London Marathon roundup
On Sunday 24th April the London Marathon was held and 8 Woodford men were involved.
First out was New Zealand paralympian Tim Prendergast. Tim (seen above captured by the BBC camera) was running it as part of the IPC World Cup Event and with a 1.14 half in the build up was hoping for a good time. Achilles trouble had flared up in recent weeks but Tim still ran a 2.46.46 (1.21.28 half way), a PB by around 40 seconds in his second attept, and came 14th place overall in the World Cup Event.
James Perry had a great run, beating his 3.13 personal best, but just missing out on his 3.05 aim with 3.07.32 (1.32.28 H/W). He caught up and helped bring in Daniel Mann, whose training has not gone to plan this season and after a good first half, Daniel found the second half tough going finishing in 3.08.48 (1.23.28 H/W).
Harold Wyber was on pacing duties for a friend's wife who was hoping to make the Hungarian Olympic team and he did a sterling job running 2.39.04 after a 1.19.53 half. We hope that she stayed the whole way with him and has made the team!
Simon Beedell, like James, will wake up on the Monday with a new marathon pb to his name after he knocked a full minute off, running 2.33.09 after doing a 1.16.21 first half - that is textbook running, Simon (shown above)!
M55 Alun Evans was running very well at the half-way stage (1:33.22) but, as so many do, he lost several minutes in the later stages, to clock 3:18.59.
And Woodford has a new World Record holder as Matt Gunby ran 2 minutes faster than Paul Martelletti last year to claim the fastest marathon done as a super hero. Paul had done it last year dressed as Spiderman while this year Matt was dressed as Wonder Woman, and ran 2.27.43 (1.13.00 H/W). Matt was running for an Alzheimer's charity and his page is https://www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Gunby2, his outfit is pictured on the page, so one can appreciate what a tremendous effort it was. Mention must also go to Woodford BAL higher claim man Paul Martelletti who managed to run a fantastic 2.17.26 at London this year, back in his normal running gear. It is good to see so many Woodford men at this most prestigious of races and going very well.
Elsewhere, Stephan Wenk won his first Swiss championship gold medal in the Duathlon after several medals of a lesser colour. Congratulations to Stephan!! You can read all about his achievement on the great man's own blog.
