Seniors SHINE in Spring Marathons
It is the spring marathon season and many ECH members have been hitting the miles hard since January in preparation.
Five ECH athletes stayed local in Manchester on Sunday 19th April and enjoyed the home support. Conditions were good and were set up for fast times. Callum Parkinson was first home with a solid 2.51.53, just 30 secs behind his PB. All was going well for a 2.48 but stomach issues later on in the race stopped him in his tracks, but still a brilliant effort. Next home was Katie Kay who had been selected to run for England in her age category and did them proud running a new PB of 3.08.14, amazing! Hayley Simson was gunning for a new PB and a sub 3.20 and she made this happen powering home in 3.19.29. Second claim athlete Charmayne Brierley had a strong run to finish in 4.19.20 and not far behind was new ECH athlete Shauna Saunders who did brilliantly in her first marathon clocking 4.31.32.
Katie Kay in the England vest - an amazing achievement!
The Boston Marathon took place the day after on Monday 20th April (Patriots Day) and Mr Marathon Man himself Andy Sykes made the long trip over to the USA to take on the Iconic oldest marathon and to gain his 5th major star out of 6. The course is tough, with a fast first half followed by a tricky hilly second half with the famous heartbreak hill at 21 mile. Andy ran a solid race to come home in 3.04.50. Incredible Andy, well done!
Andy Sykes enjoying the Boston crowd - what an experience!
Five ECH athletes made the trip to the Capital the following week for the Iconic London Marathon on Sunday 26th April. Conditions again were good, however the sun shone which made it difficult conditions for athletes. Matthew Smith lead the team home running an 11 second PB coming home in 2.40.11. Steven Broadbent wasn’t far behind after suffering with an injury in the last few weeks managed to battle round in 2.43.23. One marathon wasn’t enough for Katie Kay and was completing her 2nd marathon in 7 days! Katie was selected to compete as part of the Puma Project 3 team and had another consistent run coming home in 3.13.18. Hassan Ahmad a relatively new ECH athlete took on the marathon challenge and clocked a very creditable 3.30.30. ECH coach and long standing member Glenn Piper decided to give the marathon another go after doing London 43 years ago! Glenn soldiered round in the heat to finish in 4.55.43.
Matt Smith (Left), Glenn Piper (middle) and Katie Kay (right) at the London Marathon Expo.
Well done to all and enjoy the much needed rest!