221st Claire Thornhill – 3:50:22
(note: positions are on gun time, not chip time)

Blackpool Marathon April 7
1st Steve Brookes - 2:37:16
 
Paddock Wood Half, April 7.
Stuart Meiklejohn – 1:23:41 (PB)

Chiswick Half, April 7
Elinor East - 1:32:22
 
London Fields Aquathlon

58th Jo Irwin 34:41 (9th woman, 3rd vet): 400m swim:  9:58; 5k run: 23:10
85th Gabi Johnson 38:26   (21st woman, 4th vet): swim: 10:14; run: 27:46

Parkruns, Saturday April 6

 Ally Pally (35 participants)
10 Charlotte PHEAZEY 00:23:08
15 Steve BUTTLING-SMITH 00:25:13

Bushy Park (744 participants)
168 Usman HASAN 00:22:45

Finsbury parkrun (140 participants)
24 Carl Andrew HEAP 00:20:57
41 Elspeth STORRAR 00:22:30
66 Sarah ILLINGWORTH 00:24:45
68 Jayne SALES 00:24:50

Gladstone (65 participants)
13 Nick DE SAUSMAREZ 00:20:58

Hampstead Heath (97 participants)
16 Andy BARTHORPE 00:22:12
21 Andrew SULSTON 00:23:08
23 Mary GATEHOUSE 00:23:17
32 Andrew Simon CONWAY 00:24:29
55 Bob GOULD 00:26:37

Highbury Fields (76 participants)
20 Jake Leon Justin LEE 00:22:50

Mile End (51 participants)
6 Brian BOYLE 00:20:05
11 Luka MELON 00:21:21

Porthcawl (134 participants)
22 Stuart AMBLIN 00:20:30

Pymmes (13 participants)
4 Marco MASERATI 00:21:25

Richmond Park (184 participants)
1 David HELLARD 00:18:02

Wimbledon Common (287 participants)
15 Paul LEMMON 00:19:32