Marathon efforts!!!

It’s a long way!!!
The new-year sees, at most times of the day, our footways occupied by runners of all shapes and sizes. Most are in training for spring marathons and members of South Derbyshire Road Runners are no different with as many as 23 runners planning to tackle the iconic distance at a wide variety of locations.
For many the training is winding down and the challenge started on Sunday with the Asics Manchester Marathon. Alun-Lloyd Thomas and John Morgan were the Club’s entries here and both have been in excellent form in the early part of the season and their terrific PB performances of 02:51.22 and 02:52:48 confirmed they can reproduce this form on the big day.  For both runners it will not be the end of the marathon efforts with both scheduled to run the reincarnation of the Birmingham Marathon in October which, for Alun-Lloyd will be his 6^th marathon and for John his 9^th, including the notorious Manchester short course in 2014..
The most popular marathon though remains the Virgin London Marathon and 10 of the Club’s athletes are scheduled to take part in this year’s race on 23^rd April. Shane Chapman secured his entry through a ‘good for age’ performance at last year’s race. This will be Shane’s 3^rd marathon after running his first, the Shakespeare Stratford Marathon, in 2014. The ‘good for age’ route is also the way Mark Harriott has gained an entry. Mark is one of the Club’s most experienced marathon runners having previously run 53 at different venues, including 12 marathons in 12 months in 2012. London won’t be the end of Mark’s marathon efforts as he is also scheduled to run the Trail Marathon of Wales, the Berlin Marathon in September and the marathon element of the Outlaw Triathlon as part of a relay team. Nigel Atkins has rekindled his love for running and this year he’ll be tackling the London Marathon on behalf of Mountain Rescue England and Wales. Of all of Club’s London entrants Barry Saunders is probably facing the race with the most trepidation having been plagued for some times with Achilles problems that have left him with the runner’s dilemma of whether to run or not. The race will be Barry’s 3^rd London and 9^th marathon in total. Reigning Club Men’s Champion, Chris Pearson was awarded one of the Club’s entries and London will be his 2^nd marathon after tackling the Coniston Marathon in 2014. Simon Reynolds is likely to gain the most air miles in April as he is scheduled to tackle the famous Boston Marathon on 17^th April then London on the 23^rd.  By far the Club’s most experienced marathoner is Tony Phillips who is running London this year for an osteoporosis charity. The race will be Tony’s 83^rd marathon and his 19^th London Marathon. He is planning following this with Rennestieglauf 72km ultra marathon in Germany and also the Gloucester and Robin Hood Marathons later in the year. The indefatigable Tony is planning to join the exclusive 100 marathon club in 2019’s London Marathon.
One of the main contributors to the current running boom has been the number of women getting involved. This is reflected in the Club’s women participants in London with Jenny Laing gaining qualification to the championship element of the race, which will be her 15^th marathon and her first since the birth of her second child in July 2016. This won’t be the end of Jenny’s marathon efforts in 2017 as she is also planning on tackling the Robin Hood and Snowdonia Marathon’s later in the year. Nikki Reeves is also scheduled to tackle both London and Berlin with her London efforts being on behalf of Sarconna UK in memory of a friend. For Becky Moult London will be her first marathon and, she honestly admits, potentially her last. Carolyn Ife is one who said never again after running the Stratford Marathon in 2015 but is excited to be running this year’s London as a new WV50.
The in-form Rob Eaton will be running the Paris Marathon in April, which will be his third. Like many local runners he’s also scheduled to compete in the Birmingham Marathon in October. Paul and Tracey Glover are also planning on tackling Birmingham, which will be Paul’s second and Tracey’s third. David Lunn is also scheduled for Birmingham after tackling Wolverhampton in September and possibly the Valencia Marathon in November. Jenny Tattersall is also travelling abroad as she tackles the Stockholm Marathon in June.
Roads and the standard 26.2 miles are not the only endurance targets for the Club’s runners. Andy Windle is planning on tackling the 69 mile Hadrian’s Wall Ultra in June, the Stour Valley Ultra 60 in August and possibly the National Forest Trail 75 miler in September. Lisa Wright and Dave Eyre are tackling ironmen challenges with Wright targeting Iron Man Wales and Eyre Ironman Lanzarote. Hannah Wintrip and Christian Glover are also doing marathons at the end of a spot of swimming and biking as they take part in the Wales Long Course triathlon. 
Last but not least Steve Leafe, who is in good form at present, is facing a unique Charity Challenge between 14^th and 21^st May called ‘Footprints for Footprints’. He’ll start with the Ripon 10 mile trail race, spend 6 days walking the Dales Way with the final challenge the Windermere Marathon. Steve’s unique efforts are on behalf of Footprints Orphanage in Kenya, which was opened by a former resident of Burton on Trent in 2010, and now provides a home for 30 children in one of the poorest countries in the world. More information can be found on the website www.footprintsorphanage.com. Good luck to each and every one of them.