Prince Harry meeting for Lydia after Invictus Games call-up

Peterborough and Nene Valley AC’s Paralympic star Lydia Church received an unexpected phone call last week, which resulted in her jumping on the Eurostar and travelling to the Netherlands to coach the British Invictus Games track and field team.

Church’s coach Jim Edwards was due to take charge of the squad, but went down with covid which rendered him unable to travel to The Hague for the event.

Edward’s assistant suffered the same fate and with a coach needed at the last minute the Loughborough-based 22-year old, who is herself a qualified coach, was given the opportunity to fill the role.

It was an opportunity which she jumped at, and one of the highlights to date was her introduction to competition founder Prince Harry.

Church will remain in The Hague for the duration of the competition returning home at the weekend.

Church won the silver medal at the 2021 World Para Athletics European Championships in women’s shot putt F12.

BOSTON MARATHON

Helpston Harrier Jim Morris completed his 20th sub three hour marathon with a 2:56.31 clocking at the Boston (USA) Marathon.

The 56 year-old Helpston Harrier began his fine run of form in 2013, and has raced all over Europe and the USA, with his best time of 2:46.02 achieved in Malaga in 2017.

Only once has Morris failed to go under three hours, when he finished an agonising nine seconds over in the 2015 Gran Canaria Marathon.

The Stamford-based athlete’s Boston adventure saw him finish 2,245th and 16th over 55. Morris ran a well paced race, going through halfway in 1:26.31 and running the second half in 1:30.00.

Peterborough & Nene Valley AC’s James Sadlier was also in action, finishing 4,478th with a time of 3:15.43.

Sadlier went under three hours in the 2021 Boston Marathon when he went round the Boston (Lincolnshire) course in 2:59.42. Both Boston marathons are run on the same day.

Eye Community Runner Kyle Balderson ran the Lincolnshire race on Monday, placing 113th in 3:16.48.

MIDWEEK HARRIER LEAGUE

The midweek Harrier League series returned to Lynch Wood after a two-year absence.

Peterborough & Nene Valley AC’s David Marr was first over the finish line in the 5km handicap race with a time of 22.42.

Barry Warne, also of PANVAC, clocked 20.54 for the fastest time of the night, while Yaxley’s Claire Piercy was the quickest lady with a time of 22.38.

The next race in the series takes place on Wednesday May 4 at 7pm with runners meeting at the Bauer Media car park.

Lydia Church.