23/04/2017 - London and Madrid marathons

Race results


Another brilliant London Marathon weekend saw some excellent performance from Ivanhoe Runners. With seventeen runners in the big race, run in warm conditions, it was Ramzi Sidani who led the charge with a brilliant new personal best time of 2.51.28 to knock nearly a minute off his previous best also set in London. Not to be outdone, vet55 Alistair Chambers stormed round in 2.54.27 to finish 8th overall in his age category, an amazing performance. Ian Bolton was fighting to get under three hours and crack his personal best of 2.59.09, but in the heat just missed out on both, clocking a still excellent 3.00.55.

Andy Jeyes seems to get quicker with age, and his time of 3.18.39 was not only nearly two minutes quicker than his 2016 London time, it placed him a superb 6th in his v65 age group, a stunning run. Clare Fowell also had an excellent run despite her recent flyer in the Manchester marathon that earned her an England age group vest in the Chester marathon in October. Clare ran 3.21.42 to finish a fine 47th in her age category.

Andy Lindley was another Ivanhoe Runner coming off the Manchester marathon, and did well to clock 3.28.56 despite a mid-race wobble. No such wobbles for Hannah Knowles who set a brilliant personal best time of 3.45.59 to knock over 12 minutes off her previous best! Karen Bell also had Manchester in her legs but was pleased with 3.53.15, just ahead of another Karen, this time Karen Hartland clocking 3.55.42. Continuing the stunning runs, Lynda Revill clocked 3.57.54 to finish 26th in her age category, a great performance.

Tom Smith and Helen Smith ran the entire route together and the debut marathoners were delighted to clock 4.13.31, smiling all the way round. Amanda Bradbury had been a doubtful starter with a foot injury, but with charity money riding on her finishing, she battled it out and finished in 4.33.58, a well worthwhile run. Ian Kirk decided to celebrate his 50th marathon by running in the infamous gorilla suit, and in the heat suffered but finished in 4.49.14 to complete his fine half-century.

Janet Joyce has been inspired since husband Matt entered her for the London marathon ballot and proving successful, and the long training miles paid off as she clocked a creditable 5.27.02 on her marathon debut. Rachel Thurbon ran 5.33.57 and Diane Brocklesby 6.27.27 to complete a brilliant day for Ivanhoe Runners.

While most Ivanhoe marathoners completed London, Tim Sturla travelled to Spain to take part in the Madrid marathon, partly as celebration of a friend recovering from a serious illness. Running together in the Spanish heat and on the hilly course, Tim and Dave clocked an excellent 4.12.

Written by Kevin Sanders - last updated on 24/04/2017