Marathon efforts in rain and drizzle
Maidenhead Athletic Club: Members complete virtual London Marathon
This year’s London Marathon was like no other before it, but despite the official event being cancelled, many thousands took up the chance to complete 26.2miles virtually earlier this month.
Maidenhead Athletic Club members ran their own marathon, on their own course, but had their time recorded on the official London Marathon App.
Some 11 MAC members took on the challenge. They were Shazia Ahmad, Jen Andersen, Jo Barnett, Sarah Brown, Marc Dellasega, Anthony Hall, Sayeed Islam, Dean Kelly, Mags Maton, David Pearce, Clare Talbot and Mel Tudor. Some ran individually, others in small groups, and some split their race into smaller loops so they could be accompanied and supported by fellow runners.
No one could have predicted just how awful the weather would be. Torrential rain across the weekend had left many of the runners’ routes waterlogged, forcing a change of route at the last minute. But despite this they completed their challenges.
Sarah ran to raise money for AngelmanUK and to raise awareness of Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes physical and learning disabil
ities. She and Clare were supported on their marathon by groups of five or six runners and, to date, Sarah has raised £1,800. You can donate here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiser- Page?userUrl=SarahBrown42&pageUrl=12
Despite the atrocious weather Mel still managed to complete her marathon as planned and was grateful to the support she received from MAC members. She was accompanied on her first run, a scenic half marathon by Jen
Frances, Ellen Eastern, Jon Oliver, Neil Muir and Sam Warren. The route would have been equally suited to a swimarathon, but that didn’t dampen their spirits. She headed out later in the day with ‘cross country Caroline’ to complete a speedy 10k and after lunch she went out running again, a
5km loop around Pinkneys Green with Leila Oliver. Finally, she repeated the loop with members of their families to finish alongside Sarah Brown’s team. In total, she completed just over 26.2miles with 16 different running companions in a time of 5hours and 57minutes.
Shazia discovered many of her usual running routes were underwater but refused to be put off by a little wet weather. She layered up and set off at 9am, finishing nine hours later. She’s entered into the ballot for next year’s race.
Dean Kelly’s 26.2mile run wasn’t plain sailing either. Two flooded roads meant he had to detour across the grass and boggy fields. He was supported by his son, and MAC junior member Ben, for the last 5km and was delighted to finish in under four hours, despite the lack of training.
Members Anuskha Howell, Jeanette Sanderson, Julie Whitaker, Linda Szulc and Peter Oldham completed the Maidenhead Boundary Walk earlier this month, which is roughly equivalent to a half-marathon.
The course, which they walked anti-clockwise, was extremely muddy in parts and they met ‘equally bedraggled but cheery walkers’ as they went on their way. Unlike those completing the Virtual London Marathon, they were also able to pop into a pub half-way round.
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mac-running to sponsor them.