LIMBS were aching across Winchester and Eastleigh on Sunday night (April 13) as runners from the district returned from the London Marathon.

A large number of runners from Winchester and District Athletics Club donned their running shoes for the 26.2-mile challenge and achieved enviable times. Three runners - Toby Lambert, Phil Killingley and Andrew Greenleaf finished in less than two hours 30 minutes, with Mr Lambert being the fourth British male to cross the finish line and 19th overall. The 28-year-old, who lives in Alton, finished in two hours, 18 minutes and 40 seconds.

Joy Radford did the team proud as she came first in the women's veterans over 55 group and Jonathan Kane came fourth in the men's 65 to 69 category.

The 65-year-old, from Chilbolton Avenue, completed the course in three hours, 24 minutes and 51 seconds - 36 minutes faster than the expected speed for his age group. The retired grandfather-of-four has run the marathon nine times and gives talks on the race in between training four times a week.

He said: "My four-year-old grandson was watching the TV and kept asking why Poppa wasn't at the front!"

Jackie Ducker, from Egbert Road, Winchester, also represented the club as she completed the course in three hours 36 minutes and Ian Berry finished in two hours 55 minutes and 12 seconds, leading the runners from the red starting point.

Another member, Clare Warwick-Smith, was ecstatic when she crossed the line in three hours 59 minutes, having collapsed at 21 miles last time she took part.

She was "devastated" when she blacked out just over six miles from the finish line in 2006 and woke up in hospital but said she put her demons to bed this year.

The 44-year-old mum-of-two added: "I recovered physically quickly but mentally I am still cross when I think about it now - all that training for nothing.

"Sunday was a very emotional day for me - I was extremely nervous at the start but had determined that I wanted that medal so was very careful to start slowly and not push myself too hard in the first half. I saw my husband at 21 miles and burst into tears then started walking but soon recovered and when I ran past the St John's ambulance I shouted out to them that I don't need you this time!

"The elation when I crossed the line was incredible."

Fellow WADAC member, Steve Goodwin, who was not planning to take part due to a knee injury, changed his mind three days before the marathon and finished in three hours and 30 minutes.

The Teg Down resident said: "I could have deferred until next year, but I decided not to try and race it, but just to enjoy the occasion."

Two of the youngest participants were Jade Bowling, 14, and Rebecca Knapton, 12, from Henry Beaufort school, who both ran the last three miles after being selected to run for Hampshire in the County and London Borough's children's races and finished in exactly the same time of 18mins 49seconds.

Ben Andrews, from Oliver's Battery, beat his target time as he crossed the line in 4hrs 56minutes. The 31-year-old, who raised £3,000 for St Joseph's Hospice in London, said: "When you turn the final corner at the palace and race the final part you are greeted with a wall of noise from the crowds it simply defies belief. It's like you are gifted a new set of limbs and float over the line."

A foursome of friends from South Wonston and Bishop's Waltham competed together and said the highlight was running with the Masai Warriors at the finish.

Lynn Broadway, a music teacher from South Wonston, ran for Mencap and SIA and fellow villager, Clayton Mattia, did the same for Children with Leukaemia. Their friends, husband and wife team Paula and Chris Cozens, from Bishop's Waltham, ran for Juvenile Diabetes Research.

A policewoman based at Netley was also among those who completed the 26.2-mile challenge.

WPC Karen Wright, who lives in Totton, finished the course in four hours and 41 minutes. As it was her first marathon, she had expected to take between five and six hours.

She was running for Cancer Research UK, and raised around £400.

5:29pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

Print

Email this