There was a large turn out from Ivanhoe for the 34th London Marathon with 23 runners and plenty more who made the journey down in support.

Kev Wright, Victoria Smith, and Nick Lee-smith, were three of those who were running London for the first time. For Victoria it was also her first marathon and all three had a few nerves in anticipation of the big event while going through the motions at the ExCeL centre to collect their numbers. Fortunately Kev and Ian Bolton found a bar and enjoyed a very expensive pint! This would have also been Ian's first marathon, but he had to withdraw after picking up a stress fracture and this was the first beer he'd had since the start of January! (and quite possibly also his last one until next years marathon!)

Along with the Newbies there were also a few massively experienced London marathoners present in Alistair Chambers, Brian Gough, and Andy Jeyes. Alistair had just recovered from injury and was not expecting to do his best on this occasion, but he should still never be betted against on the sweepstake!

On race day itself the sun came out and so did the sun tan lotion for those who had remembered to bring it. The weather reminding us all just how difficult it is to train for a spring marathon after months of constant wet and windy weather, but come race day it is a calm 20°C.

Despite the heat Ramzi was first finisher for Ivanhoe dipping under that magic 3 hour mark again with an excellent time of 2:59:41. Steve Baggott was next in 3:07:42, disappointed that he did not join Ramzi in running under 3 hours after been ahead of him for 18 miles and after his 2:08 at the Ivanhoe 20.

Next in was the ever consistent Alistair Chambers in a time of 3:17:27, followed by Kev Wright who was very pleased with his excellent 3:25:41. Within touching distance of Kev was first lady Clare Fowell who threw off everyones sweepstakes by smashing the 3'30 barrier with a time of 3:26:34. A brilliant performance which we may be reading more about if she writes an article in the next newsletter! The final sub-3'30 runner for Ivanhoe was the impressive Andy Jeyes who achieved it in a time of 3:28:34. A time that someone half his age would have been proud of. It also meant that he finished 8th in his category or a performance on equal scale as Mo Farah! Just missing out on a sub-3'30 time were Richard Fluck, Becca Hallam, and Ian Kirk with times of 3:30:35, 3:32:41, and 3:34:41 respectively. Perhaps on a cooler day all three would have gotten under, especially after Ian reported that he ran a half mile over the 26.2 miles according to the GPS!

Richard Bebbington was next running to raise money for wishes 4 kids in a brilliant time of 3:40:42. Also raising lots of money for charity was Nick Lee-Smith who raised over two and a half thousand pounds, and despite not been able to run much due to injury ran it in 3:45:33! Ladies captain Laura Graves was seconds behind in an excellent time of 3:45:44 which is her third diamond standard time this year. Laura had written the pace times down on her wrist to remind her what she needed to be under at each split for the diamond time so just as well it didn't rain! Lynda Revill was just seconds behind Laura and also smashed her diamond time with a 3:45:51. Well done to both ladies.

Easily within 4 hours was Karen Bell with a great time of 3:49:47, and finishing just 9 places apart were Heather Swan and Victoria Smith in 4:06:42 and 4:06:44. A brilliant performance by Victoria in her first marathon and well under her estimated time of 4'30. Carolyn Osborne was next back in 4:18:31 followed by Emma Kirkland who just dipped under 4'30 with a time of 4:29:13. Both ladies doing well after recovering from injury. Esther Barsby led another group of ladies back in a time of 5:21:33 with Ellen Charles and Kelly Finney just behind in 5:23:29 and 5:37:24. Brian Gough received another finishers medal to add to his collection in what he says will be his last London (so we'll see you again next year Brian!) with a time of 5:50:06. Leading the rearguard action for Ivanhoe today was Laura Harvey in a time of 6:17:08. Well done Laura.

Gallery

Here is a collection of pictures that were taken on the day or in the days leading up to it. Click on an image to expand it.

Written by Ian Bolton - last updated on 01/05/2014