On 21st April runners from all around the world took part in one of the most famous road races - the TCS London Marathon. Biggleswade AC are extremely proud of our two members, Ricky Byrne and Louise Pike who completed the 26.2 mile course through the streets of London. Ricky was running in aid of Kidney Research UK and to date has raised a fantastic £3k for the charity. His finishing time was 4 hours 27 minutes. Louise donned the blue and yellow vest again for her run, having previously run the London Marathon in 2021. Her time of 5 hours 59 minutes meant 13 minutes off her 2021 time which is a superb achievement.
We are also proud of our members who battled the elements to run the Boston (Lincolnshire) marathon and half marathon last weekend. The weather was truly awful - hypothermia-inducingly wet and cold - so the effort put in by Biggleswade AC runners must be highly commended. For member Richard Hill, Boston was his first marathon experience achieving a time of 3 hours 56 minutes - fantastic for a first attempt and all in despite of the horrendous weather conditions. Next in was Maria Merridan with 4 hours 57 minutes and Samantha Thorogood at 5 hours 35 minutes, who absolutely smashed her London marathon time from October 2021 of 6 hours 13 minutes. Running the half marathon distance was Giles Hawthorne, coming in at 1 hour 42 minutes and Lynn Hill 2 hours 25 minutes.
A special mention goes to another Biggleswade AC marathoner, Emily Varley, who took part in the Adidas Manchester Marathon earlier in the month. Emily put in an phenomenal run to come away with a PB of 2 hours 59 minutes, taking her under the 3 hour mark for the first time and 16 minutes off her result from April 2022. Emily's marathon PB follows on from her half marathon PB achieved in Cambridge last month of 1 hour 22 minutes. Both her 2024 marathon and half marathon times set new records for the Club over these distances for the Senior Women category. To read Emily's view on how the race went click here
If you feel inspired why not give Biggleswade AC a try! We are a friendly, supportive Club with a thriving road running section as well as offering track and field activities. Sessions take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus lots of socials and opportunities to compete at races/events. Check out Training Information for further details. And if you fancy giving the London Marathon a go but are unlucky to get in through the ballot, Biggleswade AC is allocated one entry each year available to a Club member wishing to run (based on certain criteria being met).
Photos below: Boston marathon and half marathon runners (Giles Hawthorne, Lynn Hill, Richard Hill, Maria Merridan and Samantha Thorogood) with support crew (Shani Giddings and Louise Pike)
