Boston to London via Madeira (and Manchester)
- brian17harris
- 18 hours ago
- 8 min read
We have a bumper report this week, with more pictures than usual, so Dorian Matts has kindly offered to report on the track and field events separately. Look out for that tomorrow.
To not show any obvious favouritism, the week's results are reported in chronological order
The week itself was bookended by two of the Abbott Marathon Majors - Boston on Monday and London on Sunday. {Ed. has anyone from the club done both in the same week? Last time I ran London there were very "keen" people there doing that double}.
BOSTON MARATHON
Boston, which as those who’ve run it will testify, is definitely not a flat course, even having a named “heartbreak hill” towards the end. So it is even more astonishing that overseas member Sophie Chudley, running for the Sydney club “Run Crew”, knocked an amazing 16 minutes off the already impressive 3.03.39 she ran for the club at London only one year ago.
Her time of 2.47.33 placed her 4th in her age-group in an international quality field, and looking at her great pacing and splits it wasn’t obvious where the hills were - certainly not at the end where she had enough left for a very fast last mile. For comparison, her finishing time was also only 2 seconds slower than the club's all-time 10th man (as of when Roman Steps went to press). And age-graded, a fraction under 90%. Congratulations on an outstanding run Sophie.
Joyce Matthews was our other member braving the hills of Boston, and whilst she did lose a few minutes towards the end, especially Heartbreak hill, she still finished with an excellent new PB (according to Power of Ten) and (she may not know this yet) comfortably broke one of the very few club records surviving from the 1990’s – 3.49.10 by Ruth Fulford in 1996.
Joyce also managed to meet up with Sophie (see photo below), although I’m not sure whether that was before or after her (Joyce's) well earned post-race meal of burger and fries...... twice ;-))
Her travels after Boston took her to Nashville who also put on their own marathon this week. She says she was tempted, but wisely stuck to just the one in a week.
Congratulations on the Club Record and PB Joyce!
21 April 2025, Boston Marathon
1 John Korir (Kenya) 2.04.45
1801 Sophie Chudley (Australia, Cirencester AC when in UK) 2.47.33 – 4th FV45
13868 Joyce Matthews (Cirencester AC) 3.32.26 Club FV50 record
PARKRUNS
On Saturday, Cirencester Parkrun saw around 20 members turn out to witness several different celebrations :-
· As pointed out by the ever-humorous Race Director Derek, Parkrun fanatic Phil Davey went to town with the full works to celebrate his 500th Parkrun – helium 5 0 0 balloons, a champagne balloon on his back as he ran round, a large cake plus a huge batch of “Phil 500” themed gingerbread men (made by Rachel McAdam) for sharing with all the runners.
· Sam Timms also got a round of applause from the assembled masses for her unofficial 100th Parkrun at Cirencester, squeezed in before she and husband Paul went up to London to do their annual marathon marshalling.
· More under the radar, Alan and Rachel McAdam ran their 563rd Parkrun but their first since making Cirencester (Parkrun) their home.
It can’t be many parkruns that have four runners on 500 or more?
In decent conditions (dry but not too sunny or hot) 17 members ran, 1 walked and 3 volunteered (Paul Edrich, Helen Manners, Jos Randall).
Both first man and first lady home were from the club - Rich Allen in a new PB of 18.20, whilst Kate Jacobs (without Jessica this week) wasn’t far off her own PB with 19.57.
At Chippenham, James Hunton continued to make progress after a lot of time out last year and did well to finish inside 30 minutes for the first time since 2022.
Ollie Campbell scored another win at Beckton – same location as this time last year since he was again manning the London marathon timing mat at 30km.
Rob Forbes, after reporting a “commando” fall on the first lap, had to settle for 2nd in Cheltenham but still in a fast time of 17.30, only 15 seconds off his PB from 2023.
Cirencester: 1 Rich Allen 18.20 PB, 5 Kate Jacobs (1st lady) 19.57, 8 Casey Vatcher 20.41,24 Martin Croucher 22.12, 38 Neil Broadley 23.47, 56 Rachel Ranger 25.20, 57 Paul Timms 25.23,72 Nicola Woods 26.18, 73 Rachel McAdam 26.23, 77 Gordon Jones 26.39, 91 Phil Davey 27.36,93 Alan McAdam 27.38, 100 Brendan McCarthy 27.57, 150 Samantha Timms 30.29,152 Jonathan Higgs 30.38, 182 Kirsty Leggate 32.36, 183 Rachel Jones 32.37,221 Brian Harris 37.16 (sadly, walking), 270 finished.
Swindon, Seven Fields: 60 David Moss 26.05, 182 finished.
Cheltenham, Pittville Park: 2 Rob Forbes 17.30, 657 finished.
Chippenham: 138 James Hunton 29.43, 241 finished.
Three Brooks, Bradley Stoke, Bristol: 207 Ruth Fulford 33.41, 278 finished.
Beckton, London E6: 1 Ollie Campbell 17.18, 225 finished.
Bolberry Down, Salcombe: 25 Annabel Campbell (J) 26.46, 46 Simon Campbell 30.53,71 finished.
White Lick Creek, Indianapolis, USA: 4 Tom Morgan 25.48, 16 finished.
MADEIRA ISLAND ULTRA TRAIL
“Madeira Island Ultra Trail will provide an exciting challenge, across the island, from sea-to-sea, in the Northwest-Southeast direction, starting in Porto Moniz, at sea level, with passages by the highest points of the island, then again to sea level, in Machico. A journey that will transport the participants imagination to other times in which the soul of Madeira was not overcome by the vicissitudes of the orography of the island.”
This was ultra partners Lara Thompson and Jo Roberts’ latest challenge, on Saturday morning. They chose the 55.8km route option with over 3,300m (almost 11,000ft) of elevation.
They kindly interrupted their day-after sangria-sipping to send in this feedback.
"The first 6 miles went from sea level to 1800 m up steep rocky tracks and that set the tone for the rest of the race! Once we were above the clouds the sun shone but then we went back down through the forest into the mist. The downhills were definitely worse than the ups! Lower down, the lavadas were scenic but scary - a very narrow path with a steep drop on one side. Not one for the faint hearted but one epic adventure!"
1 Konstantinos Paradeisopoulos (Greece) 5.24.29
351 Jo Roberts (Cirencester AC) 7.21.44
352 Lara Tompson 7.21.44
377 finished www.miutmadeira.com
MANCHESTER MARATHON
Organisers of the 2nd biggest marathon in the UK decided to hold it 2 weeks later than last year and chose the same day as the biggest one, London. I guess those losing out in the ballot could still get to run and maybe train in synch with their buddies doing London?
As last year, we only had one club runner at Manchester, and it was again a strong cyclist who also runs.
Andy Duff only “saw the light” last year, so this was his first marathon. Having picked up a calf injury just after a tough Fission 20 mile race, he was relieved just to be on the start line.
He reports he was going well to around 18 miles when the lack of recent training started to show over the last third of the race. Nevertheless he held on for a great debut time, particularly given the temperature, of 3.24.34, with lots of lessons learned for next time…..
Congratulations Andy.
THE REVERSE LONDON MARATHON
Jos Randall started at 1 minute past midnight on Sunday morning to run the marathon course in reverse. The roads have to be closed well ahead of the start time which gives you the chance to experience the course without a pesky ballot, but also without the crowd support or much daylight. We asked Jos for some tips in case anyone is interested for next year
"If I did it again 🙈 I’d definitely sign up for the virtual London marathon to give you the incentive to keep going through the long dark streets of Greenwich and Woolwich. Tip 2 don’t get to London until late and save some energy for the long trip back to central London afterwards. 🤣 there were about 500 to 550 that ran it. Everyone was very jolly but if you can go as a group then I think it would be more exciting. I used Stasher.com for dropping my bag in Victoria which was a great tip.
Oh and I’d wish I’d left a garden chair and blanket with my rucksack so I could catch up on some sleep before watching the official marathon. The atmosphere in London was fantastic. 😁"
THE (FORWARDS) LONDON MARATHON
Falling a week later than last year, the weather was far from ideal for running – full sun from the off and forecast temperatures around 20C, well above the 15C usually identified as the max before performance starts to suffer.
Last year the club had 10 runners (setting 3 age records), but this year only 5 made it to the start line, an achievement in itself {Ed. – I’m really not just saying that}
Only spotted competing once a year post-covid times, Chris Miller, in his first season as a V50, was running his 13th London marathon. He reports that it was indeed pretty warm, and that he didn’t pace it as well as usual. He was not too disappointed to just miss the 3-hour milestone this year with 3.00.47, but as an older man ;-)) will easily qualify for a GFA place next year. He still has the enviable record of running all his marathons (including Boston) faster than 3 hours for a 14-year period stretching back to 2010.
Mike Hobbs was third time lucky in securing this year’s place – he just missed out on qualifying as good for age in both London and MK marathons last year, and then lost out in a fairly small club ballot in the Autumn to Gary Wood. Determined to run the big one again, he managed to secure a charity place (Children with Cancer). After quite a lot of trouble with his calf muscles during the training block and a lot of training on his road bike as a result, he was quite happy with his 3.14.53.
New members last year, Scott and Claire Mould were also running (together) for charity, following on from Scott running the Newport marathon 2 weeks ago. After a slightly quicker first 5k, they settled in to a sensibly even pace, maintained well past the 20 mile mark, only slowly a little over the last few miles in the heat to finish in 5.00.01.
Gary Wood was awarded this year's club place in a small ballot, giving him the chance of a change of scene from his usual Chester. Gary's wave started quite late, so it was already warmer than for the earlier starters (he posted photos of people queuing for ice fairly early on). Whilst he set off at a similar pace to Scott and Claire, he found the heat was too much and had to start walking from mile 18. But very importantly he didn't quit, and crossed the line in 5.47.26. Well done for toughing it out Gary.
1 Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) 2.02.27
3051 Chris Miller (Cirencester AC) 3.00.47
5315 Michael Hobbs 3.14.53
36402 Claire Mould 5.00.01
36403 Scott Mould 5.00.01
47200 Gary Wood 5.47.26
TBA finished www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk
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